The ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong Blog

Flowing with Energy - Freeing Your "Inner" Tai Chi Master

Working on energy flow in Tai Chi is not something vague or mystical reserved for masters - it's something practical that YOU can do!

Find out the steps that lead to energy flow and how you can use them to free your "inner" Tai Chi master.

Deepen Your Centerline for Health and Chi Development

The "centerline" is one of the most important concepts in ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong. It's so important that we mention in 18 out of the 31 lessons in our Complete Tai Chi and Qigong Course!

Find out how you can improve your centerline in your practice. We'll also discuss a special Qigong you can use to "deepen" your centerline and build a central "energy column" for health, stress relief, and Chi development.

Video: Do NOT Stand With Your Feet "Shoulder Width"

One of the first instructions given to many Tai Chi and Qigong students is to "stand with your feet shoulder width apart". This instruction is so common, you can find it on over 5,400 web pages!

But "shoulder width" causes kinesthetic problems for many Tai Chi and Qigong students. Find out the problems involved in learning the "shoulder width" stance, and how we solved them in our teaching and practice.

Video: "Chi Locking" for Health and Chi Development

"Chi Locking" is a technique used in a variety of Tai Chi and Qigong styles. This technique can help improve chi flow and clear blockages in the chi meridians through the build-up and release of pressurization.

In this video, you'll learn the two required parts of a successful chi lock, and you'll see both dramatic and subtle examples of chi locking in Qigong.

Video: One-on-One Coaching with a Tai Chi Master

Have you ever wanted to work one-on-one with a Tai Chi master?

I've put together a short video presentation about what happens during this type of training. You'll see a new approach to working one-on-one currently being used to help participants become Certified Practitioners and Certified Instructors in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development.

Video: Pump Up Your "Hip Chi" for Hidden Tai Chi Skills

Water Pump Qigong is excellent for developing "hip socket" chi, a hidden part of practically every style of Tai Chi. But the correct spinal alignment is crucial to working on this skill.

Watch this short video to discover the proper spinal alignment to help you develop hip socket chi for better health and effective Tai Chi.

Video: Don't Just Bend Forward - Open Your Spine!

Opening the Spine in ChiFusion Level 1 is not the typical foward-bending hamstring stretch you might expect. Instead, its purpose is to create a free, well-aligned, mobile spine.

How you start your forward bend can make all the difference in this exercise. This short video discusses how to start your bend so that you reduce spinal compression, promote a healthy spine, and build a good foundation for spinal chi work.

Al Simon Receives Second Induction into Martial Arts Hall of Fame

In August 2008, Al Simon received his second induction into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

This is the second year in a row in which Al was honored by the International Martial Arts Headfounders Grandmasters Council.

This year, Al was inducted with the rank of "Founder"for the development of ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong.

Touch Heaven and Earth - Physical Precision, Circulation Mirroring, and the Microcosmic Orbit

Precision is an important part of Chi Development. And sometimes sometimes a single movement detail will focus both on "physical" and "energetic" precision at the same time!

Here is an example of both physical and energetic precision that uses "circulation mirroring" and the "microcosmic orbit" of chi.

Tracing, Pulling, and Locking - Three Precision Techniques to Develop More Chi

The phrase "a game of inches" is usually associated with horseshoes. But as many of you are noticing, Chi Development is a game of inches as well.

Here are three Tai Chi and Qigong techniques to help you explore the precision you need to reach your full Chi potential.