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Yi Jin Jing – Shaolin Qigong for Strength and Rejuvenation
The Yi jin jing
is one of the oldest known forms of qigong. Reputed to have been taught
to the monks of Shaolin monastery by the great
master Da
Mo (Bodhidharma),
the yi jin jing is an extremely powerful form of transformation.
The name yi jin jing literally means sinew changing classic and
refers to the forms unique ability to change the physical structures of
the body, restoring youthfulness and vigor.
The form taught at the Center consists of a series of eighteen
postures and movements of varying complexity. The form requires a basic
level of fitness and is taught with the assumption that participants have
at least a basic level of fitness and at least some experience with
qigong. Classes are Friday mornings at 9am. To register please click here.
The Transformative
Power of Sinew Changing
In the history of qigong no set of exercises may be as revered as
the yi jin jing. The yi jin jing or sinew changing classic
is attributed the famous Buddhist saint Damo or
Bodhidharma. It said that Damo
taught the yi jin jing to the Shaolin monks
shortly after he arrived from India because he felt that
the monks’ weakness and ill health were affecting their ability to progress
spiritually. This series of exercises is said to transform the sinews,
which is the fascia.
Why, we should ask, did Damo develop a
specific routine in response to ill health and weakness of the monks? Why
not just some basic calisthenics? The answer to these questions is
profound and directly relates to the practice of qigong anma and bodywork
in general.
Damo devised a series of exercises
that not only increased strength and general vitality but also
transformed the very fabric of the monks’ physical being. He sought to do
this because inherent in the fabric of our being is much what must be
overcome in the process of spiritual awakening.
It is widely known that how we think affects our posture and body
use and vise versa. Research has demonstrated that when we stand up
straight and smile we fell better, uplifted and cheerful and when we
stoop and frown our mood quickly deteriorates regardless of how we felt
previously. Our mind body connection here is obvious and profound.
Repeated patterns of physical behavior literally sculpt our bodies.
This seen most obviously in the modern obsession of “working out” which
almost always has as its goal a particular physique. Our bodies are
physically sculpted on at least two levels, one muscular the other
fascial. The muscular sculpting is
determined by the amount of exercise we do, the relative tone of muscles,
neurological dispositions, and to a certain degree, genetics. The fascial
level is deeper and significantly more profound. The fascial sculpting,
barring serious trauma, generally takes years to condition. It is the
result of our habitually body use patterns and posture.
Fascia is found through out the body. It is our “soft skeleton”. It
provides support for our organs, integrity to our muscles and literally
connects every part of our body to every other part. Fascia has an
important energetic function. The Chinese, have for centuries, recognized
fascia as a reservoir and conduit of qi. In the west we are just
beginning to understand the profound role of fascia in the complex
workings of the human body. Fascia generates, like quartz crystals,
generates piezo-electric currents. Its very
structure determines the growth and function of tissues and organs. The perineural fascia may be the locus of an entire
primitive neurology, henceforth unrecognized. The interrelationships of just these,
already recognized, functions of fascia point to its role as the most
important tissue in the body.
Fascia is the reservoir of qi and the medium through which it
reaches the various structure of our body. Qi flow in the fascia has at
least two important functions; getting qi to the entire body and the
generation of qi fields. As a conduit of qi flow the fascia must remain
open, healthy and abundant. If the fascia is compromised qi flow is
impaired or blocked and certain areas of the body become deficient in qi
allowing them to become weak and depleted. Furthermore if the qi flow is
impaired the fields it generates will be changed. A change in qi fields
changes the information sent to the surrounding tissues and can have
disastrous consequences. Qi fields regulate the growth and regeneration
of cells in tissues. If the field changes cell growth may not be properly
regulated and organ dysfunction and/or cancer can result. Organ
dysfunction can also result from the obstruction of qi flow through the
fascia in terms of the meridians as well. This is a fundamental truth of
classical Chinese medicine.
The pivotal role fascia plays in our mental and physical health and
well-being underscores the importance of any healing modality that
addresses its proper function. Qigong, in the form of taiji,
yiquan, yi jin jing, qigong
anma or others, is just such a modality. Qigong anma and
the
yi jin jing represents a
corpus of knowledge and techniques which allow practitioners to take charge
of their own and others health in a profound way not even yet recognized
in the west. The east in general and the Chinese in particular have long
recognized the subtle and profound role of fascia in health and
longevity.
All this having been said it is obvious that the practice of the yi jin jing
can have a profound effect on one’s overall wellbeing and happiness.
The yijinjing is taught at the Center Friday mornings from 9am to 10am. For more information about
upcoming classes or the forthcoming practice manual please contact Devon here.
Copyright 2008 - Devon Hornby
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