Stillness, Standing, Awareness

Standing Training in Chinese Qigong and Martial Arts
Stillness, Standing, Awareness, Rooting, Relaxation, Discipline, Nature Mysticism

 

"If I had to choose one qigong technique to practice, it would undoubtedly be this one. Many Chinese call standing meditation "the million dollar secret of qigong." Whether you are practicing qigong for self healing, for building healing ch'i, for massage or healing work on others, standing is an essential practice.  Acupuncturists feel that by practicing standing meditation they can connect with the ch'i of the universe, and be able to send it through their bodies when they hold the acupuncture needle ... Standing is probably the single most important qigong exercise.  One of the reasons that standing is such a powerful way to gather and accumulate fresh ch'i in the body is that during the practice of standing the body is in the optimal posture for ch'i gathering and flow."
-   Kenneth S. Cohen, The Way of Qigong

"The most basic method of training is zhan zhuang.  Zhan zhuang is an exercise common to many Chinese martial arts, including Taijiquan.  Usually, the practitioner stands with the arms held as if holding a large ball.  However, the zhan zhuang exercise can be practiced using any of the end postures of the Taiji form.  During "standing" practice a static posture is maintained for a period of time while using just enough strength to maintain the posture.  ...  Benefits of zhan zhuang include deep relaxation, strengthening of the legs, and increased internal qi.  The first requirement is to have a calm mind.  This can be achieved in a number of ways - for instance, concentrating on the Dantian, paying attention to one's breath, or silently counting.  Through standing practice, emphasis is place upon developing awareness of maintaining the most efficient and relaxed structural alignment necessary to hold the position.  Prolonged practice, along with enhancing postural awareness and tranquility of mind, greatly develops the strength of the legs.  When the legs are strong and can bear weight firmly, then the upper body can relax and sink down into them, making the top more flexible.  ... Taijiquan requires lightness and sensitivity in the upper body.  At the same time, the lower body should have a feeling of extreme heaviness and connection to the ground.  This feeling is often compared to a large tree with deep roots.  While the branches move and sway in the wind, the trunk is solidly anchored by its roots."
-   Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim and David Gaffney, Chen Style Taijiquan, 2002, p. 106.

 

Secrets to Living Younger Longer: The Self-Healing Path of Qigong Standing Meditation and Tai Chi.  By Michael Mayer, Ph.D..  Orinda, California, Body Mind Healing Publications, 2004.  Index, bibliography, 281 pages.  ISBN: 0970431066.  This book has a companion instructional video/DVD called "Body Mind Healing Qigong." Website:  Body Mind Healing.  VSCL.  Good coverage of standing meditation and Animal Frolics exercises.  

Warriors of Stillness: Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts.  Volume 1.  The Teachings of Grandmaster Cai Song Fang.  Qigong Qi of the Center, Essence of Taijiquan.   By Jan Diepersloot.  Walnut Creek, California, Center for Healing and the Arts.  Glossary, 226 pages.  ISBN:  0964997606.  A study of Wu Ji meditation and its T'ai Chi Ch'uan applications.     

Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body (The Tao of Energy Enhancement.  By Bruce Kumar Frantzis.  Illustrated by Husky Grafx.  North Atlantic Books, 1993.  Second Edition.  174 pages.  ISBN: 1556431643.

"Zhan Zhuang: What Really Happens When We Stand?"
By Mark Cohen
Qi: Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness, Volume 23, No. 4, Winter, 2013-2014, pp.36-44.

Inside Zhan Zhuang: First Edition  By Mark Cohen.  MSC Creative Enterprises, 2013.  258 pages.  ISBN: 978-0988317888.

Standing Meditation
By Mike Garofalo.  Resources, Bibliography, Links, Methods, Quotations, Comments.  

Qigong (Chi Kung) by Mike Garofalo