Luohan Qigong Forms and the Concept of Change

Luohan Qigong Forms and the Concept of Change
by Nelson Barroso

Sometimes, my Luohan Qigong Students ask me why when performing a particular Luohan Qigong Form, as for instance, Siuo Luohan, it seems that some movement has been changed, and consequently, for them, it seems that the execution of the form is not identical, as it was performed before. That kind of doubt is very common, even among the oldest Luohan Qigong practitioners.

To clarify this misunderstanding of Luohan Qigong practice, we need to understand that in Qigong nothing is perpetual, since nature follows the law of Tao, though everything is impermanent. Therefore, Yin and Yang are continuously interacting, complementing and transforming each other. When performing a specific Qigong exercise, we can express the movement and the associated kind of breathing and mental focus in a Yang or Yin attitude, considering the characteristics and needs of the practitioner or the purpose of the exercise. Additionally, we also should note that something is classified as Yin or Yang, always in comparison with another thing. Consequently, we say that 18 Luohan Hands’ Form is Yang comparatively with Siuo Luohan Form, but, we must keep in mind, that we can perform a sequence of movements, as Siuo Luohan, with a Yang or a Yin attitude, in spite of its Yin characteristic.

A good example of this situation is given by Great Master Chen Yong Fa. When Master Chen Yong Fa does a Luohan Qigong Seminary, after having made a hard and intense Kung Fu Seminary, it is certain that the Qigong Practice will have a more Yin intensity, in order to calm down and tranquilize the exciting effect of Kung Fu activity. I remember, that last year (April 2009) in Palencia (Spain) when performing the 18 Luohan Hands Form, which essence is quite Yang, the movements were quite relaxing, since the aim were to relax the body and not to work the muscular and tendons structures. However, we know that the original purpose of 18 Luohan form is to work bones, tendons and muscles. Furthermore, if we work with an old age group of practitioners, we should be careful and prevent a possible incident, so the exercise must be smooth (yin) and not strong (yang).

The important is the Luohan Qigong practice that really promotes a better quality of life, developing Health, Energy and Vitality of each individual. To achieve this purpose, the practice must be appropriated to the individual needs of each one of us.