Kui De Tang

The exercises are characterised by slow movements, mental concentration and often self administered massage and thus incorporate the training of both body and mind. Resulting in the strengthening not only of the muscles, heart and lungs but the psychological and emotional states is also enhanced, harmonising the balance between body and mind. They are often given to patients receiving Chinese Massage, Acupuncture or Herbal Therapy in order to speed up the rehabilitation process. They offer a means of relieving tension not forgetting their effectiveness in improving physical fitness and general well being in children, teenagers, the middle-aged and the elderly, the young and the old.

The different types of Chinese Exercise are outlined below all of which will help to promote one’s health as well as increase physical strength, improve blood circulation, correct poor posture, increase flexibility and relax both body and mind.

Qigong:
Qigong is a type of Chinese internal exercise, an energetic and physical practice which pays great importance to correct posture and breath control. Its movements are simple making it suitable for anyone to learn weather in good health, rehabilitation or by those carrying injuries to their lower body. Qigong is used as a means of physical exercise as well as in the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Yangsheng Gong & Dao Yin:

Yangsheng Gong (Health Preservation Exercises) the exercises are performed for health preservation, disease prevention and treatment. They work by using self massage techniques which stimulate the natural healing powers of the body, preventing disease from taking hold. The exercises are performed daily either in the morning or evening. All of these exercises may be performed from a seated position making them particularly suitable for the elderly or chronically ill.
Dao Yin (Guiding & Stretching) a simple sequence of stretches which are performed softly and slowly. The various postures help to establish the inner circulation of Qi around the various channels, by gently releasing blockages that inhibits its flow and thus our flexibility. They pay attention to breath control and can also contain self massage techniques. All of these exercises may be performed from a seated position:

Benefits of Yangsheng Gong & Dao Yin:

Increases strength/flexibility of muscles & joints Help in the treatment of various conditions from back pain to heart disease Speeds up rehabilitation process Improves circulation Increases bone density Increases stamina Stress relief Improves muscle tone Relieves muscular tension Promotes longevity and good health.

Jingzuo:
Jingzuo (Quiet Sitting) is ‘Meditation’ which may be performed sitting, lying or standing. It is performed silently with the eyes slightly open gazing at the tip of the nose with the tip of the tongue in contact with the upper palate and the mind concentrated on the Dantian (lower abdomen).

Benefits of Meditation:

• Reduces hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Decreases heart rate
• Relieves anxiety and other chronic conditions caused by stress
• Relieves muscular tension
• Improves digestion
• Inner silence
• Promotes longevity and good health.

Courses

Praying Mantis Qigong & Taoist Health Preservation Courses:

Course 1: Kui De Tang - Nourishing Life
Dietary & lifestyle advice for health and longevity is the main focus of this short course. We will cover dietary advice including; general principles of dietetics, the five flavours, yin/yang quality & characteristics of foods as well as lifestyle advice. Including areas such as; emotions, exercise, materialism, work and leisure. We will be using the following Kui De Tang texts as our study guide; ‘The Practice of Nothing Excessive’, ‘The Diet & Lifestyle More-Less Song’ and ‘The Twelve Verse Longevity Rhymed Formula’. This course is particularly suited to those perhaps thinking about making changes in an area of their life that is mentioned above or those who have no prior knowledge of this subject.
This 4 week course runs from 11:45am-12:45pm on 4 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £40.

Course 2: Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Tai Yi
Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Taiyi (Taiyi Yangsheng Gong) is a complete set of Health preservation exercises.  It is just one of several ‘internal’ forms as well as various exercises found within the Seven Stars Praying Mantis style. Yangsheng exercises are performed for health preservation, disease prevention and treatment. They work by using self massage techniques which stimulate the natural healing powers of the body, preventing disease from taking hold. The exercises are performed daily either in the morning or evening. All of these exercises may be performed from a seated position making them particularly suitable for the elderly or chronically ill. This particular form pays special attention to one’s breathing and self massage techniques. The course is suitable for adults of all ages.

Benefits of the form Taiyi Yangsheng Gong:
· Increases flexibility
· Help in the treatment of various conditions from back pain to high blood pressure
· Speeds up rehabilitation process
· Relieves muscular tension
· Improves circulation
· Improves digestion
· Relieves  stress & anxiety as well as other chronic conditions caused by stress
· Inner silence
· Promotes longevity and good health.

This 12 week course runs from 9:15am-10:15am on 12 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £120.

Course 3: Eight Sections of Brocade (Standing)
Eight sections of brocade is a simple and easy to learn beginners  set of Qigong (‘breathing exercise’) or  Neigong (‘internal exercise’) which like all Kui De Tang forms has a ‘seven character poem’ to help remember the movements. It may be practiced by the young, old, healthy or sick. The practice requires that the movements of the torso and limbs be in harmony with the spirit (Shen) and the breath (Qi). The movements should be gentle, relaxed and slow and the breath should be fine, even, deep and long. For those in good health the set can be performed more vigorously. In the form, movements that call for extending outward, bowing forward, leaning backward and swaying to the side serve to massage organs and areas such as; triple burner, heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, kidney and waist. The movements help to regulate the qi and blood of the channels and internal organs, and can also prevent and cure heart fire, the five exhaustions, seven injuries and various diseases. They also have the ability to prevent and correct poor postural habits, shoulder and neck problems, such as herniated disc, hunched back, rounded shoulders, hunched back, high blood pressure, sciatica etc.

Other benefits of the forms ‘Eight sections of brocade’:

• Increase strength of lower and upper body
• Increase flexibility
• Improved circulation
• Improve general health & immune system
• Improves balance
• Prevent illness of the digestive system
• Enhances respiratory system
• Relaxes the central nervous system/relaxation
• Calming & peaceful (stress relief)
• Maintain good health

The course also includes the study of the text ‘The Song of Preventing illness & Prolonging Life’. This 8 week course runs from 10:30am-11:30am on 8 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £80.

Course 4: Tai Yi’s 18 Supplementary Methods (Taoist Self Massage)
For those students who wish to delve deeper into the study of Taoist self-massage.  We will practice some of the exercises previously learned as well as learning new practices. Techniques covered will include; contracting, tapping, moving, rubbing, bathing, kneading, squeezing, scratching and beating. Note: Students must have completed the ‘Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Taiyi’   course prior to studying this.
This 4 week course runs from 7pm – 8pm on 4 consecutive Mondays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £40.

Note: All places on the above courses are given on a first come, first serve basis. Class sizes are small, limited to 10 people and all courses are held at Kui De Tang.

Other Courses:
Kui De Tang Seven Stars Praying Mantis Kung-Fu
Intensive training courses for serious and long distance students, starting from 15 hours per week. Contact us for further details info@kuidetang.co.uk