Healing Dragon
Steven Cardoza, M.Sc., L.Ac.
CLOUD HANDS QIGONG WORKSHOP SERIES
THE INNER POWER OF CLOUD HANDS QIGONG:
Cultivating Energy, Health, and Longevity
Cloud Hands (Yun Shou), also known as Wave Hands Like Clouds, is a powerful single-movement qigong/neigong practice with a proven history of healing and longevity benefits spanning thousands of years. It exists as a stand-alone qigong, as a part of more extensive qigong sets, and is contained in all taiji (tai chi) styles, with variations appropriate to each style. Many qigong masters consider Cloud Hands to be the best single-movement qigong one can practice.
In this workshop, we’ll focus on Cloud Hands as a comprehensive stand-alone qigong, sequentially layering in extensive neigong (inner cultivation) over the course of the workshop. You’ll be thoroughly guided from the very beginning, first learning the physical movement with all its subtleties, covering concepts and principles, training techniques, and other practical considerations. Some health benefits are produced from the physical movement alone, and each physical component has direct and specific qi effects. We’ll distinguish and engage those qualities as we progress.
At a foundational level, Cloud Hands begins to harmonize the yin and yang energies throughout the body. In western terms, this correlates to improving homeostasis, building health and energy through balancing and optimizing all the body’s physiological processes, including improving the functional energy of every organ, toning the lymphatic system for increased immune function, and releasing held tension within the nervous system, thereby reducing mental and emotional stress while relaxing the body and mind. These benefits increase and the inner power of Cloud Hands continues to expand as deeper neigong is included. Integration of all components is addressed as each new piece is added.
Workshop Format
The material will be presented in four or five four-hour workshops, meeting one Sunday each month. This is the first time I’ve taught Cloud Hands this extensively in a single workshop series format. As there is a lot of information to cover, and I anticipate time spent answering questions in each class, I’m leaving it open to “four or five” workshops to make sure everything is clear, all questions are answered, and we include all the course material as outlined here.
Each workshop will include three 10 minute breaks so you don’t get overwhelmed. You can rest, get a drink or snack, step outside for some fresh air, or do anything that helps you recharge for the next class segment.
Additional Support
To make your learning experience as easy and enjoyable as possible, for each workshop there will be:
• Supplementary exercises designed specifically for online classes. It can be difficult to convey some material when we are not meeting in person. These supplementary exercises will help you to understand and embody everything you’re learning.
• A downloadable video of each class. By the end of this workshop series, we’ll be getting into very advanced neigong. For relative beginners, and even for intermediate-level students, it would be unrealistic to expect you’ll master this material in four or five months. The videos will be yours to keep forever, to study and review, allowing you to continue to grow and progress at a comfortable pace over time.
• For those who need it, one additional half-hour online session will be made available each month, in the third week between classes, at no extra charge. Nothing new will be taught, this will only be to clarify any questions that may arise during the first two weeks of practicing the new material.
Who Should Attend
Cloud Hands is suitable for everyone who wants to enjoy greater health and vitality, regardless of age, gender, experience or level of fitness. No prerequisites are required. It has the advantage of taking very little space, and can be beneficially practiced for relatively short periods of time, making it a perfect fit for people with very busy, over-scheduled lives.
Complete beginners will get a detailed foundation in Cloud Hands, and by the end of the course, will have learned enough to continue to practice and develop for many years to come, and indeed over a lifetime.
Those with Cloud Hands experience will be able to take their practice to a higher level, by including neigong elements that are rarely taught within Cloud Hands. These elements can also be used to deepen more advanced qigongs, such as The Marriage of Heaven and Earth and Gods Playing in the Clouds.
Internal martial artists can use Cloud Hands as a thorough warm-up to open the body while activating their qi. They will be able to layer the neigong into their martial practice, increasing integrated internal connection and creating a smooth continuous flow from posture to posture, deeper healing benefits, and greater power generation.
Day/Date:
The third Sunday of each month, beginning January 17.
Time:
1:30-5:30 PM EST
Tuition:
Standard tuition is $175 for each workshop.
To Enroll:
As of May, this workshops series is only open to students with Cloud Hands experience. Please contact me for enrollment information.
The Marriage of Heaven and Earth Qigong
This is an intermediate-level Wood element qigong. Especially beneficial for the liver, tendons and ligaments, it is also the most extensive qigong set for learning Opening and Closing (kai he), a necessary component of all qigong longevity practices. A two-movement qigong, it stimulates both Macrocosmic Orbit and Microcosmic Orbit qi circulation, uniting celestial and terrestrial energies (Heaven and Earth) within the human body.
While this is an intermediate-level qigong practice, we’ll start from the very beginning of Heaven and Earth, to make sure everyone has a stable foundation on which to grow in this robust and richly detailed qigong/neigong practice. It’s suitable for beginners and experienced students alike.As a Wood Element practice, Heaven and Earth corresponds to the seasonal energies of Spring. It can be practiced productively throughout the year, but by beginning your training now, you’ll be fully ready to take advantage of the boost you’ll get by aligning yourself with Spring energy in 2022. Here’s some additional information, things that are directly addressed through Heaven and Earth Qigong.
Some benefits of The Marriage of Heaven and Earth Qigong• The Wood Element is responsible for growth and expansion, a flourishing of self and spirit. Like a tree sending its branches up towards the sky and its roots deep into the earth, it unites the energies of Heaven (tian qi) and Earth (di qi), and accesses the energies of the immediate environment.
• Wood is the element associated with the Liver (and Gall Bladder). The liver governs the tendons and ligaments. When the liver is functioning well, tendons and ligaments are relaxed and open, reducing physical restriction and pain while improving all types of physical performance. All of the internal organs are attached to the spine by suspensory ligaments, and when those ligaments are relaxed and springy, the organs enjoy greater motility and their functional energy improves.
• The liver is responsible for the free flow of qi throughout the body, bringing healthy qi and nourishment to every organ, tissue, and cell in your body. If the liver is compromised in any way, that free flow of qi is diminished, leading to a decline in energy, vitality, wellbeing and health.
• A healthy liver gives you the ability to productively do, to accomplish, to make things happen, and supplies the fortitude to persevere. If the liver is imbalanced, a person is prone to anger (a pathological way to make things happen) or depression (not feeling up to getting things done). The free flow of liver qi also affects the emotional energies associated with every organ in the body, and in many cases can be the root cause of problems another organ may be experiencing.
• There are correlations between the Chinese understanding of Liver functions and the Western understanding of neurological functions. In addition to generally toning and releasing stress within the nervous system, Heaven and Earth may help heal neurological disorders, many of which are treated through the Liver.
• Heaven and Earth invigorates the circulation of all body fluids, including blood (especially aiding in venous return), lymph (promoting a well-functioning immune system) and synovial fluid (helping to repair or maintain healthy joint mobility).
Additional Support
To make your learning experience as easy and enjoyable as possible, for each workshop there will be:
• Plenty of individual attention for form corrections, and ample Q & A to both clarify more difficult aspects of the training, and to provide personalized feedback for each person's unique needs.
• Supplementary exercises designed specifically for online classes. It can be difficult to convey some material when we are not meeting in person. These supplementary exercises will help you to understand and embody everything you’re learning.
• A downloadable video of each class. By the end of this workshop series, we’ll be getting into very advanced neigong. For relative beginners, and even for intermediate-level students, it would be unrealistic to expect you’ll master the new material during the month between workshops. The videos will be yours to keep forever, to study and review, allowing you to continue to grow and progress at a comfortable pace over time. The videos are also of great value during a month when you may need to miss an online class. You’ll be able to work with the video at your convenience, so you won’t fall behind.
Who Should Attend
The Marriage of Heaven and Earth is suitable for everyone who wants to enjoy greater health and vitality, and reverse many of the effects of aging, regardless of age, gender, experience or level of fitness. No prerequisites are required. It has the advantage of taking very little space, and can be beneficially practiced for relatively short periods of time, making it a perfect fit for people with very busy, over-scheduled lives.
Complete beginners will get a detailed foundation in Heaven and Earth, and by the end of the course, will have learned enough to continue to practice and develop for many years to come, and indeed over a lifetime.
Those with Heaven and Earth experience will get a thorough review of the foundational aspects, possibly including some they may never have learned. Take the practice to a higher level by including all the neigong elements that are intrinsic to an advanced Heaven and Earth practice. These elements can also be used to prepare for even more advanced qigongs, such as Bend the Bow, Shoot the Arrow (sometimes referred to as Heaven and Earth, Part 2), Spiraling Energy Body and Gods Playing in the Clouds.
Internal martial artists can use Heaven and Earth as a thorough warm-up to open the body while activating their qi. They will be able to layer the neigong into their martial practice, increasing integrated internal connections and creating a smooth continuous flow from posture to posture, deeper healing benefits, and greater power generation.
DATE: The third Sunday of each month, beginning on October 17
TIME: 2-5 PM, ET
TUITION: 130 dollars (US) for each monthly workshop.
TO ENROLL: Receipt of your tuition reserves your place and guarantees your enrollment. Please have your tuition payment to me no later than October 7. Paypal payments are preferred. The email address I use on Paypal is daoist1@dslextreme.com. For all future workshops, tuition is due one week prior to class.Any questions? Let me know, and I’ll get back to you usually within 24 hours.
Dragon & Tiger Medical Qigong
For Beginners and Returning Students
Awaken your body’s innate healing wisdom with this 1,500-year-old medical qigong practice. Incorporating Daoist and Buddhist principles, its powerful yet gentle seven movements address all the internal organs and main energy pathways to help you build complete health while boosting your immune system, reducing stress, increasing energy, and promoting emotional balance and mental clarity. You will learn to feel your qi, the vital energy of life, and to discharge stagnant qi, which is the root cause of pain and most degenerative diseases. At more advanced levels of practice, Dragon & Tiger is a gateway to deeper spiritual cultivation.
This class is suitable for beginners, and for returning intermediate-level students wanting refinements to deepen their understanding and further embody the principles required in this practice. Remember that “Mastery means mastering the basics.” Everything is build from that foundation, which makes all that may follow possible.
After you have a strong foundation and are enjoying the many healing benefits of Dragon and Tiger, interested students may continue with this course to learn the deeper, advanced aspects of the practice, opening the door to spiritual cultivation.
DATE: Beginning Sunday, March 26. This workshop series will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month.
TIME: 2-5 PM, ET
LOCATION: For now, this is an online-only workshop series, over Zoom. All classes will be recorded, and everyone enrolled will have access to the videos to download and keep for future reference.
TUITION: 135 USD for each 3 hour workshop
Payment is accepted through Paypal or Zelle. If you don’t already have my Paypal or Zelle information, please contact me for those details. Your tuition payment is required to reserve your place in class.
TO ENROLL: Send tuition to me through Paypal or Zelle. Please complete your enrollment no later than Sunday, March 19 so I can have an accurate enrollment count before the class begins. Thanks!
Paypal: daoist1@dslextreme.com
Zelle: daoist2@dslextreme.com
Please include a note with your name and “Dragon and Tiger” so I’ll know it’s from you, and for this workshop. If you're not currently on my mailing list, please make sure you include your email address with your payment so I'll be able to send you the Zoom invitation.
Your tuition reserves your place in the workshop. You’ll receive the Zoom class link by email on or around March 19.
Refund Policy:
Monthly course videos will be available for download or viewing for one month, no refunds are offered after enrollment.
Energy Gates Qigong, Intermediate/Advanced
The focus of this class will remain on developing Standing (zhan zhuang), Cloud Hands (Yun Shou), the First and Second Arm Swings, and the Daoist Spine Stretch. Since April of 2020 in this online class, Cloud Hands has provided the template for numerous moving neigong components. We will add some of that neigong to the Arm Swings, appropriate to each swing. (Note, the Third Arm Swing can potentially damage the knees, hips and back unless taught carefully in person, so that will not be covered online.) In April 2021, we moved from intermediate to more advanced course work with the addition of some Spiraling Energy Body material (“Energy Gates Part 2”).
This ongoing class has been in session for about four years, with some students having many more years of training and experience. It is best suited for current continuing students, and for those with at least a few years of experience in Energy Gates Qigong who are ready to deepen their Energy Gates practice.
Learn more about Energy Gates Qigong here.
Date and Time:
This class meets on the second Sunday of each month, 2-5 PM.
Tuition:
$135 monthly for each three-hour class.