The Routines
A medical form of qigong, Chinese Soaring Crane Qigong imitates the nature and movements of the crane. Combining mental focus with physical movements, this qigong system is organized into Eight Remedy Routines, the Five Routines, a Standing Meditation, a Sitting Meditation, the Crane Walking Steps, and two Lying Down Relaxation Meditations.
Crane Touching Water |
Practitioners learn these components in a natural progression, typically starting in Level I with instruction in two Remedy Routines and the Five Routines.
The Five Routines are considered the foundation of Soaring Crane Qigong, and consist of five dynamic forms that imitate the nature and movements of the crane. The red-crowned crane has been revered in Chinese lore as a symbol of longevity and morality. It is highly regarded for its elegant movements, and its calm, peaceful demeanor.
With over 30 million practitioners world-wide, it is a powerful medical qigong system which can be modified for people with physical challenges and for those living with chronic illness, including cancer. (However, Soaring Crane Qigong is contraindicated for those diagnosed with psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, or borderline personality.)
The Five Routines of Soaring Crane Qigong provide a meditative 45-minute practice. The internal organs, muscles and tendons are all exercised, and this leads to improved health as the body, mind, and spirit are brought back into balance.
- The Five Routines
- Routine One: Liu Fang He He, Gathering Qi from Six Directions
- Routine Two: Zhu Di Tong Tian, Penetrating Heaven and Earth
- Routine Three: He Shou Tong Guan, Crane's Head Carrying Qi through Du Mai and Ren Mai
- Routine Four: Xian He Dian Shui, Crane Touching Water
- Routine Five: Hun Yuan Gui Yi, Mingling with the Source of All Qi
A practitioner may be taught some of the Eight Remedy Routines independently of Level I instruction. In this case, practice of the remedy routines is not a substitute for the Five Routines. Rather, they are meant to help students recover their health and become strong enough to proceed on to Level I instruction.
All aspects of the Soaring Crane Qigong system help people accumulate qi, or vital energy, while their whole bodies are exercised. The qi circulates along pathways throughout the entire body, cleansing and tonifying.
The experience of those who have practiced Soaring Crane Qigong since 1979 indicates that the harmonious relationship between the mind and the movements is very effective. Since qi can come quickly, it works to cleanse the channels (meridians). Therefore, daily practice may have quick results in healing disease and will improve general health overall. This qigong system also serves to remold a person's temperament as the emotions are soothed and more in balance.
This is because the movements of Soaring Crane Qigong are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theories. The benefits of the practice are to nourish the qi and blood, and strengthen the immune system.
Practicing qigong also trains the will and the powers of concentration by focusing the mind to guide the qi, which is at the very essence of Soaring Crane Qigong. All in all, qigong practice can adjust the body and mind to optimal conditions, and consequently may prevent or heal difficult diseases. Qigong provides a means for self-help that is easy to learn and practice. In a stress laden world, independence with good health is invaluable. That is probably why Soaring Crane Qigong has been so warmly welcomed by ever-growing numbers of people all over the world.