Christopher Torsak Qi Foundations

Qigong is a practice that goes back thousands of years and has proven it’s efficacy in millions of lives.

To understand qigong one must come to an understanding of qi. Qi (pronounced “Chee”) is simply our vital energy. It’s meaning however is much more profound. We were born with this vital energy or “primordial qi”. There is qi all around us. It exists in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.

“Gong” references achievements or results. Qigong hence is about developing this essence within us. Qigong can be practiced in various sitting and standing postures and can involve movement and or stillness.

These exercises focus on the development of bones, muscles, and various internal organs. Qigong has proven beneficial to the nervous system and as a result improves focus.

In Chinese culture the kidneys play a very important role with the qi with which we are born and in qi development. Qigong is beneficial to the kidneys and can also allow one to sleep more restfully.

I have found that qigong is a good part of a multifaceted approach to health and the reduction of health care costs. In 2001, I had an episode of kidney stones, and when I discovered I couldn’t afford conventional treatment, I decided to try alternative holistic routes. Qigong was part of this holistic approach which not only led to the elimination of the kidney stones, but a substantial weight loss and a greater zest for life.

In my own practice, I have had less stress and more energy. More can be read about my own personal experiences with qigong and other natural approaches by going here

Like anything of value, diligent practice leads one to see results that motivate one to continually practice. I recently decided to explore this idea of  “Chi” or “Qi” with Steve Smith’s Qi Foundation  course. What I discovered is that diligent practice is a must to maximize achieved benefits. During the first week, my practice included 4 15 minute sessions a day, an hour a day ! My feet got it for sure.  I experienced additional muscle soreness I haven’t felt for a while.

Was it worth it ? Absolutely ! Why you might say ? I felt extreme energetic heat in the soles of my feet on one occasion, a first for me. I felt warm energy flowing in my arms and my hands and energy in “Dan Tien”, a point just below the navel, considered the center of “Qi”. Most importantly, I feel a greater tranquility.

So how can this help anyone ?  Well, it can help one approach life’s challenges with more clarity and peace.  These next weeks, I look forward to ramping up the Qigong and seeing things with even more clarity, peace, and learning how to help the beginner take these first steps of this journey to understanding “Qi”.

I would like to welcome you to this blog. I have been an Internal Martial Arts, or Neijia,  enthusiast since 1991. It is my desire to provide something of value by transmitting some of my experiences and perspectives of the  Internal Martial Arts.  My end goal is to continue my own growth and help others begin or continue what I see as beneficial journeys in the practice of Neijia.

Several years ago the ideas of generating energy within the body thru qigong sparked my curiosity. After all, who doesn’t want to have more vitality. So in 1991, I started the journey of understanding qigong while I was studying the martial arts of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Tai Chi Chuan at ShrFu Mike Patterson’s Hsing-I Martial Arts school in San Diego. Mostly, the practice seemingly involved standing and holding particular postures. Postures we initially would hold were called Santi San, Standing Bear, and Wu Hsing. It seemed counterintuitive to generate energy just standing around and, at times, dull. However, a little while after holding the postures properly, I got the prized feeling of feeling more tranquility and feeling the “Qi”.  More to come….