Qigong Self-Healing, Tui Na Massage, Xingyi Quan: Which Combination is Right for Me?
The Path of Qigong Self-Healing Mastery
Seekers of self-healing tools and spiritual/energetic practices will be captivated by Qigong. This practice focuses on going deep into the primordial essence of our being and strengthening our connection to life force and health. Qigong is a healthy, gentle exercise that anyone can learn and benefit from. It takes practice over time to truly master, but with dedication you’ll gain powerful new skills:
- Synergize perfect posture and refined coordination into graceful movement
- Connecting mind and body
- Mastering mindful breathing
- Cultivating blood and Qi for robust health
For non-martial artists, Qigong is a wonderful way to experience many of the health benefits of Tai Chi and Kung Fu without the striking and kicking. It’s a blissful, peaceful choice for building vibrant energy.
For martial artists, Qigong can level up your body awareness, coordination, and recovery from injuries and hard training sessions. Specific Qigong practices can even improve your striking and throwing power.
Tui Na Massage and Qigong Go Hand in Hand
The ability to care for and heal your loved ones is one of the most rewarding aspects of learning Tui Na Massage. Being able to effectively help your family and friends with your Tui Na Massage skills when they are in pain is wonderful. If you’re studying a traditional martial art, incorporating Tui Na Massage can enhance your understanding of the body and energy flow.
For Tui Na Massage practitioners, learning Qigong Exercise can enhance your massage skills in several ways:
- Qigong builds your movement skills, structural awareness, and joint alignment to prevent injury to hands or arms when you give treatments and makes your treatments easier and more effective
- Qigong exercise maintains your energy levels and prevents burnout
- Abundant personal Qi, vibrant health, and focused mind from Qigong leads to better treatments
Tui Na therapists and other bodyworkers can greatly benefit from incorporating Qigong into their practice.
Xingyi Quan Kung Fu
Xingyiquan Kung Fu or “Form and Will Boxing” is a famous style known for its:
- Striking power
- Simple yet profound movements
- Connections to Chinese medicine, philosophy, and Tui Na massage
Learning the entire Xingyi Quan system is the largest commitment and most challenging of the three healing paths because it literally includes both Qigong Exercise and Tui Na massage in its fullest expression. The key aspects of Xingyiquan include:
- Stance
- Strengthening exercises
- Breathing
- Posture
- Power development – Synergy
These create fantastic Tui Na massage experts, as many Tui Na techniques seem to spring naturally from Xingyiquan martial techniques. However, merely starting the Xingyiquan instructor’s course without learning Qigong Self-Healing Mastery or Tui Na Massage can still provide enormous benefits. Xingyiquan martial artists benefit from Tui Na massage in two key ways:
- Receiving treatments and caring for others
- Developing acute sensitivity to joints, tendons, muscles, and bones, which enhances their joint-attacking techniques
The Interconnected Practices
Learning even a little of any of these three practices – Tui Na Massage, Qigong Healing Mastery, or Xingyiquan Instructor’s Course – can have a tremendous impact:
- Tui Na knowledge enhances understanding of any type of Kung Fu, Tai Chi, or Qigong
- Basic Xingyiquan Kung Fu empowers and enriches Qigong practice
- Qigong energizes and improves Tui Na massage skills and sensitivity
Ultimately, the three practices are deeply interconnected. While mastering all three is a significant commitment, even starting with one can have far-reaching benefits. Consider exploring which single course or any combination resonates with you most. Or just “Yee-Haa” and start all three!!