Chi-Kung

Our Chi-Kung (also spelt Qi-Gong) training programme has been developed to systematically improve your health & promote relaxation from within. Many thousands of styles of Qigong exist, however all concentrate on controlling or regulating ones breathing whilst moving the body. Literally translated, Chi-Kung simply means breath-work.

We have looked at many different methods of Qigong in the past, and have removed all religious & spiritual overtones from the discipline in developing our own simple system. We recognise three areas in our training, namely; (1) breathing, (2) movement & flexibility, and (3) strength. A series of simple forms are studied which combines all these areas using only your own body.

Our specially designed Chi-Kung programmes give you simple, easy-to-remember movement patterns which will stretch, strengthen & tone the entire body. When coupled with correct breathing, these movements allow a complete, balanced workout just using your own bodyweight and a few square metres of space.

The SA Kung-Fu Federation uses the term Chi-Kung as an umbrella term to describe our own compilation of many related concepts, exercises, stretches & positions from this general sphere of knowledge into a set of specific, workable training programmes to suit our needs.

According to the Wikipedia there are over 3300 different styles & schools of traditional or modern Chi-Kung in existence today (often spelt in other ways i.e. Qigong, Chigong, ChiKung etc) each with their own forms, traditions, clothing and special names for movements. Put simply, the word Chi in Mandarin Chinese means Breath or Gas, and by extension the energy produced through breathing which serves to keep us alive. The word Kung means Work or Technique, so ChiKung literally means Breath-Work.

No matter what the spelling or school, Chi-Kung training concentrates upon controlling respiration whilst performing movements designed to stretch or strengthen areas of the body, or the body as a whole. Many schools link these exercises with spiritual or religious overtones, however the SAKFF being a non-political & non-religious organisation simply concentrates upon the proven scientific benefits of combining deep breathing, controlled stretching and own-bodyweight resistance training.

Why Study Chi-Kung?

The purpose of the Federation Chi-Kung programmes is to provide students with a simple path towards greater health, greater relaxation, ease of body movement, greater levels of flexibility and improvements in muscle tone, strength & stamina. Furthermore the training will facilitate & develop movements found within Kung-Fu and Escrima.

Basically the one thing all martial arts have in common is the use of the human body. The actual techniques are just ways in which to move it. Improving awareness & fine motor control over every part of your body can only help you perform your chosen martial art. Effectively the art is the manner in which you choose to employ your body.

Training Concepts

Our Chi-Kung tuition & training can be sub-divided into three main areas, as follows;

• 1. Breathing
  • Whilst lying motionless in a given position
  • Whilst seated or standing motionless in a given position
  • Whilst in motion
• 2. Flexibility
  • Joint Preparation
  • Global Flexibility (using our specially developed Chi-Kung Forms)
  • Local Flexibility (specific stretches & positions)
• 3. Strength
  • Slow Resistance Training exercises using your own bodyweight.

Each of these elements are studied, explained & practiced in turn in general classes or over the duration of a standard 2-hour workshop, then combined at the level of the student.

The ultimate goal is to make Chi-Kung training part of your everyday life and in practice,  give each student a set of easy-to-remember patterns which they can practice on a regular basis.