Meridian Dynamic Exercise
with 49 Postures
(Sishijiushi Jingluo Donggong)

Introduction

On one of my trips to Beijing, as is my usual habit, I took a copy of the "China Daily" (English version). Whilst this newspaper is preoccupied with a left-wing view of life on the planet, it has absolutely no relationship to the press of the Tabloids and Broadsheets. What the paper excels in, is the factual and scientific data - material that certainly would not sell many Daily Mirrors! The subject that captured my interest on this particular occasion was a government-sponsored pharmaceutical committee conclusion on certain substances being used in many areas of traditional Chinese medicine. After some ten years of research into 10,000 remedies, the published findings decreed 2,000 to have no scientific basis or contain curative properties. I believe the jury is still out on the other 50,000 or so items used across the 1.2 billion population of this vast area of terra firma.

I feel this highlights a similar dilemma that exists for students of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. There is reported to be some 2,000 methods of Qigong being practiced throughout China. Among these many are insubstantial, unresearched, unproven and unfulfilled. So, for Westerners, how to sort the wheat from the chaff? If it does not work, why pay for it? I have read of Chinese who unquestioningly studied with teachers for ten years only to discover the training was taking them nowhere.

Daoyin is one of the oldest known and most researched systems of health training in China and can be traced back many centuries. Daoyin, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diet, Martial Arts, Qigong are all part of the cultural holistic view of maintaining the body's energy and metabolism. The principle of Daoyin is enlightened self-cultivation and concerns itself with body management. If the body is not regulated and kept refined, how can we expect it to have the qualification for anything other than mundane experience?

Daoyin can be practiced by people of all ages, it can be exercised anywhere. No expensive equipment is required. It can be practiced anytime by anyone. The most popular time is early morning - in the open air when nature is waking, would be considered the most desirable and beneficial.

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong is a system of Qigong researched and developed by Professor Zhang Guandge, resident professor at Beijing University of Physical Education. Daoyin Yangsheng Gong is subtitled 'Physical and Breathing Exercise, Combined with Self-Massage for Health Preservation".

This development has taken place and progressed since the early 1970s. Professor Zhang has made a lifelong study of Daoyin, Yangsheng and Longevity Systems. He also inherited from his maternal grandfather a family system of exercise for chronic illness. These exercises are guided by the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A holistic understanding of treatment based on diagnosis and the analysis of symptoms. This embraces the theories of Yin Yang balance and the circulation of energy through the Meridian System, the pathology of diseases and related studies of Modern Medicine. Daoyin is now widely practiced in China and throughout the world.

l like to see this system as Qigong demystified, structured and systemised. For those not familiar with Professor Zhang and his work, he was born in 1931 and comes from Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China. From a medical family background, he naturally developed an interest in Wushu. In 1955, he was enrolled in the Wushu Department of the Beijing Institute.

Daoyin concerns itself with rhythmic movement to invigorate and increase our personal energy quotient. The aim should be to relax, soften and loosen the body and joints. There should be much turning and twisting of the limbs and trunk to bring massage, stimulation and blood circulation to the internal organs. The triple key to development is movement combined with visualisation and deep abdominal breathing.

R. V. Watson,
Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Instructor for this course - Chen Lei

Chen Lei began his training of Chinese Martial Arts at the age of eight at the Shongshan Shaolin temple in the Henan province. After one year at the Shaolin temple, he had won first place in Shaolin temple competition. He then left Shaolin temple to enter the Yunnan youth athletic school at the age of 9.

In 1992 he was selected for the Yunnan province professional Wushu team. He Fu Sheng, one of the 3-teachers who has achieved 9th dan in Wushu in China taught him Xing Yi Quan. Su Zi Fang, the11th Asian Games Taiji Quan champion, also taught him Taiji Quan. Chen Lei was the Yunnan provincial champion four times and whilst in the Yunnan professional Wushu team he competed in the china national wushu competition. There he was twice China's national champion in traditional-style Tongbei boxing and 3-man team fighting.

Not only successful in competition but academically as well, Chen Lei graduated from the Beijing University of Physical Education with a BA in Chinese Martial Arts in July of 2000.At the same time he taught physical education wushu to people from all countries. During his University time he also received his 6th Dan Certification Diploma in 1998 in Wushu and in 1999 received his 3rd Dan Certification Diploma in Tae Kwon Do.

Chen Lei has achieved the wu ying ji, which is a masters degree in wushu-the highest level that can be attained and gives him the title of master level athlete. He has also received certification as a first class national judge of wushu in 1999. His focus has been Wushu theory, traditional Wushu & Taiji, and Wushu Specialized English.

He started his teaching in 1992 in the Yunnan Province as a freelance wushu coach and since has been teaching wushu in various organizations around Beijing since 1996. These organizations include fitness/wushu centers, Beijing Language and Cultural University, and Worldlink Education.

His skills in wushu have also provided him with many opportunities in various Hong Kong films as a stunt coordinator/choreographer and as an actor.

His academic, competitive and teaching experience make Chen Lei one of the best and one of the most in demand Martial Arts Expert today.

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Access to lessons within this course is only available to members, but you may wish to check out some of the free lessons available in the 4 Introductionary Exercises.

The 4 Introductionary Exercises