Qigong 3 – The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong

Requirements: Qigong 1 and 2

Chinese Medicine and Qigong enjoy a long history of relationship, mutually influencing each other in their approach to health and longevity. The Gourd is the symbol of Chinese medicine, and the cauldron is the symbol of the Taoist arts of health and longevity.

Your introduction to the Gourd and the Cauldron begins with Hua Tu Five Animals Qigong, one of the most well-known systems of health practices. Hua Tu was the founder of Chinese medicine, and his animal qigong forms are designed to enhance both physical and energetic health. In this qigong, the tiger trains tendon strength, the bear trains bone strength, the deer focuses on preserving generative energy, the monkey trains agility, and the bird sends energy from the base of the spine to the head.

As you continue to explore the Gourd and the Cauldron, you will enter the world of Immortals’ Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation and the Red Phoenix Calisthenics. Here, you will learn how to use techniques of breath regulation to work on specific health needs such as improving knee and hip mobility, introducing flexibility into tendons and ligaments, aligning the spine, stimulating bone marrow growth, and strengthening qi stored in the internal organs.

The highlight of Qigong 3 is an evening practice that is designed to strengthen bones and increase bone marrow density. Minimizing the risk of bone fracture and breakage is an important part of preventative medicine.

Our exploration of the world of the Gourd and the Cauldron ends with learning how to let qi that is circulated soak deep inside the body. After we have moved qi through the body, we rest in the relaxed stillness of four more standing qigong postures, allowing what we have practiced to have long lasting benefits.

Who Should Attend

This retreat is open to everyone who has completed Qigong 1 and 2.

Graduates of Level 3 may continue their journey with Level 4 – 5, which are offered at various practice centres.

About the Teacher

DAVID STONE has been authorized as an instructor in Taoist qigong by Dr. Eva Wong, who is a 19th generation carrier of the Xiantianwujimen (Primordial Limitless Gate School) lineage of Taoism. He has been practicing and teaching energetic body-mind arts for many years, including Mudra Space Awareness from the Tibetan buddhist monastic dance tradition, and is an acupuncturist in the Five-Element and Classical traditions, presently with an office in Evanston, IL. He is also a meditation instructor and senior teacher at the Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago.