Stand still like a mountain, and flow like the great river..
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Jibengong - Basic Body Training
Jibengong - Basic Body Training
Jibengong (基本功), is a term used in Chinese martial arts that means ‘basic training’. This is an important and necessary process which should be carefully observed if any benefits are to be derived from tai chi practice.
All arts have this process. Music, dancing, painting, you name it, some basic training is essential for further study and tai chi is no exception to this rule. The aim of jibengong, is to prepare the body in various ways. Physically, the body needs to be strong.
The legs play a very important role as they are the foundation upon which all upper body motion springs from, and their strength facilitate slow, even and smooth movement. Basic training is what we in the West call “paying your dues”. Jibengong helps the new student generate a sense of balance, develops root and centering.
It is only through jibengong that one learns to relax, breathe properly and to move as one unit. Through this stage, the student needs to keep a vision in order to endure the training. It is easy to become discouraged and give up. However, with perseverance and a vision, basic training can be very invigorating and refreshing.
Basic Training is divided into two categories:
1) External training (Wai Gong), used in some Kung Fu and Karate systems. Often the training includes hardening the muscle/skeletal system in order to be able to receive high impact strikes.
2) Internal training. The latter is further divided into two categories: Qi Gong and Nei Gong. The jibengong taught at our school is of the second class.
All arts have this process. Music, dancing, painting, you name it, some basic training is essential for further study and tai chi is no exception to this rule. The aim of jibengong, is to prepare the body in various ways. Physically, the body needs to be strong.
The legs play a very important role as they are the foundation upon which all upper body motion springs from, and their strength facilitate slow, even and smooth movement. Basic training is what we in the West call “paying your dues”. Jibengong helps the new student generate a sense of balance, develops root and centering.
It is only through jibengong that one learns to relax, breathe properly and to move as one unit. Through this stage, the student needs to keep a vision in order to endure the training. It is easy to become discouraged and give up. However, with perseverance and a vision, basic training can be very invigorating and refreshing.
Basic Training is divided into two categories:
1) External training (Wai Gong), used in some Kung Fu and Karate systems. Often the training includes hardening the muscle/skeletal system in order to be able to receive high impact strikes.
2) Internal training. The latter is further divided into two categories: Qi Gong and Nei Gong. The jibengong taught at our school is of the second class.
Module One
Silk Reeling Cocoon Qi Gong (缠丝劲, chán sī jìn)
In this module the student learns to use her/his body as one unit. It is said that tai chi is the art of reeling silk. The module consists of 30 exercises that teach the student to express movement in a spiral fashion. This is like learning to make block letters before writing in cursive. The module takes around 12 weeks to complete.
Module Two
Eight Pieces of Brocade - 八段锦 (Bāduànjǐn)
Baduanjin (八段锦), or Eight Pieces of Brocade, is a foundational Chinese Qigong (chi kung) form dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279CE). It consists of eight gentle, repetitive, and flowing movements designed to improve physical health, flexibility, and energy (qi) circulation. It is widely used as therapeutic, "medical" qigong. This module takes around 8 weeks to complete.
Module Three
Introduction to Tai Chi Walking
One of the most important aspects of tai chi practice, often overlooked, is transferring the body weight from one leg to another. Tai Chi steps are not taken the same way steps are taken during normal walking.
During this module, the student will learn the proper way to walk during form performance.
Walking method such as Hour Glass Stepping, Box Stepping, and Rail Road Tracks Stepping, will be taught in detail. This module takes around 4 weeks to complete.
During this module, the student will learn the proper way to walk during form performance.
Walking method such as Hour Glass Stepping, Box Stepping, and Rail Road Tracks Stepping, will be taught in detail. This module takes around 4 weeks to complete.
Module Four
Introduction to Tai Chi Postures
During this module, the student will be introduced to a sequence of four postures collectively called "Grasp Sparrow's Tail". These four postures are at the heart of all tai chi forms and lay the foundation upon which the entire form is built. This module takes around 8 weeks to complete
Module Five
Introduction to Zhàn Zhuāng 站樁 -
Standing Post Practice.
Standing Post Practice.
Zhàn Zhuāng 站樁 -Standing Post Practice. is a cornerstone in the practice of the internal arts including tai chi, xing yi, ba gua, liu he ba fa.. It is the practice of stillness. Traditionally, the student learned to hold static postures, a practice called Ding shi (定式) — Holding a posture. Similar to Zhàn Zhuāng practice. During this module the student will learn Standing practice as well as holding postures from Grasp Sparrow's Tail module.
This module takes around 8 weeks to complete.
This module takes around 8 weeks to complete.
Bonus Module
The SpiralFlow Method
of Joint Mobility
The SpiralFlow Method
of Joint Mobility
of Joint Mobility
We filmed this program around 20 years ago in my early-fifties. My son Joshua came down from Chicago and helped me put this together. We really didn't know much about audio or video. But we both knew the content was worth filming.
We put it online and sold it on a subscription basis. It sold like hot cakes. Back then, YouTube primarily accepted and displayed videos at a low resolution of 240p or 320x240 pixels using a 4:3 aspect ratio. So we did the best we could.
I am sharing this with you as a token of my gratitude for your participation in my Tai chi class.
I'm truly honored that you are here..
Fernando
We put it online and sold it on a subscription basis. It sold like hot cakes. Back then, YouTube primarily accepted and displayed videos at a low resolution of 240p or 320x240 pixels using a 4:3 aspect ratio. So we did the best we could.
I am sharing this with you as a token of my gratitude for your participation in my Tai chi class.
I'm truly honored that you are here..
Fernando
FAQs
FAQs
How do I get support?
How do I get support?
Should you need technical support, I am always available by phone, Zoom, or here in the studio. Simply call and schedule a time to meet..
When will I see more content?
When will I see more content?
Content delivery is based on weekly progress and on membership level.
Fernando Bernall
88 Riberia Street
Suite 250
St Augustine, Florida 32084-4374
Suite 250
St Augustine, Florida 32084-4374
904-806-7123
