What is Wuji Qigong?

Wuji Hundun Qigong, is a 1,200-year-old health maintenance system from China handed down by 95 year-old Master Duan Zhi Liang of Beijing, China. Drawing on Taoism, Buddhism, the Wuji form conforms to the basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which in fact sprung from Qigong concepts that go back 5,000 years. Like all Qigong in this way, the enhanced movement of Qi (life-force, bioelectric vitality) is promoted throughout the body as well as the storing and strengthening of Qi for good health. TCM believes stagnant Qi leads to all pain and disease. Proven useful for healing many diseases, this simple style actually has it's roots in ancient wushu swordplay and gong fu (Kung Fu) inner cultivation of Qi--as useful for the healer as it is for the warrior...and soon we understand how they are one in the same…

Wuji Hundun Qigong is a unique blend of inner (Nei Qi) and outer (Wei Qi) cultivating techniques. Master Duan comes from the practical "old school" of healing arts. He believes a practitioner must also be a teacher. A healer must be a warrior. An intellect must pursue the arts. Our prayer is to seek balance…and we seek balance by letting go of "form"…and seek the essence of all things.

The Mandarin Chinese word "hundun" can best be described as "chaos." The intention of Wuji Hundun Qigong is to consciously introduce chaos into our experience. I once met Nobel Prize laureate Ilya Prigogine who explained his prize-winning theory. He said, "All evolving biological systems must reach their maxim state of perturbation (chaos) before they take the quantum step up to their next higher state of order." He knew nothing of Qigong (consciously) but understood what Master Duan knew intuitively. All our destructive patterns are steeped in the locked and stagnant habits of our lives. Until we can "break" or change those patterns, we are forever trapped and our growth--and health--is limited. Introducing chaos, mixing things up a bit energetically, can promote our natural healing abilities to engage. Even momentary shifts from our patterned "safe zones" can provide us conscious, and unconscious perspective shifts.

Outwardly, Wuji Qigong is an exercise and stretching system, focusing on synchronizing the breath with slow movements and guided visualizations. Upon deeper study, the transformative nature of this health maintenance modality becomes apparent. Balancing the Taoist and Buddhist traditions of China, Wuji Hundun Qigong seeks to strengthen the body (the mandate of the Taoists) while enhancing spiritual life (the essence of the Buddhist doctrines.) Ultimately, a merging of the two takes place, not intellectually, but through "wu xing" or deep, emotional understanding. Written and oral teaching can only seek to trigger and stimulate you, the true wu xing must come from within--as the truth derives from nature and is constantly accessible. Through cultivating your inner Qi and spirit, you become strong, not as an "individual" against the world but as an integral part of the world; a mirror reflecting light…Sincere practice with an intention to remain receptive is the key…as we come to realize the holistic nature of Wuji Qigong will effect the body, mind, and spirit. 

When all aspects of our life are embraced and brought into balance--from our diet to our daily activities--Qigong's true benefits will emerge. The accompanied reduction in stress will allow our natural healing abilities to work efficiently and we will begin traveling the path of true healing and well being.

May the stretching and opening forms of this style of Qigong, which is equally influenced by the Wushu Martial Arts and Wei Qi healing techniques, help you to remember the natural gifts and tools you possess. May you remember that each time your palm (Lao Gong Pericardium 8 acupoint) passes over various points and meridians on your body, you are contributing to a chaotic "shift" in Qi flow. This process helps to rebalance stagnation and blocks (the source of all pain and disease.) This process also helps us to cultivate our sensitivity to the subtle forces of Qi…and to bring our conscious intent to where it is required. As the old Chinese maxim states, "Where the mind goes, Qi follows." May we always remember the resonant relationship we have with the world around us.

Peace.

Taken in part from Qigong - Essence of the Healing Dance by Francesco Garri Garripoli.

Qigong for Energy and Qigong for Healing instructional videos, performed by Francesco and Daisy Lee Garripoli, are now available. Please click here.