Qigong and Neigong
Wang Jiwu’s 16 Longevity Exercises
The reputed Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Wang Jiwu, created this series of exercises in the 1930s to serve as a front line therapy at his busy clinic in Beijing. Distilled from the centuries old method of xingyi quan the Longevity Exercises artfully combine physical movement with intention to stretch and “clean” all the joints of the body while balancing the energetic system and remaining easy to learn and easy to practice.
We consider this system to be an essential hygiene, like brushing your teeth and washing your hair. The morning sessions are not a “class” in the normal sense, the routine is the same everyday, and students of all levels practice together. Instruction is given on an individual basis.
The exercises can be practiced seated if standing is not possible and can be augmented with a separate series of exercises designed to be performed lying in bed for those in convalescence from illness or injury.
For those who have interest the morning practice of the Longevity Exercises is followed with the foundational practice of the art of xinyiquan. While the Longevity Exercises are expressly easy to learn so that they are accessible to everyone xingyi is an art and thus requires the sincere interest and the engagement of the student. The art of xingyi is concerned with a meticulous study of being upright while standing and moving and the relation between mind and matter in our beings.
The study of xingyi is grounded in the study of pugilistic arts that is, boxing skills.
The morning sessions are best described as a profound moving meditation. There is no violence but partnered interaction is required.
North American Tang Shou Tao Association (NATSTA) membership is not required for this class.
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Gao Yisheng Baguazhang
We are proud to represent the Liu Fengcai lineage of Gao Yishengs Baguazhang. This is the bagua of Gao Yisheng as taught to us by Liu Shuhang, grand nephew of Liu Fengcai and current head of the Cheng Pai Gao Shi Bagua Zhang School in Tianjin, China.
Our Bagua consists of neigong exercises to open and strengthen the body, circle walking skills, the “pre-heaven palms” for the development of gongfu and health cultivation, the 64 “post-heaven palms” for the development of fighting skills and a variety of weapons forms and skills.
Students are welcome to choose the focus they are interested in, to develop any or all of the five attributes of Gao Yisheng’s bagua.
NATSTA membership is required for this class.
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Liang Zhenpu Orthodox Baguazhang
Liang Zhenpu Baguazhang comes to us from Li Ziming who studied with Liang Zhenpu, who learned from Dong Haichuan, the founder of baguazhang. In 1989, Master Li appointed Vincent Black as president of the United States branch of the Li Ziming baguazhang family. Working closely with Master Li, Mr. Black coordinated the English translation and publication of Master Li’s commemorative treatise on Liang Zhenpu Eight Diagram Palm.
The North American Tang Shou Tao Association continues to promote and preserve this sophisticated system of baguazhang in Canada and the United States.
The system contains circle walking with a focus on both short and long-range fighting, and fast changes in direction. There is also emphasis on foundational exercises meant to create a basis for the more complex circular, linear and weapons forms that come later in the curriculum.
NATSTA membership is required for this class.
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Shen Long Xingyiquan
Shen Long Xingyi is the system passed to Vince Black by Master Hsu Hongchi of Taipei, Taiwan.
This system is a modern synthesis of many branches of Chinese gongfu found in Taiwan in the decades following the communist victory in mainland China.
Designed to take students from basic martial posturing through to skill and understanding of the subtleties of internal boxing the Shen Long system uses training methods from shaolin, xingyi, bagua, white crane, judo and jujitsu to lead the student to the practice of xingyi’s Five Fists and Twelve Animals.
The method is highly efficient in correcting faulty movement patterns and instilling fundamentally sound patterns. As such it forms the foundation of our therapeutic exercises and of our bodywork methods.
A large component of the Shen Long system is qigong applied to strength training, expect to sweat and to be challenged.
NATSTA membership is required for this class.
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Rou Shen Xingyiquan
This style of xingyi comes to us from Li Guichang, who in his lifetime was recognised by his peers as being at the pinnacle of martial arts practitioners. The forms come to us first through Li Guichang and then more directly through his son Li Runxi and Vince Black, the founder of NATSTA. This style of xingyi is characterised by the pursuit of a ‘relaxed’ or slackened physical and mental state during practice and is truly beautiful in its lightness and fluidity.
NATSTA membership is required for this class.
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Taijiquan
Taijiquan (or tai chi chuan in the Wade–Giles system of translation) is one of the three most recognized Chinese internal martial arts, along with xingyiquan and baguazhang. The historical origin and development of taiji is difficult to pin down, though it is generally accepted that it originated in Chen Village in the province of Henan, somewhere in the 17h century. Today, it is represented by a number of family styles and forms. Each style or school can focus more or less on self-defense techniques, partner response drills, and improving health.
Direct benefits from regular taiji practice range in the following, among others:
- heightened body awareness and intention of movement;
- active relaxation (relaxation during movement);
- strengthening and flexibility;
- natural and freer breathing.
The taiji practiced at the Montreal Gongfu Research Center falls into the sphere of Yang-style, which originated with Yang Luchan. It has a strong focus on the practice of push-hands as a method for skill development.
The Taiji 37 form is a simplified version of the widely practiced Long Form of Yang family taiji. Cheng Manching developed it to reduce the amount of repetition and amount of time it takes to go through, making it easier for students to learn, and allowing them to focus more time and energy on the refinement of each movement.
NATSTA membership is required to practice this art with us. Contact us to find out about classes going right now or planned workshops (not marked on the schedule page).
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San Miguel Eskrima
A Filipino blade-oriented style and the child of Filemon “Momoy” Cañete, co-founder of the well known Doce Pares Club.
Our San Miguel comes to us through Vince Black, who studied under Grand Master Momoy. The primary teaching tools are rattan stick and dagger. The art focuses on constant and efficient movement, and low stances for power and stability. This art is complete in and of itself, but can also be a stepping stone to learning and researching other forms of armed combat.
NATSTA membership is required to practice this art with us. There are no classes offered this season.
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Jingluo Qigong
Jingluo Qigong is a modern Qigong designed through the experience and artistic creativity of Dr Li Ding. Dr Li was originally trained in western medicine, but after seeing the efficacy of Qigong in keeping people healthy through long cold winters in northern China, he became fascinated. He travelled around China, meeting with masters of Qigong, Medicine and Gongfu, learning from the principles of proper practice. He then devised his Jingluo Qigong, which is brilliant in it’s simplicity and effectiveness.
In the practice of Jingluo Qigong, the bodies entire channel system is addressed from beginning to end, while at the same time the movements open the joints, invigorate the blood and re-enforce the fundamental movement patterns that maintain health.
As a learning tool for students of Chinese medicine studying the channel systems, this method of study is without peer. As a method of health maintenance and Qi cultivation, it leaves nothing to be desired. It is a truly wonderful gift that Dr Li has given us.
Jingluo Qigong classes run for twelve weeks once or twice a year. Please contact us at info@montrealgongfu.com to find out when the next session will be held.
NATSTA membership is not required for this class.
Write to info@montrealgongfu.com for information on the next courses.
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