Iron Thread is a complex of exercises developed by Shaolin Temple monks during centuries. Practicing Iron Thread exercises Shaolin Temple monks achieved amazing results in Kung Fu and became invincible fighters. However, besides the fighting aspect, Iron Thread is a powerful health improvement method.

With the help of isometric exercises and breathing techniques, Iron Thread fills all internal body organs with Qi energy and increases internal body reserve. As a result, organism rejuvenates and keeps its strength and power even to deep old age.

The basis of Iron Thread consists of 12 “Arms-bridges”: Tan (hardness), Zhou (flexibility), Bi (compulsion), Chzhi (straightness), Fen (division), Din (fixation), Tsun (instant), Ti (raise), Lju (abandonment), Jun (movement), Chzhi (suppression), Din (correction). Besides, you should use the contrary factors.

Using Qi, the life-giving spirit power, you increase physical forces. Pay attention to the waist and kidney defense. Breathe loudly so that your breath got particular features like for instance joy, anger, grief and gaiety. This is quite that what differs this single combat style from others.

The most complicated thing in Tiet Sin Qigong mastering is the respiration itself and regulation of Qi as well as sound utterance and internal power application. If the above-mentioned items are performed badly, you will get no use or can even harm yourself.

Practicing Iron Thread, it is necessary to remember always one important rule to avoid health damage. It is strongly prohibited to do these exercises with breathing stop. In normality, Q energy circulates together with blood through whole organism and supports regular function of all internal organs. When you perform force exercise with maximum effort, a powerful surge of Qi occurs. With breathing stop, Qi energy also stops circulation and accumulates in certain vital organs, which causes their damage. That is why fatal cases often occure with weight-lifting sportsmen. Blood excess (and Qi excess too) rises to brain and causes cerebral hemorrhage. The heart and other organs can be damaged as well. Therefore, it is essential to be very careful practicing Iron Thread exercises and not to do them as isometric, i.e. with breathing stop.

In spite of the fact that the exercises are performed with isometric exertion, the hands go forward slowly and simultaneously with exhalation. In the interval between exhalation, the short limited inhalation takes place. As a result of such breathing, Qi (and blood as well) circulates freely throughout the whole body without any side effects. On the contrary, Iron Thread is very useful for those with weak health or suffered serious illness. Hung Gar Kung Fu history mentions about quite a number cases when weak health people started practise Iron Thread and not only recovered the health, but, in addition, became famous Kung Fu masters and lived until deep old age.

There are more than one reason why many believe Tai Chi helps reduce the painful effects of arthritis. It’s because Tai Chi doesn’t focus only on the medical aspects but also in the healing properties of the mind and an inner energy that is called as Qi.

Mind Power

The power of the positive mind can cure a lot of sickness and disabilities. A positive mind can help integrate and hasten healing. Tai Chi connects the mind and body manipulation of the mind that is conscious. It directs the internal force within the body and the internal force directs the movement that is produced.

Upon practicing Tai Chi, a person focuses on the coordination and focuses on the movements of the body. Through mental training, Tai Chi enhances mind clarity, uplifts the mood and improves proper relaxation. There have been studies about Tai Chi as an alternative treatment for arthritis and as concluded, it has been found that it complements and can stand on its own as a treatment. The great power of the mind is modified as one of the most powerful and effective tool to prevent arthritis.

Qi Power

Qi is known as the energy in the life of a person. This kind of energy is derived from the combination of three essentials namely: air we breathe in, Qi of kidney and Qi from water and food that is absorbed by the body from the digestive system. Once Qi circulates in the body, it performs numerous tasks to let systems in the body perform well. If you let Qi penetrate in your body and maintain strong relativity with it, then you will become stronger and healthier.

Through the slow and gentle movements of Tai Chi, it enables the opening of channels, keeping them supple and strong. It maintains the muscle’s rhythmic exhibitions. If you are someone who wanted Qi to radiate inside the body and be further enhanced, Tai Chi is the answer. Fields of Chinese medicine stated that arthritis can be also the end effect of a very slow and sluggish flow of the internal energy.

Programs for Tai Chi have been verified in a lot of ways but all ends up in three objectives:

• Provide safety and precision to learn the different techniques in the most accepted practices that will fit people of all ages.
• Relieve the pain that is caused by stiffness of the muscles and bones and the other causes of arthritis that is related to the problem.
• Improve the body’s relaxation and maintain a healthy way of life. Characteristics of programs aimed for Tai Chi preventing arthritis goes as follows:

a. High stances to make it easy for people to adapt and learn.

b. Steps that is agile. This is the one factor that is concerned with the improved mobility and is very essential in the practice of Tai Chi to people with arthritis.

c. Numerous Qigong movements and exercises can improve relaxation and promote healing.

No matter how people look at it, Tai Chi has already proven its worth in terms of arthritis treatment. The thing is, you have to look for the proper program that has the purpose of eliminating the effects of arthritis and eventually getting rid of it. Make sure that the program offers complete sets of basic and advanced forms of exercises.

Breathing, yes of course we do it, if not we’d be dead, obvious isn’t it. But in the far east Breathing techniques have been used for thousands of years. Not only as a means of improving the health and vitality of both the body and mind, but also as a means of connecting to the Higher Spiritual Realms. In the far east the practice is called Qigong and is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

There must be a word of warning, to the uninitiated, using Qigong techniques too vigorously or forcibly can cause damage to the heart, lungs or even mind. It is always best to practice these techniques gently, don’t be in a rush, the benefits can last the whole of your life. And for your purposes, it is only the basic techniques that are needed to accumulate Qi (chee or chi) in the body for use by your Inner-Self to help manifest your desired reality. If over time you feel the benefit of these gentle exercises, then that is the time to explore this area in greater detail and to seek adequate instruction.

A Brief History of Qi Qong:

The Chinese developed the idea of life force being Qi, a force that helps maintain and extend life. This type of breath control will allow us to create the necessary extra Qi(chee) our bodies need to increase fitness levels and a clearer mind.

Qi Qong, ‘Qi’ means breath or breath of life and ‘Qong’ means mental control over the body. It is believed that Qi Qong is early breath control practices that became an important part of Chinese medicine. When you yawn, which might be now, seeing how we have mentioned it. Observe how you feel when the yawn has finished, your body will be relaxed, if you had any pain or discomfort, this would be alleviated for a few seconds. This is an example of how the changing of your normal breathing pattern can bring a change to your body conditions.

The Chinese believe it is the disruption of the flow of Qi within the body that causes many diseases and the re-establishment of the Qi (energy) flows that can bring about an upturn in our well being. Using these practices on a daily basis can give us a good platform for strengthening our immune systems.

The use of Qigong increase the amount of ‘chi’ the body can use, for health and spiritual matters. ‘Chi’ can be used by the Inner and Higher-Self to help manifest your desires. Start to breathe deeper when relaxing during the day and see what a difference it can make to how you feel.

Have you been hearing a lot about Qigong (pronounced chee-GONG). It is referenced in connection with exercise, relaxation and balance.

Qigong is just the current name for the Taoist breathing exercises that date back nearly 5,000 years. Tai Chi, you might also have heard of many times, is just one of the 3,000+ forms of qigong.

Definition of Qigong Qi refers to the energy of the universe. Gong means to gather with skill. Putting them together, Qigong means to gather energy from the universe with practiced skill. Using breathing, slow rhythmic movement and mental images, qi is gathered, brought into the body and moved through the meridians of the body. The results calm the mind, energize the body and help to create a sense of balance. The mind, body and spirit all work together.

History of Qigong The concept of moving qi through the body may actually have originated as far back as 6000 years ago in India. However, it is believed that Qigong was developed in China around 4000 years ago. It was primarily used for health and religion purposes before its introduction into martial arts.

Qigong for Health Qigong is traditionally used to balance the yin and yang. The Chinese believe that disease and illness are the direct cause of the imbalance between yin and yang. Therefore, Qigong is the natural method to optimize the body’s latent energy and guard against illness.

The benefits of Qigong are numerous. Using the lower stomach while breathing stimulates the lymph system, which in turn detoxifies and oxygenates the body. The breathing and mental imagery shift our nervous system and reduce stress. The gentle movements lubricate the joints and increase flexibility. Qigong has been said to alleviate arthritis and chronic fatigue, improve metabolism and increase circulation.

The lists go on and on.