Personal statement

Thousands of years ago, ancient Chinese philosophers expounded on the relationship between humans and the universe, which is a holistic view of the unity of heaven, earth, and humans. Classic works such as the Book of Changes, Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, Thousand Character Essay, and Tao Te Ching all record relevant content about humans and the universe. As recorded in the Eight Triagrams in the Book of Changes and the Tao Te Ching, "One generates two, two generates three, and three generates all things”. This emphasises the interconnectedness of the universe. The first sentence in the Thousand Character Essay emphasises emptiness: “Heaven and earth are dark and yellow, the universe is vast and desolate”. A third important principle is that the universe is material, and all material existence is in the form of 'qi', which is energy that, as it is said in western science (the first law of thermodynamics) can never be created or destroyed, but can only transform.

 

The statements in the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon", such as "positive energy is stored inside, and evil cannot interfere with it," indicate that in ancient China, people have fully understood the relationship between humans and the universe, which is one of mutual growth and constraint. A related principle is that invisible matter always commands visible matter. This underpins many of the Qi Gong and Martial Arts disciplines that have evolved over centuries and have aimed at following and reflecting the laws of nature. Along with Traditional Chinese medicine, Qi Gong and Tai Chi are disciplines ultimately aimed at the promotion of longevity.

 

I have been practicing martial arts since I was young and have laid a solid foundation in a variety of internal and external disciplines within the fields of Qi Gong and Gong Fu. Under the influence of my mother and brother, I learned the methods of Traditional Chinese medicine for treating diseases and first aid. In 1991 I graduated with a martial arts major (coaching class) from the Sports Department of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, specializing in Gong Fu, Qigong, and Tai Chi, disciplines I have taught and developed over more than 30 years. Alongside this, I have gained extensive experience of treating and managing diseases for patients and developed a set of my own style of methods focused on treating negative qi with positive qi, enhancing the patient's vitality with qi, and unblocking the patient's meridians with qi.

 

In the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, it is said: "There is a store of righteous energy, which evil cannot interfere with." Over the past 30 years, I have been fortunate to have witnessed many of my patients experiencing remarkable recovery from a range of chronic and acute conditions both from the practice of Qi Gong as well as application of Qi Gong acupoint massage, acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese medicine and other internal and external treatments. This is has had long term and life changing effects on both my patients and students, some of whom have gone on to do their own teaching and treatment to help others. Other students have excelled in competitions, winning multiple gold medals at various Chinese, British and European martial arts competitions. After many years of such accomplishments, I have shifted my focus away from competitive sports in favour of promoting health preservation and longevity.

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There's a classic Buddhist saying that "all things are created by the heart" and in many ways this is an overarching principle that guides my teaching, practice and healing work. I am so grateful for the joy that I get from sharing my experience and interests with such a diverse range of students and patients, young and old, new ones and those who have been with me for decades. My ultimate goal is to encourage and foster deeper interconnection between our bodies and the hidden elements of the universe all around us.

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I also enjoy music, singing, calligraphy, arts and crafts and I've been very lucky to be able to also share these joys with my students, disciples, patients and fellow teachers, all of whom I consider friends and some even family. My greatest hope is to deepen these bonds over time and for a future blessed with peace, unity and friendship!

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- Shifu Liu