The origin of Qigong can be traced back to ancient China, as far back as 2,500BC. More than a thousand years later, Qigong was listed as one of the Traditional Chinese Medicines for principal methods of treatment. It became very popular amongst the general public as a form of health maintenance exercise.Nowadays, apart from its health and therapeutic benefits, its been used to assist martial artists and sports people to improve their performances.
The Choy Lee Fut system whose roots can be traced from the Shaolin Temple was formalised by the founder Chan Heung into one of the most comlplete kung fu systems . The Choy Lee Fut system not only comprises of many “external” sets but also has a a full and comprehensive “internal”system comprising of Qigong, Feng shui as well as “tet dar” otherwise known as “bone setting”.There is also a full and comprehensive section of Traditional Chinese medicine documenting moch of the knowledge as handed down from Monk Choy Fook who sought refuge at Law Fo Shan after the sacking of the Shaolin Temple. This knowledge has been kept within the Founder of Choy Lee Fut’s Family for the past four Generations and only after Master Chen Yong Fa migrated to Australia in 1983 has this knowledge slowly been available and shared with the outside world via his Disciples and students.
Lohan Qigong has always been an integral part of the whole Choy Lee Fut system but due to the system being so vast , only now has the actual magnitude of the system slowly starting to emerge. The Lohan Qigong system originally taught as the “internal” side to the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu practitioners was formalised by the Founder , Chan Heung and comprised of the 18 Lohan form, Siu Lohan form,Dai Lohan Tai chi.and Wuji , otherwise known as “The Grand Ultimate” form only taught to the most advanced students due to the necessary understanding of both Yin and Yang principles as well as mastery and knowledge of fhe Choy Lee Fut “kung fu” system..
Today the Lohan Qigong system has been adapted to suit our everchanging highly stressful lifestyle, where “balance” needs to be restored by restoring harmony back into our modern way of life.This entails learning how to re-connect and harvest the energies of the universe via breathing excercises as well as movements and exercises for strengthening the 5 internal organs.
The 18 Lohan form is designed to excercise the muscular skeletal system utilising linear movements and enables a practitioner to learn to regulate Qi using movement. The second form , the Siu Lohan, uses softer and more circular moves, where the Qi is regulated by the mind. The Choy Lee Fut Lohan Qigong system also has its own Taichi form , from which most of the movements and applications have their origins from the Choy Lee Fut kung fu system. Lohan Qigong concepts are based on knowledge intertwined with tradditional Chinese medicine thus by practising Qigong, a practitioner learns how to utilise the meridian channels to regulate Qi. Lohan Qigong incorporates many traditional Chinese values and philosophies.Buddhist ,Taoist and Confuscianism philosophies are integrated into the Qigong system.These values encompass Taoist Yin , Yang principles as well as the “dantien” concepts of dividing the body into “fields” to cultivate the Qi in the body. The body is divided into 3 regions commonly referered to as “dantiens”. These are “upper, middle and lower dantiens. Each of these 3 dantiens have what is commonly referred to as “gates” or entrances. These 3 “gates are defined anatomically and located on the vertebrate into what is refferred to as the “C”, “T” and “L” regions.These 3 regions are commonly called “jao’s” collectively known as “sanjaos” , each divided into upper jao, middle jao and lower jao. Another important Taoist concept or icon is that of the turtle. The turtle is know to have a long lifespan and part of this belieif is due to the fact that it can stay under water for sustained period of time. This in turn has lead to the concept of training to hold ones breath for a given period of time. In Lohan Qigong this is known as the practice of “turtle breathing”.
The Buddhist concepts are one of “enlightment,” and that of emptiness .These can only be achieved by utilising the Qi to calm the mind, richen the spirit and relaxing the body. Buddhist philosophies require one to be devoid of materialism such as greediness and gluttony.
Confuscianism philosophies work on the concept of being at one with nature as well as accepting and being satisfied with ones station or position in life.
Pacticing regularly and implimenting Lohan Qigong into your lifestyle over a sustained period, some of the long term HEALTH benefits can l lead to better control and a less stressful life and even the lowering of blood pressure. Training regularly can also enable the body to be more supple by streching both muscles and tendons thus allowing the practitioner to become more flexible.