as taught by Grandmaster Cai Sung Fong (蔡松芳)
Wuji Qigong (無極氣功) is the basic qigong stance training technique for Taijiquan. It is easy to learn and is found to be effective in curing a number of chronic illness such as high blood pressure, Neurasthenia, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, chronic hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and coronary heart disease. Wuji stance practice can promote more bone density and helps in preventing fractures, sports injuries, including slip and fall injuries common among the elderly.
Once you have mastered your Wuiji Qigong stance, you are ready to begin your Taijiquan training. Afterall, the Beginning Posture, the very first posture of Chen Taiji Lao Jia Yilu fist form is the Wuji Stance!
Methodolody
Wuji Qigong, also known as Wuji Style Qigong stance, is practiced in a standing posture.
- Preparation: wear loose clothing. Calm your mind down, and let all your worries go. Stand naturally.
- Posture:
- Stand with feet at shoulder width. Both feet must land on a straight line, with the feet parallel to each other. While you may turn the toes in a little, do not point your toes outwards. Bend your knees slightly, aligned with the direction of your toes.
- Put your hands naturally at the side of your body, with your fingers spreading naturally. Touch your middle finger to the Wind City acupressure point (風市穴). Your shoulder and your elbow must be relaxed.
- Tug your chin in. Slowly raise the crown of your head upwards, with the notion of “suspend the crown of your head towards the sky” (成虚領頂勁之意).
- Level the gaze of your eyes. Lower your eye lids. Close your mouth, letting your tongue touch the roof of your palate lightly.
- Straighten your back and avoid letting your back bend. Relax your chest, letting it naturally “cave” inward. Avoid sticking your chest out or stiffening your chest.
- Relax your waist and your kua. Your crouch area should be rounded and relaxed. Your pelvic area should curl inwards. Do not exert force with your abdomen and let it turn inwards naturally towards your back.
- Lean your body slightly forward. If you draw an imaginary line between the Bubbling Well acupressure point (涌泉穴) at the center of your two feet, and another imaginary line connecting the Ba Qui acupressure point (百会穴) on the crown of your head and the Hui Yin acupressure point (會陰穴), those two lines should intersect at a single plane. This is the notion of Three-point-one-line alignment principle (三点一线).
- Breathing: At start of the stance, breathe out one breath with your mouth. Hence forth, breathe naturally using your nose. Your breath should be gentle, slow and even. Keeping your breath long and deep is better. Do not make your breathing sound loud enough to be heard.
- Quiet your mind and your thoughts. Do not let your mind wander about. Keep your intention in your Dantian. Your eyes should look inward towards your navel, but do not exert yourself and avoid stressing your mind or body. On the other hand, don’t let your thoughts loose and turn chaotic. Maintain your bounds and keep your mind within those bounds.
Guidelines
The following are guidelines to follow for an effective Wuji Stance practice:
The basic alignment rule of Three-points-one-line must be maintained in Wuji stance, to be effective. If you notice that your alignment is off at any time during Wuiji stance, do not hesitate to re-align yourself according to those principals before continuing your Wuji practice.
All the joints in your body must be relaxed. Avoid stiffening to straighten your body.
Use a quiet and peaceful environment for your practice. Do not practice in a windy place.
You can practice any time. However, avoid practicing while your were too hungry or too full. Each practice should last at least 15 minutes, but not practice more than an hour in one day.
After your practice, you might feel tingling, bloating, numbing or heat sensations. You might also find your mind entering a peaceful and serene state. All these are normal effects in Wuji practices.
If you feel localized pain or resurgence of trauma from past injuries during your practice, this is indication that your new energy is fighting residual effects from past injuries, let it go. These undesirable effects will subside over time. Wuji Qigong do not have any ill side-effects.