College of Chi Kung
Chi Kung Training Programme

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Course Syllabus

Overall Intention of the Training
The overall intention of the training is to present Chi Kung as a way to relate to expressions of life forces within the human system. In particular to listen and be aware of how you are, to be more present with body dynamics and movements of Chi within the body and mind. The training will teach the following skills:

self reflection, stability and groundedness, stillness of mind and body, sensitivity to Chi, use of intention, synchronised movement along with an understanding and appreciation of the body's structure and functions, Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts and Taoist philosophy. The training seeks to provide a nuturing and safe learning environment.

Teaching Format

  • Class sizes of up to 18 students are maintained.
  • Learning occurs by exploration, discussion and practise.
  • Teaching methods include lectures with the use of visual aids, demonstrations, guided sessions, visualisation work, small group exploration and feedback, supervision feedback all with an emphasis on student experience and exploration.
  • Tutorial and supervision sessions are included in each training module.
  • Fifty percent of class time will be given to practical experiential exercises.
  • Some course notes will be provided each seminar. These will be a mix of relevant extracts from key texts in the field or from related fields along with notes unique to the program.
  • The seminar time is designed to explore themes and approaches within Chi Kung and create clarity for participants. Time between seminars is for deepening into these and for further reading and contemplation.
  • The college will offer when practically possible a practice day between each seminar to review material from the seminars, help with continuity and to offer support and guidance. These days are optional will be led by one of the course tutors or assistants.

Purpose of the Training

  • To nurture and encourage the personal development of both tutor and student alike
  • To provide an integrated training in Chi Kung firmly rooted in classical Chi Kung and more recent approaches
  • To provide an in-depth appreciation of the healing principles of Chi and its unfoldment in the human system
  • To provide an in depth understanding and appreciation of these principles and to be able to safely and adeptly practice and teach Chi Kung
  • To graduate skilled and safe Chi Kung practitioners and teachers

Course Work and Student Assessment

Home-study is assigned each seminar which includes both written work and reading. All home-study is expected to be completed on time. It is designed for completion between seminars in order to integrate material covered on the seminar and to prepare for the next seminar.

Students are expected to establish a regular Chi Kung practise and to keep a practise diary that needs to be submitted at various intervals.

For students who wish to teach Chi Kung, starting from the second year students are expected to establish a Chi Kung teaching practice under the supervision of a College tutor. Regular discussions around teaching methodology and approaches will be explored.

Students are assessed in an on-going fashion throughout the course. At the end of the first year of the course students will be asked to complete a written self-assessment programme.

Tutors will meet from time to time with each student on an individual basis to help understand how best the course can meet the student’s particular needs and to give feedback. During the second year the students will be asked to demonstrate the principles taught during the course by written and practical means.

Students will be asked to give short presentations during seminars and to lead or demonstrate various Chi Kung forms in order to develop confidence and creativity.

Students are encouraged to form local study groups which meet between seminar times.

SEMINARS

Seminars are outlined in collapsible panels. To view the outline select the SEMINAR. You can close the panel the same way.

SEMINAR 1 Basics

The first seminar will begin defining the course and its objectives. The main themes of the course will be explored especially defining what Chi Kung is and what its aims are. The course syllabus will be looked at in detail along with course expectations and outcomes. Time will be spent developing sensitivity to Chi by coming into greater awareness of our physical and energetic body. Some basic movement and static forms will be explored. Chi and how it manifests in us will be taught throughout the course.

The Tao, Simplicity, Being Empty


The Dan Tien, Moving from the Dan Tien


The Three Treasures and Wu-Chi


Introduction to Five Element concepts

Relating to the whole body and emotional states


Chi Kung breathing (introduction)


Introduction to stillness - stillness in movement and movement in stillness


Introduction to Substantial and Insubstantial

Effortlessness, Wu Wei


Teaching methods and safety will be covered in all seminars

 

SEMINAR 2 Central Channels

Seminar Two will look at the theory of energy channels in relation to Central meridians. We will also be looking at the structure of the spine in detail and its relationship to the head and pelvis.

Awareness of Central Channels; Exploring the spine and its energetic origins ans structure; The structure of the spine in movement; The relationship between the Dan Tien and Central Channels in stillness and in movement; Emotional awareness in the Central Channels; Concepts of differentiation; Introduction to Ba Hui and Hui Yin and Chang Mai.

 

SEMINAR 3 Earth

In this seminar we will explore the action and importance of Earth. We will be introducing the Support Cycle and the Control Cycle using the Five Element model as well as Five Element guidelines for Earth i.e. taste, smell, time of year, animal and colour.

Exploring the properties of Earth in Nature; Support Cycle and Control Cycle; Looking at Stomach and Spleen; Movements and forms which support the Earth Element in an effortless way; The Monkey forms explored.

 

SEMINAR 4 Water

The fourth seminar will explore the action and importance of the Water Element. The main focus will be on flow and Jing. In this seminar we will also be looking at the properties of Water found in Nature and learning how they manifest in the body. Self assessment and setting up teaching classes will also be covered.

Exploring flow and Jing; Water in Nature and how it manifests in the body; Looking at the Kidneys and Bladder; Movement forms which support the Water Element; Emotions and how to support them in the Water Element; The Bear forms explored; Self assessment and setting up classes. 

 

SEMINAR 5 Fire

The fifth seminar will explore the Fire Element and being aware of the Heart and Shen. In this seminar we will look at the upward expanding energy of Fire as well as the earthy, grounded qualities found in Fire. Time will be spent around how to language Chi kung so that participants in classes will understand concepts and intentions more easily.

Looking at the Heart energetically and physically; Awareness of Shen; Importance of Upper Fire and Lower Fire; Understanding the Heart Protector and Triple Burner; Introduction to the relationship between Blood and Chi; The Bird forms will be explored; Languaging around concepts and intentions.

 

SEMINAR 6 Internal Alchemy

This seminar will explore the practice of changing energies as they move around the body. The transmutation of internal energies will be developed through moving and static forms and postures. Circling walking and mud walking will also be taught in this seminar as a support to meditation and transmutation of energies. This seminar will also cover teaching from the Dan Tien and general contraindications.

Energy Gates; Circle walking and mud walking; Meditation and transmutation of energies; Teaching skills, pacing and discipline; Teaching from the Dan Tien' Contraindications.

 

SEMINAR 7 Metal

The seventh seminar will explore the Element of Metal. We will be introducing External Chi fields. We will also start to see the importance of synchronising movements and a clear awareness of boundaries.

Action of the Lungs and Large Intestine; Breathing forms; Strengthening Wei Chi, using Spheres, synchronising movement and awareness of boundaries; The Tiger forms explored.

 

SEMINAR 8 Wood

The eighth seminar looks at Wood Element, the Element of growth and transforming stagnation. In this seminar we will clarify the relationship between Wood and Water and develop the relationship between Wood and Jing. We will also explore teacher presence and connecting to group Chi.

Looking at Liver and Gall Bladder; Exploring forms to ensure transformation and increased Chi flow; Relationship between Water and Wood; Wood and Jing; Joint suppleness and muscle relaxation; The Deer forms explored; Teacher presence and connecting to group Chi.

 

SEMINAR 9 Balancing The Five Elements

In this seminar we will look at how the Five Elements can be accessed through identifying key properties of the elements. We will explore how these properties can relate to movement. We will reveal how the same movement can contain several Elements as well as the inter-relationships between the Elements. The Practitioner will be given the means to balance and regulate these inter-relationships. In addition, movement, sounds and static postures will be used to bring all Five Elements into balance.

 

SEMINAR 10 Developing the Yi

This is the last seminar of the 2 year training. In this seminar we will look at basic meditation methods and basic visualisation techniques. We will do this by exploring static and moving forms we have already developed during the two year training. We will also be looking at combining breath, movement and the Yi (mind and intention). Through simple visualisation techniques and symbolism we can enhance and deepen our understanding of the concepts leading to a more effortless practice.