Yi Jin Jing: 100 Days to Build the Foundation 百日筑基
This course can serve as an introduction to neigong 内功 training. “100 days” is just a placeholder for an initial period, like a bootcamp, in which a practitioner places extra emphasis on training foundation and preparing themselves for the long road ahead of daily practice, eventually leading to the attainment of gongfu 功夫. In reality, foundational training is not something to spend a little bit of time on and then “graduate from” and move on. Foundation is something that we carry on with, slowly fine-tuning over the years, even as we gradually build more advanced techniques into our daily practice.
Yi Jin Jing 12 Postures Set 易筋经十二式
The 12 Postures are the focus of this foundational program. It is important to first condition the body. We train form 练形 using dynamic movements that train the body’s connective tissue network “jin” 筋. The principle of Yi Jin Jing is that we can develop our body’s energy meridians by way of the training the jin (usually translated as “tendons” but includes all of the connective tissues of the body). In this way we activate and unblock the body’s energy meridians (focus here is on the “12 Standard Meridians” 十二正经 which are correlated with the body’s organ systems in Chinese Medicine). It is important to clear blockages and enhance the qi flow through our body’s energy channels both to support optimal health as well as lay the groundwork for safe and effective neigong training.
Beginning a Standing Neigong Practice 内功
Standing neigong practice is a powerhouse for activating the lower dantian and opening the microcosmic orbit. The lower dantian is the energy field in the lower abdomen in which we seek to store and refine the qi of the body in the foundational level of training, and the microcosmic orbit is the loop created by the Ren and Du meridians, an orbit which qi flows through that is of particular importance to development in neigong. In this foundational training, focus is on developing correct standing posture, sinking qi to the lower dantian, and activating/developing the lower dantian and surrounding lower abdominal space. Basic postures and movements that are shared across many schools of neigong are practiced using the principle of yin (stillness) and yang (motion) regenerating each other.
Foundations for Stillness Meditation 静功
Stillness is foundational for meditative practice and a necessary component of any neigong training regimen. In this course, we focus on correct sitting posture, regulating the breath, and the introductory technique which forms the basis for more advanced meditation that can come later.
Supplementary Lessons
Included are several lessons that elaborate on foundation movements and body postures, as well as supplementary warm-up and closing routines. These details often get glossed over yet can make a big difference when it comes to training correctly and effectively.
Also Included
Students who enroll in the foundational training gain access to the “Members Only” articles in the blog as well as a discussion area associated with the course for asking questions and sharing experiences.
A PDF is also included in the course with further discussion about the course and general training information such as suggested training schedule, lifestyle recommendations, and various notes and tips.