The Transformative Power of Yi Jin Jing Qigong: A Journey to Inner Strength

In the realm of qigong, a practice rooted in Chinese culture and aimed at cultivating energy and vitality, the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) form stands out as a potent and transformative exercise. Yi translates as change/transform, Jin refers to the muscles/tendons/sinews, and Jing means classic or sutra. Originating from the Shaolin temple, Yi … Continue reading The Transformative Power of Yi Jin Jing Qigong: A Journey to Inner Strength

Chat GPT and Tai Chi

I asked Chat GPT, "write a blog about tai chi" and here is what it came up with.... Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Chuan, is a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is a gentle form of exercise that involves slow, flowing movements and deep breathing. … Continue reading Chat GPT and Tai Chi

History and Benefits of Chen Tai Chi

Those who are new to tai chi may well not realise that there are several different styles, some of which can look and feel very different.    At the end of the day, if the style is taught well, the benefits are pretty much the same but you may want to spend some time investigating … Continue reading History and Benefits of Chen Tai Chi

Tào Lù and the Platonic World of Forms

套路 - tàolù Taolu is the pinyin romanisation of 套路. In this context 'tào' is a classifying word for anything regarding sets or collections of things, 'lù' is a journey, road, path. In English we speak of martial arts forms, sets, routines. The Japanese term 'kata' is often used also. Plato was of course the … Continue reading Tào Lù and the Platonic World of Forms

Martial Qigong

Welcome to another edition of the weekly White Crane Online blog. Over the past few weeks we have been exploring topics in and around the theme of Taoism. Last week I introduced the core concept of Qi (if you missed it, you might want to read it here first) and I explained a little bit … Continue reading Martial Qigong

Spring and the Wood Element

In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we are now heading into the Wood element and this changing of the season from winter to spring brings with it a renewing of energy, a rebirth and a new beginning.   Spring always gives me a (for want of a better word) spring in my step and … Continue reading Spring and the Wood Element

Thoughts on Training and Travel in China

I have been meaning to write down some thoughts about my travels in China back in December and January but as the year has got off to a light-speed start, and we suddenly find ourselves entering the tail end of February, it feels as though a travelogue is a little late already from a trip … Continue reading Thoughts on Training and Travel in China

Qigong

Okay so let’s get the two most important and commonly asked questions out of the way first: What does it mean? How do you say it? You will see it translated as ‘Energy Work’, ‘Energy Cultivation’, ‘Working with Energy’, ‘Energy Life Cultivation’ - and other similar terms. It is often difficult to directly translate ideas … Continue reading Qigong

Benefits of Cross Training in Tai Chi

This blog post is reproduced from our sister site White Crane Online - where you can learn Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation online...   Whilst Tai Chi is a wonderful activity to integrate into your life, there are – apparently – other things that people enjoy doing – so I am told! 🙂 For many … Continue reading Benefits of Cross Training in Tai Chi