If you write a blog I am sure you know how hard it can be creating fresh new blogs without any feedback from your readers. Luckily, that is not the case with my lovely readers, who helpfully ask lots of questions and feed me future blog posts. One of our regular readers asks;
I have done Qigong before, how is 12 Precious Cloths Qigong different from the rest?
The answer to your question is that there are literally thousands of versions of Qigong, but many of them are derived from just a few major routines with a twist to make them appear to be different. Not all Qigong routines are born equal, with some giving a great deal more than others. These major routines I would divide into division One or division Two.
Division One Qigong routines are very potent and give a lot of energy for the time taken on them. Division Two Qigong routines take as long to do without giving the same reward, at least in my opinion. How did I come to this conclusion, simple I tried them? Earlier in my career I spent decades collecting different forms of Qigong to see what the differences were and whether I preferred some more than others.
Division One Qigong
Of these 12 Precious Cloths Qigong is a classic Division One Qigong routine. It is a classic old school form of Qigong – like a vintage wine or classic Rolls Royce it has grown more valuable with age. 12 Precious Cloths is derived from the Shaolin Temple – but don’t let that fool you; there are very strong elements of Taoist Qigong too.
The Effects of 12 Precious Cloths Qigong
I learned this routine when I was eighteen years old and it made an instant impression on me, especially as I was the only person in the school who learned it. It made me feel stronger, healthier and much more clear headed. I was training hard in the martial arts six days a week and picking up injuries, as you do, with that level of physical activity. After training in 12 Precious Cloths I healed very quickly and recovered just as fast after exertion. My teacher at the time only knew one way of training and that was hard. I would travel to Central London from South London to train and in the process catch the London underground. Many times I remember falling asleep with the only thing holding me up was my staff. But the next day I would be raring to go again.
Microcosmic Orbit
If you have read more than one book on Qigong you will probably have heard about the legendary Microcosmic Orbit. It is quite often talked about in hushed tones as something only known by a few and achieved by even less. The Microcosmic Orbit is when you build up enough Qi so that you can circulate it through the main meridians of your body freely. We want to dispel this myth once and for all on our weekend retreat 24th & 25th, March when I will endeavour to help everyone achieve the microcosmic orbit.
Balancing the Qi
If you are training hard physically you need to be doing some form of Qigong to balance the activity. As the hard training takes it out of your body the Qigong puts it back in again. You must also remember that stress can deplete your system. You can become used to high stress situation, so much so, that you aren’t even aware that you are feeling the effects any more. Your immune system may, however, disagree with you and show signs.
If you are not training to that extent, this Qigong’s powers of recuperation are probably even stronger as you are not taking anything out of your system and still putting energy in.
That’s enough about 12 Precious Cloths Qigong, suffice to say that I am a great fan and anyone I have ever taught it too has enjoyed its great benefits.
OK that’s enough from me, have a healthy week.
Kind Regards,
John Hine
