Wudang Taoist Tortoise Qigong
Wudang Taoist Tortoise Qigong for Longevity and Vitality
Suitable & beneficial for everyone.
Easy & enjoyable to do. No experience is necessary.
Conducted by Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
who has 40 years of experience in teaching internal health arts
Sun 13 Nov 2022 2pm to 5pm
St. Vincent’s Primary School Hall, Bindel Street, Aranda
$160- (GST included)
Students who are enrolled in Tai Chi or Wu Dao Gong are eligible for a special rate of $120-.
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Bookings are essential.
Please pay the Workshop fee using our secure payment facility below to confirm your booking.
We welcome payment by credit card – M/C, visa, Amex.
The Wudang sect of Taoism places a strong emphasis on the 5 Animals Qigong for building a robust foundation in terms of energy development : dragon (wood), crane (fire), tiger (earth), snake (metal) and tortoise (water). They embody the qualities of the 5 elements. Each animal is used to affect the related internal organs and their associated meridians.
On the sacred Taoist mountain of Wudang, you will find carvings and statues of the tortoise and snake entwined in a heavenly embrace, depicting the qualities of nurturing and cultivation. In Taoist culture, the snake and tortoise are symbolic of many aspects of self-cultivation. The snake embodies qualities of flexibility, agility, speed and power. It seldom moves in winter in order to conserve its energy. According to the 5 Elements theory of Taoist Qigong, the snake represents the energy of metal which is related to the lungs and skin.
The tortoise is known for its long life. Although it is clever, it lives a quiet life like a Taoist recluse in the mountains. It is calm, steady and quiet. It represents the energy of water which is related to the kidney and bladder, closely related to life essence. The Taoists talk about the three treasures : jing, qi, shen. Jing is essence, qi (energy) is refined essence and shen is spirit or the expression of refined energy. It is the brightness seen in our eyes and the vitality seen in a healthy person. It also symbolises higher levels of consciousness or deep spiritual awakening. Cultivating the three treasures enables us to develop so we can live to our full potential. It is living a life of energy and spirit, finding inner beauty and peace. The whole Taoist path is about the cultivation of these treasures.
As mentioned above, the tortoise is connected with the kidney system and is responsible for our yuan qi (the original energy) of the body. As we get older, this energy is naturally depleted. If we do not look after ourselves well, this energy is depleted even faster, resulting in sickness and/or premature ageing. Learning how to nurture and replenish this energy is an integral part of Taoist cultivation. The kidney system can be positively influenced by strengthening the legs and back. The movements of the turtle are a part of this process. The ability to calm the mind so that we can be free from endless mind chatter is another important aspect of this process. Fear and worry exhaust our energy supplies and accomplish nothing. Calming the mind has a profound impact on our well-being and leads to insight about our conditioned behavioural patterns.
In this workshop, you will learn the Wudang Taoist Tortoise Qigong form that will strengthen your legs and loosen your waist and spine. It is developed to strengthen the body’s essential energy that is connected with the kidney system. As a result of practising the Tortoise Qigong, you will feel an increase in energy, with the added benefit of the body becoming soft and flexible. You will also feel stronger. This strength is represented by the protective, hard shell of the tortoise.
Join us for an enjoyable afternoon in the Taoist arts of energy cultivation. Everyone is welcome.