Why Do We Learn Wild Goose 8

If you compare the movements of Wild Goose-8 with Wild Goose-1 or 4, you may find there are many differences. First, there are a lot of linear movements in WG-8, whereas in WG-1 or 4, there are mostly circular movements. 2) WG-8 uses arrow steps and horse-riding steps, while in WG-1 or 4, empty steps are preferred. Actually, these differences serve as clues. They suggest that we are now entering into the second stage of Wild Goose training.

When we practice Wild Goose- 1 or 4, we emphasize the body and mind relaxation through circular movements, shifting of body weight and movement-breathing coordination. Only when our body is relaxed, can our qi naturally flow freely in our meridians and all over our body. The Wild Goose system advocates movements first, especially for beginners. It argues that if we can move certain parts of our body in a circular way, qi will move accordingly, at least in that part of the body. The easiest way to achieve that goal is to shift our body weight left and right so that the half of our body we don’t have to put much weight on can be relaxed. When the alternate relaxation of weight shifting is combined with circular movements, the two allow our qi to easily flow through our meridians.

Shifting the body weight is not always as simple as it seems. For example, shifting front and back is not as easy as shifting left and right. In order to achieve the best results we need to divide our training of front and back into two stages. During the first stage, our focus is on how to shift our body weight toward the back. With our weight back, our chest and belly can be constantly relaxed, and easy breathing can be naturally achieved. That’s why when we practice Wild Goose Qigong sets 1-7, empty steps are pre-dominantly used and arrow steps and horse-riding steps are only used occasionally.

Once we have acquired fluidity in our movements and can stretch the front side of our body and limbs with ease, we should go on to the second stage of our Wild Goose training, and start to learn how to relax our lower back (the “gate of life”), training our spine to become more flexible. Only when we are moving our lower back with ease, can we expand our “breathing space” comfortably. At that time, we are ready to learn how to detoxify our dirty or sickly qi through the bottom of our feet (K-1, or the “Bubbling Spring” acu-point). Opening the lower back is also a prerequisite for learning how to absorb Earth energy from the ground through the feet and how to absorb Heaven’s energy from the sky through the crown of our head.

To recapitulate, WG-8 begins this training of relaxing the lower back so that we can more effectively connect with Heaven and Earth. Through the practice of WG-8 we learn how to detoxify dirty qi and how to get rid of negative emotions. By learning WG-8 we begin to experience the wonderful healing power of Wild Goose Qigong in a more profound way.

The second reason for learning WG-8 is to build up our inner strength. The movements of WG-8 are a sophisticated blending of linear martial arts punches and kicks with the gentle circular movements of soft qigong. The powerful result is the wonderful “center-peripheral” qigong effect. Quick and linear movements stimulate qi to permeate to the body surface, moistening our skin, while soft and gentle movements bring back qi to our body centers, nourishing our internal organs. Practicing WG-8 strengthens our spine, back and governing vessel. At the same time, it provides wonderful agility training.