Welcome and A Brief Introduction
Wuji Qigong (無極氣功), also called Wuji Zhuang (stance or standing), is one of the oldest forms of Qigong (qi cultivation) exercises used by Daoist practitioners and martial artists in China since ancient times. By simply standing still with proper body alignment, relaxation and natural breathing, the Wuji practitioner allows the internal channels of qi (vital life energy) to open up and smooth out blockages, therefore activating the body's self-maintenance and self-repair process.
Wuji Qigong has been adopted by many schools of Taijiquan practitioners as a training tool to build foundational skills such as relaxation, rooting (balance, groundedness, and centeredness), Dantian (qi reservoir) development, and qi sensitivity.
The very act of being still and breathing naturally also has the effects of relieving stress, enhancing awareness and sharpening focus.
Like many wondrously simple and elegant arts, Wuji Qigong does require some guidance to learn, and its profound effects on health and martial art skills can only be achieved through daily practice.
In this course, I will show you the physical elements of a proper Wuji stance and the mental techniques to turn the game of "endurance" into one of easy and enjoyment. I will also guide you through 4 weeks of daily practice, starting from shorter durations and gradually building up to the ideal minimum of 20 minutes in one setting.
Whether you are here for health or to study Taijiquan, I look forward to sharing this life enhancing practice with you.
Your instructor, Yan
Benefits of Wuji Qigong:
- Improved posture and spinal alignment;
- Reduced mental stress and physical tension;
- Enhanced immunity and general health;
- Solid foundation for Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
What's included in the course:
- 5+ hours of video instructions and audio guides that cover:
- Instructions on the wuji posture, with tips for making self-adjustments;
- Techniques for working with the mind during standing (not all meditation techniques are conducive to or compatible with Wuji Standing; this course covers a few that are);
- Guided practices from warmup to closing;
- Audio guides for daily practice, to help you set up your alignment and build your standing session from 5 minutes to the desired 20 minutes per setting;
- Weekly worksheet for self-designed practice routine that is applicable to Wuji standing meditation and to other similar habits;
- Access to the instructor for questions through the weekly Q&A forum and end-of-week reflections;
- Access to all course materials after completing the 4-week program.
"The course was detailed and I felt supported in my particular concerns. I am feeling positive about continuing on my own.... I think this course is useful to people who are looking for a way to ground themselves amidst all the chaos and noise surrounding them. 'Just Standing' sounds simple, but the focus it takes to accomplish this is a wonderful skill to develop."
- Rheatha F.
"[Your course] exceeded my expectations. ... Your course (and the weekly Thursday evening discussions) have made the Wuji meditation more meaningful and provided motivation to make this a daily practice. Your sessions and guided meditations are informative and succinct, and your delivery is nicely paced."
- David H.
"Master Yan explains how to set up the posture and how to work on the mind very clearly. ... She is also very calm and encouraging. ... Before it usually took me 15 to 19 minutes to calm down and focus, after the workshop I am able to focus on Dan tian breathing and calmness in 5 minutes or so. I also have better awareness of my posture and how to adjust it. ... I feel more confident of doing Wuji after the course and cannot stop to explore more about this amazing mind and body practice."
- Shushu X.
"I was only hoping to get back to some healthier habits but I didn’t expect to experience such tremendous benefits like sleeping better in these past 3-4 weeks."
- Gillian N.
"I didn't know how beneficial this stance was and how easy it was to actually complete a 20-min stance daily. This course would benefit anyone who is interested but skeptical about the reality of having a daily practice. It is definitely feasible when given instructions & audio guides."
- Lisa E.
"Wuji Qigong has been an exploration & practice of learning how to relax & heal mind & body. The course has given me the tools & confidence to make the practice productive. Thank you I have enjoyed the class!"
- Anonymous
Syllabus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for beginners with no experience in Tai Chi, Qigong, or Meditation?
Yes, absolutely! This course is designed as an introduction to all of the above. One thing to note is that although Wuji Standing is taught as a foundational training tool for Taijiquan (Tai Chi), we won't be doing any Taijiquan movements in this course. This course focuses on cultivating stillness, which will come handy when you start to learn Taijiquan movements (courses coming in May!).
Is this course only for beginners?
No. This course can be taken by anyone, including:
1) those who have been practicing Wuji Standing and/or Taijiquan for some time - if you feel you still have room for improving posture and quality of mind processes;
2) instructors of Taijiquan, Qigong, or other wellness modalities who would like to incorporate more meditative practices in their classes.
What is the refund policy?
Our course refund policy is specified in our Terms of Use (III): "Per Teachable’s Terms of Use, all Students purchasing courses or course bundles at Moving Stillness through the Teachable gateway are entitled to a thirty (30) day refund from the date of purchase. Once a refund is processed, you will no longer be enrolled in that course and your access to the course materials will be removed."
Instructor: Yan Li 李 艳
Yan Li is a Master Instructor of Chen Style Taijiquan certified by the American Chen Taiji Society (2019) and by Chen Qingzhou Taiji Institute (陈庆州太极功夫院) in Wenxian, Henan, China (2011). She is a faculty member at California University - Silicon Valley (formerly Nine Star University of Health Sciences), and was a Taiji instructor in the Health Improvement Program at Stanford University for 8 years. Yan was a multi-year gold medalist and judge at regional Chinese martial arts competitions, and has over ten years of experience teaching Taiji and Qigong in group and private settings, leading workshops and intensives, and coaching for Taiji competitions and stage performances.
Yan takes a student-centered approach to Taijiquan instructions and coaching where each individual is met where they are and encouraged to take the lead in growing and transforming from within. She works with students and clients of all ages and backgrounds.
FOUNDATIONS OF CHEN STYLE TAIJIQUAN
Wuji Qigong is part of the 3-course series on Foundations of Chen Style Taijiquan. In this series, students learn and build a strong foundation for Taijiquan fort through methods of the body (身法), methods of stepping or footwork (步法), and methods of hand maneuvers (手法) or "Cloud Hands". Students will also learn the beginning section of Chen Family Lao Jia Yi Lu (Old Frame First Routine), a continuous sequence of moves that embody and solidify these foundations.
