Qi Gong Day in Toronto

I recently attended the World Qi Gong Congress held in Toronto Ontario.  I attended only one day of the four day event.  That one day was so jam-packed with information, demonstrations and lectures I can't imagine my brain absorbing three more days worth!

"The Magic of Qi Gong" with Lee Holden

 I was lucky enough to participate in demonstrations in two of the workshops I attended.   The first workshop was "Energetics of Push Hands" with Lama Tantrapa.     Though it was aimed at beginners (which I am not) I was very impressed by his down-to-earth style, depth of knowledge, and skill.  He had been teaching us how to be rooted so when pushed we wouldn't lose our balance.  When he asked me to participate in a demo by pushing him, I applied all my Tai Chi principles and complied.  And pushed him off balance!  He'd under estimated my abilities, so he re-took his stance and told me to push him again.  I pushed him off balance again, though less so this time.  At this point he turned to the crowded room and announced "She is very powerful".  Yes - Lama Tantrapa said I was powerful!  I was thrilled.  And totally impressed by his lack of ego.  He took his stance again and told me to push.  It was like pushing on jello.  I couldn't find his centre and just rolled off one side or the other, no matter how many times I tried.  It was obvious I was no match for him once he stepped up his game.  But he'd had to step up his game -  proof my years of studying Tai Chi haven't been wasted!

The second workshop was with Dr. Effie Chow.  This tiny lady (I don't think she's five feet tall) is at least sixty-five years old and was sporting a cane.  She asked four large people to come to the front.   I was sitting in the second row - she pointed to me and told me to come up.  I'm overweight, and being selected for my size was hard on my ego, but I went up there anyway.  Once at the front we were told to announce our weight into the microphone so everyone could hear.   Gulp.  Well, I figured everyone could see I was overweight, so what was the big deal about putting a number on it?  So I proudly stated my true weight.  (I guess the glow from the "She is very powerful" comment hadn't worn off yet. )  Someone in the audience added it all up - together the four of us weighed over 800 lbs.   Dr. Chow told us to stand in a line, congo-style and plant ourselves firmly, but not to push back if we felt pushed.  She leaned on the first guy in line, but  couldn't budge him.  Then she used her chi to push instead of her muscles.  She pushed all four of us backward!  I was the furthest away from her yet still felt a smooth, solid and relentless energy push me back.  It was amazing.

Dr. George Love's workshop on Qi Gong to prevent/heal cancer was awesome.  Dr. Love is charismatic and inspiring and emanates a passionate and fun-loving energy.  I was so impressed with him I bought his DVD and plan to learn his Meridian Qi Gong exercises.  The DVD came with a bonus disk of his Qi Gong music video which is also on Youtube.  Watch it here and see his incredible energy for yourself.