lianGong
Liangong is derived from Qigong which is a component of Chinese medicine. Liangong is made up of short movement forms developed by Dr. Zhuan Yuan Ming, a chiropractor and Chinese massage and acupressure practitioner in Shanghai, China. He wanted to help people help themselves, so he turned to qigong as the basis for Liangong. He arranged the exercises systematically to open channels and meridians so the qi can flow while strengthening, stretching, creating better balance, core strength, coordination and discipline. There are three sections, 54 exercises that are learned very specifically and is practiced to music.
Liangong stands out because of its technique of holding tension momentarily and then releasing it into relaxation to push the qi through areas that are stagnant. With the emphasis of correct alignment and technique, it helps produce sensations related to increased internal energy. It leaves the mind calm and the body in harmony. Many people feel the benefits of this practice relatively quickly. Liangong is appropriate for most anyone and is even possible to practice while seated.
History
Debbie Leung has been teaching classes and offering private instruction in movement arts in the Olympia, WA area since 1979. She has also taught workshops and seminars for professional associations, service organizations, and martial arts schools in California, Oregon, Washington and beyond. The Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists has often hired Debbie to be on the teaching staff at their annual training weekends, as has the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors. Debbie is the author of “Self-Defense: The Womanly Art of Self-Care, Intuition and Choice” (R&M Press, 1991). Her school, Chinese Healing and Movement Arts, is an official branch of Jian Mei Internal Martial Arts established by Master Wen Mei Yu.
Arlette and Debbie Leung
Exercise: Watch Clouds Float By
Born in Shanghai, China, Wen-Mei Yu learned Liangong from Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming and was part of a group that helped him fine tune the exercises. As a child, she was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer and was urged by her family and friends to try qigong as a way to heal. Through this work she found much better health and it inspired her to become a very dedicated student and later teacher of the internal arts including taijiquan, qigong and other related systems. She is a recipient of many awards and has been held in great esteem. She moved to the United States in 1987 at the invitation of the International Kung Fu Federation where she won first place in Taiji hands and weapons forms and her legacy in the United States was born. Arlette Moody is studying Liangong under Debbie Leung who learned it from Wen-Mei Yu.
Philosophy
Arlette believes in functional fitness, such as Liangong, and is eager to introduce this practice to her Vashon community. Most of us aren’t high end athletes which takes a lot of time to achieve and often adds early wear and tear on the joints. Many people want to find a practice that supports their well being and their lifestyle. A practice that not only pays attention to the body, but unifies the mind and creates a mini vacation leaving you with less stress and feeling energized yet calm, and in tune with your body.
Check out this video for a little guidance and a reminder of the exercises we’ve been working on together. Remember to stick to the approach I’ve been teaching you and refrain from jumping ahead so we avoid picking up any unwanted habits.