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On May 11, Judith Guttman wrote: > What you describe, Norm, is the second part of Crane Qi Gong, which > is what I was taught. > > The first part is a six-set series of motions designed to make one > aware of balance and to restore chi balance. Actually, there are dozens of Qi Gong styles. What I described is a very general exercise commonly seen at some point in most styles. Having practiced and taught Qi Gong (and Chinese martial arts) for over 20 years, I've cataloged nearly one hundred individual Qi Gong exercises taught in the U.S., not including family systems and modern variants developed in Chinese hospitals. The Chinese government officially recognizes over 1500 styles of Qi Gong. Crane Qi Gong is a popular style found in many U.S. cities. It is taught here in San Diego as well, along with Tao Tan Pai Qi Gong (Share Lew's system), Hua To's "Frolic of the Five Animals" and others. I have taught a subset of the 31 exercises of Tao Tan Pai Qi Gong to two people with Parkinsonian disorders, and Hua To's Frolic to a few others in groups. The exercise I described in my earlier post is the first exercise of the "Frolic". Of the three students that have stayed in touch with me over time, all report that the practice of Qi Gong has been very beneficial to them, in both qualitative and quantitative ways. Aside from any discussion of Chinese philosophical and medical theory on what Qi Gong is and does, what I think is important to many people in our modern times is that Qi Gong gives structure to that oft-heard directive to "get some exercise." It is a sophisticated approach to developing the health of the body through breathing, movement and meditation, which is yet easy to learn and practice. One need not "believe" in Qi Gong, or Qi for that matter, to benefit from these exercises. If those in the San Diego area are interested in forming a group to learn and practice some Qi Gong, drop me an email and we'll see what we can put together. Norm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norman Kraft INET : [log in to unmask] Traditional Chinese Healthcare or try : [log in to unmask] 2150 Fourth Avenue or even: [log in to unmask] San Diego, CA 92101 Join the Oriental Medicine mailing list! Ask me how... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------