Qigong 3 - The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong

For those who hace completed Qigong 1 and 2.

Chinese Medicine and Qigong enjoy a long history of relationship, mutually influencing each other in their approach to health and longevity. The Gourd is the symbol of Chinese medicine, and the cauldron is the symbol of the Taoist arts of health and longevity.

Your introduction to the Gourd and the Cauldron begins with Hua Tu Five Animals Qigong, one of the most well-known systems of health practices. Hua Tu was the founder of Chinese medicine, and his animal qigong forms are designed to enhance both physical and energetic health. In this qigong, the tiger trains tendon strength, the bear trains bone strength, the deer focuses on preserving generative energy, the monkey trains agility, and the bird sends energy from the base of the spine to the head.

As you continue to explore the Gourd and the Cauldron, you will enter the world of Immortals’ Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation and the Red Phoenix Calisthenics. Here, you will learn how to use techniques of breath regulation to work on specific health needs such as improving knee and hip mobility, introducing flexibility into tendons and ligaments, aligning the spine, stimulating bone marrow growth, and strengthening qi stored in the internal organs.

The highlight of Qigong 3 is an evening practice that is designed to strengthen bones and increase bone marrow density. Minimizing the risk of bone fracture and breakage is an important part of preventative medicine.

Our exploration of the world of the Gourd and the Cauldron ends with learning how to let qi that is circulated soak deep inside the body. After we have moved qi through the body, we rest in the relaxed stillness of four more standing qigong postures, allowing what we have practiced to have long lasting benefits.

About the teacher, David Stone:

David Stone trains with Primordial Limitless Gate (Xiantianwujimen) School lineage carrier, Dr. Eva Wong, who authorized him as an instructor in the lineage’s graduated program of qigong instruction.  

He began studying Buddhist and Shambhala wisdom teachings with Chögyam Trungpa in 1974, later studying with Khandro Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham. He has a long engagement with energetic body/mind disciplines and teaches Mudra Space Awareness, founded on Tibetan monastic dance training. He has been a health care practitioner in traditional East Asian medicine for 28 years as a Five Element and classical acupuncturist in the Chicago area. 

Our Generosity Policy

In order to make our programs accessible to everyone, we have a “pay what you can afford” policy. If the program price is an obstacle for you, please decide what works for you and offer whatever you can.

For those who can offer more than the program price, we have a “patron price”. Your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full price.