QIGONG  氣功

Qi (氣)is defined as the energy of the universe, and Gong means hard work or study. Therefore, Qigong means "the Study of Natural Energy." Western science has identified a bioelectric potential in the body which could be one of the primary aspects of Qi energy. This "bioelectricity" is recognized by ANNU Institute as an important area of Qigong study and research. The Qigong classes offered at ANNU  study Qi in relation to health, longevity, and martial arts, and follow the methods developed by Buddhists, Daoists, and also martial artists. The ANNU Institute  Qigong program can be followed independently of other ANNU Institute  programs.

QIGONG LEVEL 1— Qigong Theory and Maintaining Chest/Spine Health

Qigong is the ancient art of using the mind to naturally develop the body's Qi (energy) for improved health and longevity.

Basic Qigong Theory and Training (基本氣功原理和練習, Ji Ben Qigong Yuan Li He Lian). Basic Qigong theory includes the understanding and the feeling of Qi, and the relationship of Qi to nature and the human body. Basic Qigong training includes the practices of how to regulate the body, breathing, mind, Qi, and finally Shen (spirit). Naturally, reaching the final stage is not easy. However, with the understanding that comes from doing the basic training, the student will be able to set goals and to know what to expect.

QIGONG LEVEL 3 - HARD QIGONG - Qigong for Energizing and Strengthening the Body

Hard Qigong emphasizes the Yang side of Qi training. Many who practice it experience a higher degree of energy. It is very beneficial for martial artists in need of a rapid way of energizing themselves. It is also great for those in need of conditioning and improving a weak or degenerating physical body.

Small Circulation-Microcosmic Circulation (小周天氣功, Xiao Zhou Tian Qigong). Small Circulation practice teaches you how to use the mind to lead Qi through the two major Qi vessels-the Governing and Conception vessels. These two vessels are the Qi reservoirs which regulate the twelve Qi channels. The goal of the practice is to remove stagnation in these two vessels, and to increase the supply of Qi.

Grand Circulation-Macrocosmic Circulation (大周天氣功, Da Zhou Tian Qigong). After a student has completed small circulation, the next step is to learn how to lead the Qi to circulate in the limbs, out to the surface of the skin, and into the bone marrow. Grand circulation is not only beneficial for health, it is also the key to reaching higher levels of martial power.

TAIJI QIOGONG (太極氣功). Taiji Qigong is designed to help the beginner to understand Qi, and to learn how to use the concentrated mind to lead the Qi so that it can circulate smoothly. Practicing Taiji Qigong exercises can significantly improve one's health. In addition, Taiji Qigong is the key to helping the Taiji practitioner learn how to use the Qi to energize the physical body for maximum efficiency.

The Eight Pieces of Brocade (八段錦, Ba Duan Jin). The Eight Pieces of Brocade is a Wai Dan Medical Qigong exercise set. It is actually two sets of eight simple exercises each (a sitting set and a standing set) that can maintain your health and increase your energy reserves if you are healthy, and speed your recovery if you are ill. This set was created by Marshal Yue Fei (1103-1141 A.D.) in the Song dynasty to keep his soldiers strong and healthy. The Eight Pieces of Brocade leads the beginner to the door of understanding Qigong.

The Four Season Medical Qigong (四季功 ). It is known that when the seasons change, the Qi condition in the five internal organs will also change. In order to balance the Qi circulation during seasonal changes, the Four Season Qigong was created. Once you have learned this Qigong, you will be able to adjust the Qi circulation in your body more smoothly and naturally, following the natural Qi changes.

The Five Animal Sports Qigong (五禽戲, Wu Qin Xi). The Five Animal Sports is a well known medical Qigong set created by the famous Chinese medical doctor Hua Tuo (華陀 ) during the East Han and Three Kingdom period (東漢﹐ 三國)(25-420 A.D.). This set of medical Qigong imitates the natural movements of five animals. These animals are the Tiger, Deer, Bear, Ape, and Bird. For nearly two thousand years, this set has proven very effective for maintaining health, and for healing various illnesses

TAI CHI ( TAIJIQUAN )  太極拳

TAI CHI ( OLD YANG STYLE )

· Taijiquan (or Tai Chi Chuan) is highly promoted for its health benefits, similar to Yoga. In deeper levels of Tai Chi, every movement of the sequence has a meaning, a proper alignment of the body, a pattern of breathing and an intention of the mind. Learning and understanding the purpose behind each movement become more and more important as a student progresses into deeper, more advanced stages of training. At advanced levels, Tai Chi also becomes a complete martial arts system.

TAIJI PUSHING HANDS (tui shou, 推手)

· Pushing Hands allows a student to better experience and explore the martial side of Taijiquan training by improving the feeling and understanding of forces, intentions, and Qi involved in the practice with a partner. Through Pushing Hands, students can achieve deeper relaxation and better comprehend the concepts of leverage, timing, coordination, positioning, and Qi, making the art of Taijiquan more alive and effective.

SILK REELING  TAIJI SYMBOL TRAINING (Taiji Quan Chan Shou Lian Xi) ( 太極圈纏手練習 )

Silk Reeling Taiji Symbol Training is the foundation of the Taiji Pushing Hands and Sparring. This training includes two portions: the Yang symbol and the Yin symbol. A student starts with Yang symbol, solo practice first, then with a partner. Begin with stationary practice, then move to forward and backward. After a student is able to move forward and backward with closed eyes, he or she then starts the parallel walking training. Finally, he or she will complete this symbol with the Bagua walking. When a student has mastered the Yang side, then he or she should learn the Yin side and follow the same training procedures. When these two Yin and Yang symbols are mastered, a student will be able to change his or her techniques smoothly and easily and apply them in the Pushing Hands or Sparring.

SELF DEFENSE - Down Your Opponent Effortlessly

· Takedowns and throws are a very important component of Taijiquan Wrestling training. Wrestling is one of the four main fighting categories of traditional Chinese martial arts: Kicking (Ti, 踢), Striking (Da, 打), Chin Na (Na, 拿), and Wrestling (Shuai, 摔). It specializes in countering against punching and kicking by using defense as the offense. Commonly used for short range fighting, Shuai Jiao takedowns are an effective way to quickly incapacitate your opponents by taking them to the ground.

WING CHUN ( VING TSUN )   ( 詠春 )

WING CHUN  ( IP MAN FAMILY) - SELF DEFENSE APPLICATION  

Wing Chun Kung Fu does not rely on acrobatic ability or brute strength. The legendary Bruce Lee, promoted the famous Ving Tsun ‘sticking’ techniques.   This work shop covers first form application; Single Stickling hands commonly used for short range fighting and Wing Chun takedowns which are effective ways to quickly incapacitate your opponents by taking them to the ground. 

WING CHUN  - STICKING HANDS

· Sticking Hands allows a student to better experience and explore the martial side of Wing Chun.  training by improving the feeling and understanding of forces, intentions involved in the practice with a partner. Through sticking Hands, students can achieve deeper relaxation and better comprehend the concepts of leverage, timing, coordination, positioning, making the art of Ving Tsun more alive and effective.

YOGA - ( INTEGRAL)

YOGA

In this workshop, we will cover exercises to develops  mind and body union. Our integral and comprehensive exercises consist of gentle postures (asanas) for mental and physical relaxation and conditioning. These postures promote gentle flexibility, strengthening of the legs, good balance and proper distribution of vital energy

WOMEN’S  SELF DEFENSE

Practical Self Defense For Women

Practical Self Defense courses are safe, fun to learn, and suitable for any fitness level. During your course all aspects of self-protection will be covered including psychology and the law, with a mix of lively discussion and practical exercises. Courses are designed to develop assertiveness, awareness and self-confidence, as well as teaching effective self defense skills.   "Improve self confidence, assertiveness and self esteem."

The self defense skills we teach have their origins in the martial art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. The effectiveness of Wing Chun is well documented; it has been refined over the years for economy and direct application.

Training to deal with and prevent physical violence can help reduce, and put into perspective, every day psychological stress and strain.  Ricardo Sealy taught Wing Chun for many years and with his female assistant instructors they hold regular Women's Self Defense seminars and courses including work for Barbados Community Development Department. 

A typical self defense course could include the following...

· Awareness Drills - Being switched on and alert is key to effective self defense.

· Avoidance / Escape - This should always be your first option, followed by verbal dissuasion. Learn to deal with   

           posturing and attempts to psyche out.

· Assertiveness and Confidence - Being assertive, not aggressive.

· Dealing With Aggression - Understand fear and how to channel it, not be paralyzed by it.

· Talking With Your Hands - The importance of using your fence (hands). This barrier controls the gap between  

            you  and an attacker.

· Sensitivity - Your lead hand is your antenna to read body language. Recognize the signals that an aggressor is 

           likely  to attack.

· Pre-emptive Strikes - How to hit, where to hit and when to hit.

· Escape techniques - How to escape safely from wrist holds, head locks etc.

· The Law - Where do you stand with self defense and the law.

· Weapons - How to deal with an attacker who is armed.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

· MINDFUL TOOLS FOR LIVING: Are you ready to be proactive about your health and well-being? Do you want to acquire new tools for living with more strength and resilience? Learning to incorporate mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practices into your life is a short-term investment that will help you live with greater ease, joy, depth, and balance every day. This challenging and life-affirming workshop in MBSR is based on the 8-week Stress Reduction Program founded in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Highly respected within the medical community, the program supports health enhancement and wellness, with a focus on prevention and learning how to take good care of yourself in a supportive, and highly participatory structured learning environment. Through group and individual instruction, you learn step-by-step how to practice and integrate mindfulness into your daily life, and rediscover the healthy balance that lies beneath life’s turbulent changes.

This workshop begins Sunday at 8:00 p.m. You must attend all 6 days. Please note that there may be periods of time outside of normal workshop hours when silence will be expected of class participants.

· CLEANSE : Tonify, Detoxify & Balance Your Body, Mind & Spirit

· WEIGHT LOSS CAMP Eliminate and Reduce to move foward

· KEMETIC YOGA TO BALANCE MOOD. is an evidence-based practice that interweaves ancient wisdom with current research in neurobiology to help us release emotional blocks and beat the blues.

· TRANSFORMING TRAUMA / EMOTIONAL FREEDOMInvolves techniques for working with blocked processing.    Emotional trauma is associated with many diseases, including cancer, anxiety, heart disease, depression, and diabetes. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) taught in this training by Dawson Church can release these traumatic memories by using a combination of acupressure points, along with advanced psychological methods, to produce quick relief from even long-held distress.

· LISTENING TO YOUR BODY In every moment, our bodies offer us subtle messages. Yet, we often disconnect from what these messages are telling us. Our culture favors being in our heads and turning to a quick fix to solve our problems, skipping over the vital connection of living in partnership with our own body. 

· BEYOND REIKI: cutting-edge spiritual techniques have to teach you about your inherent capabilities and how you can use them to heal—swiftly and completely with love..

· RECLAIM YOUR LIFE: brings healing and balance to our luminous energy field, allowing us to regain a world of joy, stillness, health, abundance, and love.  Shifting the brain’s chemistry and  clear negative imprints that deter our well being.