Sifu Neil Rosiak – Online Tai Chi Neigong Course
Tai Chi Neigong (Internal Strength) is specialised training method for developing rare physical strength and power, powerful willpower and intent as well as the most subtle and sophisticated levels of bodily sensitivity.
This is done by optimising skeletal alignment, developing the capacity and potential of the connective tissues and muscles whilst also developing our ability to use the breath for strength as well as relaxation.
The circulation of blood and lymph is stimulated whilst the internal organs receive benefit from the deep diaphragmatic breathing which massages the viscera.
Practice leads to loosening of the joints which enable quicker movements and reactions.
The training includes meditative and mindful practices as part of the process, leading to a calm and tranquil mind.
Tai Chi Neigong not only improves our ability to deliver trained force in all directions, it also develops what some call the ‘iron shirt’, which is an incredibly tough body that can withstand tremendous punishment (see video below). This is useful for less skilled fighters or if we find ourselves attacked by a group, where some punishment is bound to be sustained,
These powerful results come from around 100 days of daily practice.
Reconstructing the fascia and connective tissue, which is a primary focus of the training, takes time so 3 months is an initial timestamp where we can expect to see very considerable benefits in this regard.
During the course of the practices you will be enhancing your awareness of your posture and movements, which are the naturally modified and developed so that we achieve optimal alignments that enable us to move perfectly in all directions, maintaining balance and stability.
During this process we learn to connect our bodies movements, through the all
Important ‘Dantien’ centre or core, so that all our movements express a unified effort of long chains of muscles and connective tissue.
Tai Chi Neigong training strengthens the long, integrated power chains of movement which involve the synergetic actions of several muscles and the associated connective tissues.
This produces a physique that can produce unusual power in all directions through one highly refined and unified effort, termed ‘one qi’ in the tai chi classics.
The optimal balance between muscular development and the development of the related connective tissues is achieved, allowing the integration of long chains of tissues into our power expressions and movements.
The fascial tissue that envelops the body including the internal organs plays a role in various important functions, including;
– distribution of force loads
– Connection and integration of muscles (abdominal and core)
– Connecting muscle to bones, known as tendons
– Stabilising joints, known as ligaments
– Providing a sense of feel or touch awareness, described as ‘listening force’ in the traditional tai chi literature
– Contractile/ load response – The golgi reflex is the most obvious
example of connective tissue responding to stimuli with
contraction.
– Wrapping nerves
– Allowing tissues to slide over one another
– Keeping the organs in place.
Using tai chi Neigong to work with the fascia and other connective tissues of the body develops our skill and ability to feel pressure on our body (essential for pushing hands skills, tai chi wrestling etc) as well as internally held tensions impeding our own movements. A stronger ‘bridge’ or connective tissue matrix developed through tai chi Neigong develops your ability to absorb forces as well as precisely deliver your own in all directions using. The internal monitoring of the conditioning of the body (interoseption) is also highly attuned, which along with performance enhance can be used to bolster holistic health.
Fascia has more sensory innervations than muscle making it the primary organ for feeling and detecting our own movement and that of an opponent. Tai chi Neigong development of this organ is the reason people report strange improvements in their pushing hands, grappling and other practical aspects of the art, despite sometimes not even doing partner based training.
The fascial training process in the Neigong involves the systematic development of the long lines of all power generating movement patterns. These fascial movements are loaded, pulled, stretched and wound through spiralling (silk reeling) patterns, providing stimulation for growth, conditioning and development.
Tai Chi Neigong also stimulates the movement and flow of the lymphatic system, which surrounds your entire body with lymph. BY enhancing the movement and flow of your lymphatic system you can improve your immune system and improve many health conditions. Inflammatory conditions are also improved. Better lymph movement can also have a positive effect on cognitive function, concentration, mood etc.
Throughout Tai Chi Neigong training we maintain a mindful, calm and responsive disposition which is helpful in reducing stress and enhance healing. The body is consistently training in deep, abdominal breathing which is known to enhance the tone of the ‘vagus nerve’ – leading to a shift in our state to being more calm, tranquil and feeling at rest.
At the end of each Tai Chi Neigong session a meditative exercises known as ‘Old Man Burning The Cinnabar/Making the Medicine’ is practiced.
This exercise begins with breathwork techniques and then seated meditation, using either mantra, visualisation or mindfulness. This completes a session and leaves you feeling exercised on all levels and in a state of very deep relaxation/stillness.
Tai Chi Neigong has long been kept completely secret in the major martial tai chi circles because of its effectiveness in producing so many desirable benefits, many of which have powerful martial application.
The fighting Tai Chi master Cheng Tin Hung stated directly that it “is the most important part of the art of Tai Chi Chuan”. He was one of only a few masters who had learned it and would teach it to his disciples. He was so dominant as a fight trainer (and Nei gong as the primary training) his students had a record in Hong Kong lei tai (full contact) matches of 31 wins from 32 fights.
The nei gong 内功 are specific forms designed to condition the body in various ways and are focussed on developing jin 勁 (martial power) as well as to make the body and mind strong and healthy.
The practice is based around two sets of exercises, a yin 陰 set and a yang 陽 set, each made up of twelve exercises. The yin 陰 set focusses mainly on strengthening the health of the body, building strength and endurance in the lower body, back and shoulders. They also concentrate on developing foundational jins 勁 such as pan jin 盤勁 (rooting energy) and peng jin 掤勁 (buoyant structural energy).
In contrast, the yang 陽 set builds dynamic tensile strength and trains the ability to release energy, fa jin 發勁, in various ways and in all major directions.
The Yin exercises are practiced on one day and Yang exercises the next. This gives practitioners a comprehensive method of training for their body, mind and technique on a daily basis.
Cheng Tin Hung identified three distinct stages in the development of nei gong 内功.
Inner and Outer in Unity
In the first stage of practice breath and movement are harmonized. It is a feature of this syllabus that generally no deliberate effort is made to co-ordinate the breath and movement, instead this is allowed to arise gradually and naturally as the body becomes more familiar with the movements. With regular practice breathing deepens, the diaphragm is strengthened and we can utilise the full potential of our respiratory system. Better breathing patterns can help you achieve deep states of relaxation as well as calm and relieve symptoms of stress. Insomnia is often cured or improved significantly with Nei gong practice.
Mind and Body in Unity
This is the stage where we have trained to be able to connect our minds to our body in an advanced way, leading to high levels of refined coordination in all movement patterns. From a martial arts perspective this improved level of movement control improves the execution of all our techniques. This is the stage at which consciousness of movement comes to fruition.
Heaven and Thought in Unity
This is said to be an impersonal state, where through the practice of Nei gong we have reached a state where we respond perfectly in accord to the requirements of the situation. Taoists would call it a state of Wu Wei, where your actions are executed effortlessly and without ego concerns. We could say it’s a kind of enlightened state. In sports performance this is known as the flow state.
The course design
Nei gong can’t effectively be learned through video alone. Corrections need to be made and things have to be discussed and talked through to get the most from the training.
For this reason my Neigong course has both the video instructional part and then the correction/discussion part with me either in person at a workshop or online.
Once you have begun to practice the exercises you can join the regular online workshop/discussion group to get assistance and guidance where required. Groups are held every fortnight.
Video part of the course
Detailed, clear and easy to follow instruction via 6 video tutorials, each one containing 4 exercises. This is the traditional approach to learning, practicing 4 for a while and then moving on when they are familiar.
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