Panda Chi

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Qigong - Health Benefits for Seniors

More than 50 percent of the people who begin tai chi and qigong in China do so after the age of 60, when the realities of aging can no longer be pushed aside. Already, hundreds of millions of people over the age of 60 have found qigong to be uniquely effective. Qigong is not only for the elderly, its effect on the young or middle-aged is inestimable. If nothing else, it is guaranteed to help release stress, as well as improve your sex life. There is no doubt Qigong is good for you, how can 1 billion Chinese be wrong? Qigong has been around for over 4,000 years in various forms. Qigong has various applications and can be practiced for recreation, exercise and relaxation, as a self-healing technique, meditation and preventive medication. Because of these health benefits it has gained popularity in many senior living facilities in the United States in the recent years. Because it is low impact and can be done lying, sitting, or standing, qigong is accessible for disabled persons, seniors, and people recovering from injuries. Qigong are among the most efﬁcient and powerful health maintenance exercises anyone is likely to ﬁnd. They are gentle, low impact exercises that are easy on the joints and can be done by people who cannot do other forms of aerobic exercise or yoga, and by the sick or injured.
People do Qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit. When these three aspects of our being are integrated, it encourages a positive outlook on life and helps eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors. It also creates a balanced life style, which brings greater harmony, stability, and enjoyment. Qigong’s great appeal is that everyone can benefit, regardless of ability, age, belief system or life circumstances. (National Qigong Association www.nqa.org)

“The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.” (National Qigong Association)

Panda Chi is happy to announce that they will be adding Qigong courses to their schedule starting on April 30th, 2016 in conjunction with World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.

About Panda Chi Provides exercise and wellness programs for the ever expanding population of older adults in the United States. Main products include providing Tai Chi instructors for Senior Living Facilities and Qigong courses. Providing a low-impact, relaxing form of exercise for Senior Living residents to improve their quality of living and improve their balance.

Link:Easy Qigong & Easy Tai Chi - Senior Exercise Program

Friday, September 25, 2015

Founder of our Form

Cheng Man Ching (1901-1975)

Cheng Man Ching was the Master of the Five Excellences: painting, calligraphy, poetry, traditional Chinese medicine, and t’ai chi chuan. He studied t’ai chi under Yang Cheng Fu and thereafter developed a simplified 37-posture form, which has become one of the most widely practiced forms in the world.

Dates -- Accomplishments

1901 Born in Yungchia, in the Province of Chekiang.

1911-1913 Studied painting with Prof. Wang Hsiang-Ch’ian who named the Professor’s studio the “Wisteria Flower Studio”.

1913-1915 Studied painting with well known artist, aunty Chang Kwong-Hong in Shanghai.

1916 Moved to Hangchou. Studied painting, poetry, and calligraphy with Shen Mei-So, Ma Yi-Fu, Ching Tzu-Yuan, Lo Hsing-Hu, Wang Ch’ien Lo, and others

1919-1923 Moved to Peking. Published Ch’ang-he style of poetry with Lo Fu-Kan and Lo Ying-Kung.

1920 Taught poetry at Yu-Wen University.

1922 Professor of Chinese Ink Painting at the Peking Academy of Fine Arts.

1925 Taught at National Chi-Nan University and served as Director of painting Department of Shanghai School of Fine Arts.

1926-1928 Formed Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor’s Society as Chairman Director. Became a student of Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming, and Ch’ing Dynasties medicine with Dr. Sung You-an. Additionally, he achieved mastery of traditional gynecology, and orthopedic medicine.

1928-1935 Studied T’ai Chi Ch’uan with Yang Cheng-Fu.

1930 Founded the College of Chinese Culture and Arts and served as vice-president to the college.

1931-1933 Retired from teaching and moved to Yang-Hu where he studied with Master teacher of classics Ch’ien Ming-Shan

1933 Taught T’ai Chi Ch’uan at Central Military Academy.

1936 Began practicing medicine full time.

1938 Consultant to Hunan Provincial Government and Director of Martial Arts for Hunan Province.

1938 Condensed the T’ai Chi Ch’uan solo exercise to 37 postures in Hunan.

1939 Taught T’ai Chi Ch’uan at the Military Training Group in Chung King.

1941 Took the name “Man-Ch’ing” and married Ms. Yi-Tu.

1946 Member of the National Assembly for the construction of the Constitution for the Republic of China.

1947 Representative for the Community of Doctors of Chinese Medicine to the National Assembly.

1949 Moved to Taiwan and formed the Shr Jung School of T’ai-Chi Ch’uan.

1950 Formed the Poetry Society with Yu You-Jen, Ch’en Han-Kuang, Chang Chao-Ch’in, Ma Shao-Wen, Chang Ching-Wei, and others.

1950-1963 Private instructor of painting, students include Madam Chiang Kai-Shek.

1951-1964 Formed the seven Friends of Painting and calligraphy with Ma shou-Hua, T’ao Yun-Lo, Chen Fang, Chang Ku-Nien, Liu Yen-T’ao, and Kao Yi-Hung. Helped to form the Republic of China Fine Arts Society, served as an officer and head of the Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition. Held a lifetime professorship at the College of Chinese Culture. Director of Fine Arts, The Republic of China Cultural Renaissance Movement, American branch. Held many one man painting exhibitions, including the 1964 exhibits at the National Cernushi Gallery in Paris and the World’s Fair in New York.

1964 founded the Shr Jung Center for the Cultural Arts in New York.

1964 Established T’ai Chi Institute in NY.

1973 Formed the Shr Jung T’ai Chi Center in Yew York

1974 Returned to Taiwan to publish Yi Ch’uan.

1975 Passed away on March 26, midnight.