Mantak Chia
Qigong - Iron Shirt
Book excerpts

From the translator
Master Mantak Chia belongs to the modern generation of Masters of Taoist Yoga, a generation before which the Great Teachers have set the task of revealing the secret methods of psychophysical improvement that were strictly classified until recently. Master Chia's books are works of a fundamentally new quality; classical techniques integral psychoenergetic training, forming a holistic approach of the Taoist tradition to the psychophysical and spiritual development of a human being.
Iron Shirt Art is one of the constituent parts this approach. The effectiveness of the training methods outlined in this book has been tested over thousands of years by generations of warriors, professional fighters and healers. The breathing practice of internal energy filling, which is the basis of the Iron Shirt technique, is the practice of the conscious application of natural methods of subtle energy self-regulation of a person, and therefore can be successfully used to amazingly increase the effectiveness of both any method of general psychophysical training, and any purposefully combat system, in in which the practitioner uses his body as the main weapon - professionally or simply for general development.
The use of the Iron Shirt technique allows not only to radically correct almost any functional impairment that has arisen in the human body due to any disease, but also to quickly and fully eliminate the consequences of injuries and injuries received in combat situations, during training and at home.
Author's preface.
I intend to write a series of books that would reflect the worldview of the Taoist masters as a whole. Thus, each of my works reveals certain aspects of the Taoist teaching and the corresponding aspects of practice. Each book is dedicated to some of the Taoist systems of self-improvement of a human being. And if you wish. You can limit yourself to practicing only what is described in this particular book. However, it seems to me that we should not forget: all Taoist systems of self-improvement are facets of the same precious crystal of a single tradition of Taoist Yoga, all of them have been practiced together since ancient times. Therefore, it is best to integrate the material presented in each of my books into the general flow of practice. This will make your training harmonious and comprehensive, will allow you to most fully combine its physical, energy, psychotechnical and spiritual aspects, which, of course, will not be slow to affect its effectiveness and result.
The very basis of all Taoist practices without exception is the meditative technique of controlling energy flows in the so-called microcosmic orbit or small celestial circle. It is supplemented by two more basic meditative techniques of psychoenergetic control - “Inner Smile” and “Six Sounds”. They are described in detail in my book “Tao - the awakening of light”, dedicated to Taoist light meditations, which are used in the practice of Qi-gong and at the highest levels of Taoist psychoenergetic training. You will find references to the microcosmic orbital meditation, meditations of the inner smile and six sounds in all my books devoted to Taoism without exception. In this work, these techniques are also described - to the extent that they are necessary for mastering the art of the Iron Shirt.
The Iron Shirt practice is an exceptionally powerful and highly effective tool for self-improvement. However, in order to fully master it, you first need to learn how to properly perform the meditations of the small celestial circle, the inner smile and the six sounds. This will allow you to easily identify and eliminate any blocks and disturbances in the energy structure that can sometimes occur on initial stage while working with the Iron Shirt technique.
In addition, special attention should be paid to the practice of corrective breathing exercises described in this paper, as well as to mastering the practice of grounding.
Before you begin mastering the work in racks, study and practice all the preliminary exercises. They will provide you with the necessary initial training.
In the course of studying racks and methods of energy work in them, use the full descriptions. Brief descriptions You will need them only when your practice becomes stable.
The approximate training schedule that I offer in this book is by no means the only one. possible way organizing the practice of Iron Shirt Qigong in time. It should be seen more as an example of a possible class schedule. The final decision of the question of when, how and how much you should train, remains, of course, with you.
As the information presented in this book, which often does not quite correspond to the views on things accepted in the West, will acquire more and more correctness in your eyes. You will find, not without surprise, an exact correspondence to its subtlest shades of the new that you will find in yourself.
Good luck in your physical, mental and spiritual development.
Mantak Chia
1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
A. The Art of the Iron Shirt in the General System of Taoist Integral Training.
Along with such well-known applied martial disciplines as Wushu and Tai Chi Quan, the Taoist system of integral training includes special health practices, healing arts, methods for expanding consciousness and achieving its fullness, as well as ways to control the life force Qi circulating in the human energy body.
The main task of the Taoist system of integral training is the development of the physical and energy bodies of a person and the accumulation in them of the maximum possible amount of Qi necessary for adequate functioning in the higher spheres of the Spirit.
The goal towards which the human being strives in the realm of the Spirit is immortality, that is, the continuity of self-consciousness.
The implementation of this goal is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the law of karma is overcome and the embryo of the immortal Spirit develops. The embryo of the immortal Spirit during the transition from one incarnation to another partially retains individual self-awareness, which in the case of an ordinary person irreversibly dissipates. The second stage is the achievement by the immortal embryo of the state of a fully developed immortal Spirit.
The Art of the Iron Shirt is one of the most important means of promoting the development of the physical and energy bodies. Thanks to its practice, a person first of all establishes a close energy contact with the flow of the Earth's Force, which is one of the key prerequisites for success in spiritual development.
The physical body is like a launcher, the stable position of which on Earth is a critical condition for the successful takeoff of a launch vehicle with a space shuttle on board. In the case of a human being, an analogy can be drawn between a booster rocket and an individual soul or energy body. Then the Spirit, floating freely in Infinity, will be like a shuttle spaceship, separated from the launch vehicle after its function of putting it into orbit is completed.
In the physical body, there is a transformation of the vital force Qi and creative - sexual - energy into more subtle forms of force, from which the energy body and the body of the Spirit are built. As the body of the immortal Spirit develops, a person develops in himself a spiritual compass and a control system that allows the Spirit wandering in infinity to each time find his physical body and return to it to carry out the unfinished steps of spiritual development that must be taken by this particular individual in this particular life. . Thus, we get the opportunity to return to the sphere of earthly existence, recharge our energy and again go to the study of Infinity - on a journey for knowledge, which at some point will finally allow us to leave this world forever, while maintaining individual self-awareness in its entirety.
1. Wu-Shu martial culture and the ancient art of the Iron Shirt - brief reference.
but. The era of Bo-lin is the time of great warriors.
The roots of Wu-shu are lost in the depths of hoary antiquity. The heyday of the culture of martial arts in China fell on the time of the Bo-lin era (about a thousand years before the birth of Christ). According to sources that have survived to this day, at least one tenth of the entire population of China was then involved in the serious practice of the most different types martial arts.
In the ancient traditions of Wu-shu, training began from childhood. Moreover, at first a person was not taught martial practices and techniques, but the technique of developing internal strength. This technique was based on exercises on the conscious accumulation and redistribution of energy, known under the general name “Qigong” - “the art of controlling the power of Qi”. Basic training continued for about ten years. Then the person worked out the most elementary fighting techniques. For example, one single direct blow could be mastered for three years - several thousand repetitions daily. After that, it was necessary to learn how to combine elementary military equipment with Qi control, thereby “filling them with power”. And a man for five to ten years, thousands of times a day, struck the water in the spring with his palm, without touching its surface, until finally he made it “splash all over with one blow.” Every day for several years, the student spent hours mastering the art of controlling the radiation of energy flows from the hands.
The art of the Iron Shirt was in those distant times a means of developing the protective power of the body. For a fantastic increase in the density of the internal energy filling of the body, relatively simple external techniques were used. As a result of an incredible increase in the density of the energy body, the vital organs of the human physical body became practically invulnerable to the blows inflicted by the enemy. Considering that it is the vital organs that play the main role in the production of subtle energy, we get a closed circle of energy protection: Qi protects the organs, organs generate Qi. The Chinese word Qi can be translated as "air" and "strength". Kung or gong - art, discipline, control. Thus, Qigong is the art of controlling air currents, the discipline of breathing, or the art of controlling strength. Iron Shirt Qigong is the art of manipulating power to make the body invulnerable.
After mastering the methods of controlling inner strength and filling the body with it, a person learned the art of being light. For three or four hours every day he jumped and ran in a special way with special weights tied to his legs. In the end, his jumps became like flying.
And only after all this, when the art of power control - Qigong - could be considered mastered, the student began to reveal the true secrets of martial techniques.
As a result, the bodies of the ancient warriors were as if made of steel, and with each blow they inflicted, a powerful stream of energy was thrown out of their hands, piercing the unprepared enemy through and through, tearing him to pieces. internal organs and turning his bones into small crumbs without any contact of physical bodies.
The body of the warrior himself, over time, became practically invulnerable to any blows, his health and youth were preserved for many, many decades. During this time, the warrior managed to go through in his spiritual development the path that a person in a normal state needed several lives.
b. The practice of the art of the Iron Shirt and the psycho-intellectual improvement of man.
Opening access for the practitioner to direct perception of the fundamental aspects of the energy structure of the universe, the art of Qigong is what is sometimes called Chinese or Taoist Yoga - the path of integral psychophysical improvement of a human being. And of course, as in any technique of truly integral training, the main result of Qigong practice is the spiritual evolution and expansion of a person's self-awareness, achieved on the basis of the comprehensive development of his psycho-emotional sphere and intellectual abilities.
A person who has been practicing Qigong in depth for a sufficiently long period of time acquires paranormal abilities typical of an enlightened yogi, mastering the art of controlling the Force, which is drawn from an unlimited source of Universal energy.
For example, information about eight Chinese Immortals of the Bo-lin era has survived to this day - they possessed the secret of a complete transformation of the human energy structure and subjected the tissues of their physical bodies to special transformations, due to which their bodies remained young for unthinkably long periods of time by modern standards.
These people could not only look into the past and the future, but also possessed the abilities of clairvoyance, supersensory perception, were able to instantly move in space over great distances, do without food and water, and also possessed many special magical powers.
Since the art of Qigong was extremely widespread in China in those distant times, many of the inhabitants of the country, to one degree or another, possessed some of the paranormal powers and abilities.
Some sources tend to explain this by the fact that in that era the overall potential of the Universal Source of Power was higher than now, however, even in our time, those who practice Qigong or yoga with sufficient diligence develop superhuman abilities in themselves. Therefore, the point here, apparently, is not in the potential of the source of the Primordial Force, but in some minimum necessary amount of training practice.
in. Age of firearms.
But with the minimum required amount of training practice, the situation is currently not too good.
The fact is that with the development of firearms, the art of the Iron Shirt gradually lost its applied value. Contact confrontation in a combat situation was increasingly replaced by a distance one, and the distance increased from century to century.
The army, therefore, needed completely different skills of soldiers - now in technological skills.
However, the health-improving, general developmental and spiritual potential of the ancient methods of integral training has not diminished at all. Moreover, in modern conditions of increasing stress, ancient practices have suddenly acquired a truly global relevance as the only radical means of compensating for the growing psychological and environmental pressure.
Kung Fu as the art of being a Human - and Qigong is part of this great art - allows you to protect the soul and strengthen the spirit in the current era of critical change.
2. Internal pressure of the life force Qi.
Considering the principles underlying the practice of the art of Iron Shirt Qigong, we can draw the following simple analogy: by “pumping” body tissue with vital force Dm, we create a kind of energy pressure in them, which acts similarly to the air pressure in a car tire. And, just as bumps and potholes in the road do not harm the body of a car whose wheels are in good condition and driven by a skilled driver, blows inflicted on the body of an Iron Shirt master do not cause any harm to his vital internal organs.
As you know, respiration is the most important and vital of the physiological functions of a protein organism. It is no secret that a person can live without food for more than a month, without water - for several days, but without air - only a few minutes.
Iron Shirt practice allows you to make your breathing as efficient as possible. It allows us to really develop tremendous vitality, strengthen internal organs and get rid of any diseases in the most radical way by filling the organs and tissues of the body with Qi energy, which fills every cell of the body under pressure, optimizing the functions of all organs and all systems.
but. Origin of the Iron Shirt Breathing Technique.
According to the observations of the ancient Taoist masters, it is this type of breathing that the human fetus uses while in the mother's womb. It does not have pulmonary ventilation, so it distributes bodily fluids and Chi energy from the umbilical cord with muscle pulsations similar to those used to redistribute Chi in Iron Shirt practice.
After birth, a person switches to pulmonary breathing. Gradually it becomes more and more superficial, the organs abdominal cavity lose mobility, the Qi pressure in them drops. They cease to provide significant assistance to the heart in maintaining blood circulation. As a result, the currents of all physiological fluids in the body system slow down. Dryness develops in the body, which corresponds to excessive heat in the energy structure. According to its properties, the heat due to the predominance of the element of fire rises upward, forming zones of stagnant dryness in the chest and head. The balance is disturbed, the cool force of the element of water descends down to the genitals, accumulates there and dissipates, leaving the body. The Qi pressure becomes even weaker, the habit of lower breathing is completely lost. This is how aging happens. The lungs are forced to cope with breathing only due to the work of the intercostal muscles, which is absolutely insufficient for normal life, since in fact no more than a third of the potential volume of pulmonary ventilation is used. From the point of view of energy metabolism, such breathing is not only inefficient, moreover, it is, so to speak, “expendable”. The energy structure loses energy instead of accumulating it, and as a result, it collapses, unable to resist the external pressure of Qi.
Lower breathing pumps Qi into the system, increases the internal energy pressure, and the impact on the energy structure from the outside world - the infinite Universe of energy fields - is compensated. And special training methods allow you to fill the energy structure of a human being with even more Qi, under pressure that surpasses the external one. This not only enhances the internal energy exchange and increases the overall energy potential of the entire system, but also allows it to successfully withstand concentrated destructive external influences.
B. The principles underlying the practice of the Iron Shirt.
1. Internal control Many of the physical and physiological changes that occur in the human body due to the practice of qigong are due to the ability to control the functioning of the organs and systems of the body. This ability develops in the course of general energy training.
In the Taoist tradition, it is generally accepted that the level and nature of a person's vitality is determined mainly by the functional state of his endocrine system and, in particular, by the quantity and quality of sex hormones.
Indeed, when the male body is deprived of the gonads, especially if this occurs before reaching puberty, the whole character of its development changes, the muscles become sluggish, body fat acquire a feminine character, secondary sexual characteristics such as voice, facial hair and sexual desire undergo irreversible changes. And, most importantly, the life expectancy of both castrated men and castrated women is significantly reduced.
By increasing the overall efficiency of the body, the practice of the Iron Shirt allows you to develop the endocrine system, increase the productivity of the gonads and optimize their mode of functioning. As a result, an additional amount of creative force, represented by sexual energy, is produced in the body. This force can be directed to the development and reorganization of the energy structure necessary for the transformation of Qi into the energy of the Spirit. When the development of the system reaches a sufficient level, sexual energy can be directly transformed into spiritual power.
One section of the Iron Shirt practice is composed of exercises that purify and strengthen the internal organs. It is hardly necessary to dwell on the decisive importance of the state of the internal organs for the functioning of the organism as a whole. Strong, healthy, free from waste and toxins organs - the key to the normal functioning of the brain and, consequently, all systems of the human being. The iron shirt strengthens and develops the organs, rids them of toxins, deposits and slags, and also transforms fat deposits into pure Qi energy. Gradually, Qi accumulates in the connective tissues, forming dense energy cushions around all vital organs. These pillows reliably protect the organs from adverse external influences. The Qi accumulated in this way later becomes the source material from which the highest types of energy are formed - the power of the soul and the power of the Spirit.
In the general methodological structure of Qigong art, the Iron Shirt is a section that focuses on working with connective tissues, internal organs, bones and bone marrow. Muscle training methods belong to other sections.
but. Qi, connective tissue, organs and bones.
Taoist masters identify three main layers in the human body. The deepest, inner layer is represented by vital internal organs. It is in this layer that Qi is produced, which is then distributed throughout the body, passing through the second layer - connective tissues, bones and tendons. The third layer is, as it were, the working volume of the body in which Qi is used. This layer is external, it is represented by muscles. Thus, the second layer of the body is like a link between the core, in which Qi is produced, and the sheath, in which it is used. That is why the second layer, and in particular, its connective tissue component, plays, according to Taoist masters, the most important role in the internal energy exchange of a human being. That is why the main attention in the practice of the art of the Iron Shirt is given to the energy study of the connective tissue component of the second layer of the body. At the same time, the internal organs that make up the deepest layer of the body are automatically filled with the power of Qi. Working with the outer layer - muscles - refers to the power sections of Qigong practice, and tendons, bones and bone marrow - the inner and intermediate layers of the musculoskeletal system - are worked out in the Qigong section, known as Nei Gong, which is the art of training, development and rejuvenation of the bone marrow and blood.
All body cavities are surrounded by several layers of connective tissues. These include, for example, the pericardial tissue surrounding the heart and the pleural tissue of the lungs. Connective tissues surrounding the stomach, liver, kidneys and other organs of the abdominal cavity have protective and regenerating properties, and also perform the function of providing nutrition and mechanical communication between organs.
The structure of connective tissues is layered. Unlike a number of specific massage practices that work in layers, starting from the outer layer, in the Iron Shirt they are filled with Qi, starting from the deepest inner layers. The stagnant energy is thus not driven into the energy structure, but is consistently and methodically squeezed out, being replaced by the fresh force of Qi. It is the connective tissues that are the receptacle for the energy and physicomechanical consequences of physical and psychological traumas, therefore, an increase in energy exchange in them releases stressful psycho-energy blocks and relieves even the most chronic tensions. Due to this, consciousness gains access to those stressful psychostructures that correspond to the body's memory of certain events of a lived life and pre-life development and are hidden in the unconscious, also called the subconscious.
Another reason why the development of connective tissues in the system of Taoist integral psychotraining is given such significant importance is their decisive role in the distribution of Qi power through the channels of the human energy structure. The results of the most modern instrumental studies of the characteristics of the distribution of Qi in the energy structure of a person indicate that the gaps between adjacent layers of connective tissue have the least resistance to the passage of bioenergy flows. The location of the chains with the highest conductivity corresponds exactly to the location of the meridional channels.
By working with forcing breathing techniques, we fill the internal organs with Qi and make it radiate from them, accumulating in the inner layer of connective tissue. Further increase in the course of the practice of the Iron Shirt of the internal pressure of Qi in the organs and the inner layer of the connective tissue causes Qi to sequentially fill more and more of its outer layers. In the end, all the internal organs and endocrine glands are, as it were, wrapped in powerful connective tissue pillows filled with Qi power under high pressure. They not only protect everything that is inside them from adverse external mechanical and energy influences, but, if necessary, also provide functional energy supply to the internal organs and other vital structures of the body.
Further practice of the Iron Shirt increases the density of filling the connective tissues with the power of Dm so much that the latter begins to be intensively pumped out of them into the bones, tendons and, finally, into the skeletal muscles.
Food consumed in excess. - and this is currently happening all the time - is not consumed in the form of energy, but is stored by the body in the form of fat deposits in the outer layers of connective tissue. In addition to the purely physical and aesthetic inconvenience that these deposits cause us, they also significantly reduce the density of Qi flows, significantly increasing the resistance of the energy structure. As a result of the practice of the Iron Shirt, all the energy stored in the body in the form of fat, obtained from food, is converted into pure Qi. Fat burns, and the energy released as a result accumulates in the form of pure Civ in the connective tissues. In addition, in this process, the body learns to consciously transform fat into energy only due to the corresponding volitional impulse. Thus, the fundamental possibility of the formation of unwanted fat deposits is gradually completely eliminated.
The injection of energy into the connective tissues of the musculoskeletal system turns the latter into a single structural and functional unit. Muscles tighten and tighten, tendons become strong and elastic, their connections with bones become very dense and resistant to all kinds of dynamic and static overloads. Qi from the connective tissues is forced under pressure into the muscles and bones. In the end, the bones are filled with Qi to the very core. The processes of cell division of bone marrow tissues change, bone marrow regeneration occurs, and even in the elderly, red bone marrow is restored up to the maximum filling of intraosseous cavities with it - just like in a child.
In the process of working with Iron Shirt techniques, we use different kinds lower breathing and manipulation of the abdominal and pelvic muscles. Due to this, breathing begins to provide invaluable assistance to the heart and the entire circulatory system. It is no secret that about sixty percent of the total amount of blood is constantly in the abdominal organs. Due to this, when working with forcing breathing, the abdominal cavity turns into a second heart, the performance of which is almost several times higher than the performance of the heart muscle itself. Moreover, in addition to the purely mechanical aspect of the circulatory-regulatory function of the abdominal cavity during the Iron Shirt practice, there is also an energy aspect, which, when a person reaches a certain level of fitness, far exceeds the first in its value. All this together has such a powerful cleansing and training effect that both the energy structure and the physical body completely get rid of all types of toxins, toxins and pollution, which greatly reduce the efficiency of the functioning of the organs and systems of the body of an ordinary person in his usual state.
The meditation techniques used in the Iron Shirt practice allow much more Chi to be forced into the energy structure under pressure than is normally present in it. Attempts to increase the energy status of the body through conventional exercise, so popular today in the West, do not lead to any serious results, because at a certain stage, an increase in energy pressure begins to have a destructive effect on the heart. Meditative practices of conscious work with Qi allow you to accumulate an unimaginably huge amount of energy in the system. * As a result, as Qi begins to flow more and more freely in the body, a person becomes aware of new aspects of being, and ever wider horizons of spiritual self-awareness open up before him.
b. Prevention of energy leakage and dissipation.
The Qi energy circulating in the human body has a regenerative property. According to the views of Taoist masters confirmed by thousands of years of practice, a person can transform his inner Qi into any components of his body. Therefore, one of the most important sections of the Iron Shirt practice is the art of preventing uncontrolled dissipation of Qi and the formation of areas in the body where it could accumulate. Due to the accumulation of Qi in the body, a full-fledged energy body is subsequently formed, without which any significant spiritual development. Ordinary person ______________
* By transferring it into more racing vibrational states and transferring it to more subtle, multidimensional and, as a result, much more energy-intensive levels of the energy structure, corresponding to higher functional levels of consciousness and higher layers of the psyche. During normal purely physical training, the lion's share of the accumulated energy is concentrated on the physical - just three-dimensional - level - (approx. Transl.).
_____________
century in his daily life constantly senselessly and mediocrely loses a huge amount of energy, which dissipates uncontrollably through the so-called openness of ted. In the process of Iron Shirt practice, we learn to manage the state of these openings and control the energy flows through them. At will, we can completely close them and keep them closed in order to accumulate energy, and instantly open them completely in order to carry out a powerful impulse release of Qi force of one quality or another.* In order to concentrate a huge amount of Qi force in the body, they use the Qi condensation technique into the ball in the lower dan tien.
___________
* This art of controlling the body's openness and Qi flows can be used both in healing practice and as a magical weapon - (approx. Transl.).
____________
From there, the power of Qi can be redistributed in the energy structure as you like, giving the energy any vibrational characteristics, transferring it to any subtle planes to form an energy body - the carrier of the immortal Spirit.
2. Iron Shirt as a means of radically increasing life expectancy.
The normal life expectancy of ancient Taoist masters was five hundred to a thousand years. Unlike the attitudes towards material well-being that prevail in today's society, the then understanding of harmony was based on a stable balanced interaction of material aspirations and the desire for spiritual self-realization. Yogis and Taoist masters have always talked about inner world a man who can be reached and who is a complete reflection of the entire grandiose outer universe. It is the full-fledged self-awareness of a person as a potentially infinite spiritual being that is considered by Taoist masters to be the goal of human life. And this life should go on as much as possible so that a person can have time to really move forward in this. The prospects are truly endless. And Taoists know how to implement them. The whole point is only in constant, properly constructed training.
“A person must live at least a hundred years. After all, his life is in his own hands and not in the hands of some unknown Universal Being.” This is one of the ancient Taoist sayings. Such an optimistic positive attitude towards the issue of life expectancy could only be characteristic of those who knew exactly what is behind human life, in whose hands it really is, and how to make it all full, active and conscious, regardless of its duration.
The point is that the main distinctive feature It is the Taoist systems of integral training that are their accuracy and thorough alignment of each step in everything related to the practice of controlling the power of Qi. Every technique, every step, every shade of any Taoist technique has been practiced for thousands of years. The results of each action taken in accordance with the settings training system, are known and predictable, therefore, if the Taoist masters say: “Doing this and that, you will get such and such a result,” they invariably turn out to be right. Based on the foregoing, it is not difficult to guess why in the traditions of Taoist Yoga it is not customary to rush things. “You go quieter - you will continue” - the formula is quite universal.
3. Results of Iron Shirt Qigong Practice.
but. On the physical plane.
As a result of the practice of the Iron Shirt, the general psycho-energetic status of a person radically changes and the ordinary human body is transformed into a powerful integrated energy structure, all elements of which ideally conduct the flows of Qi force and, functioning in the optimal mode, are always absolutely controlled by the will if necessary. The strength, strength and endurance of such a body are truly fantastic, with a chronological age of fifty to sixty years, it can have the biological characteristics of a twenty to twenty-five-year-old organism. Due to the development of the Qi Belt, a strong stable interaction is established between the energy channels of the upper and lower parts of the body. In a normal, average state, this interaction in an ordinary person, as a rule, is disturbed. A significant increase in the density of energy flows in the body leads to complete detoxification of the body and the release of the energy structure from toxins and stressful energy blocks, forcing the Qi force into the tissue develops a phenomenal resistance of the body to adverse external mechanical, physicochemical, biogenic, field and radiation energy effects. Dense energy grounding allows a person to learn to withstand truly crushing mechanical attacks, grounding the force of their impact by passing it through the bone structure. A person who has fully mastered the technique of grounding is able to easily withstand not only the strongest punches or kicks, but also remain motionless when exposed to several people. There are masters who cannot be moved even by twenty or thirty strong men at the same time.* A person acquires the ability to easily generate Qi flows in the body and fully consciously control them, transferring Qi from dense to more subtle planes, and on the basis of the energy body forming the body of the soul and the body of the immortal Spirit.
b. Neither psycho-emotionally.
A person learns the technique of transforming negatively colored emotional energy into energy positive property. All energy is concentrated into a single, fully controlled mass and compressed into a ball of Qi force in the Lower Dan Tien. This prevents uncontrolled energy leakage, which inevitably occurs if excess
* As a result of the practice of the Iron Shirt in the perception of a person, the gap between the dense physical and subtle energy bodies is reduced, if not completely disappears - (approx. Transl.).
________________
Qi is not condensed and is constantly moving in the body in the form of powerful currents. If the force is collected in the lower dan tien, it can always be drawn from there and used as additional energy in situations when it is necessary. There are ways to condense force into a ball through mechanical manipulation of the abdominal muscles. One who has mastered these techniques perfectly can move the Qi ball inside the abdomen. Over time, as a result of practice, mastery comes in controlling the movements of the Qi ball with the help of mental-volitional manipulations alone. The next step is to master the technique of conducting the ball of condensed Qi through all channels of the energy structure with its obligatory return to the lower Dan Tien. * As the skill in controlling the power of Qi in the energy structure grows, the Qi ball turns into a ball of light, the energy density in which becomes unthinkably huge. This ball resembles a pearl. From it subsequently develop the body of the soul and the body of the immortal Spirit.
in. On the spiritual plane.
In order for spiritual self-awareness to become a reality and for a person to gain the freedom of a self-aware Spirit, thereby gaining continuity of self-awareness that is not affected by the death of the physical body, its energy structure must undergo appropriate changes and develop, acquiring fundamentally new qualities.
The decisive factor in the success of any practice of this kind is the reality of sensations. Not to visualize or invent anything, but to really feel the flow of Qi force, its condensation into a ball and the movement of this ball - (approx. Transl.).
IN. Short review Iron Shirt Qigong exercises.
In the exercises presented in this work, the main attention is paid to energy work with connective tissue and some bone structures, as well as with individual tendon complexes.
In total, there are forty-nine exercises in the original tradition of the art of Iron Shirt Qigong. Based on them, eight key complex techniques arose, developing all the main energy channels of the human body with amazing accuracy and efficiency.
Here are the traditional ancient names of the eight key Iron Shirt techniques: “The Qi tree in the arms of the Great Warrior”, “The Great Warrior carries the golden cauldron” - the yin and yang phases, “The Golden Turtle plunges into the abyss of waters” - the yin phase, “The water buffalo rises from unknown depths” - the yin phase, “Wonderful bird Phoenix rinses golden feathers in the flow of Heavenly Qi”, “Iron Bridge across the eternity of the Great River” and “Steel log in the flow of stopped Qi”.
The operation of the eight key techniques of the Iron Shirt is based on an ancient principle, which is traditionally formulated as follows:
The movement of the mind moves the Qi, the movement of Qi moves the blood,* the movement of blood moves the muscles, the movement of muscles moves the tendons, the movement of the tendons moves the bones.**
* As a result, among other things, the load on the heart decreases - (author's note).
** Of course, from the point of view of modern physiology, the part of this formula concerning the ratio of blood movement and muscle movement does not look quite correct, but there is no doubt that at the very beginning there should be a movement of the mind - (approx. transl.).
At the core of Iron Shirt's training effect on muscles, tendons and bones is stress - fully controlled stress at a very precise dosage. This is the reason for such a beneficial effect of the Iron Shirt techniques on the human body and their exceptional effectiveness. The stresses to which all elements of the musculoskeletal system are subjected in the course of practice are constantly increasing and making steadily more complex demands both on the entire structure as a whole and on its individual parts. The alertness resulting from such an approach requires maximum freedom of self-regulation of the system. This requirement is a challenge that encourages optimization general condition of the musculoskeletal system and its release from old fixed tensions.* The approach to using physical and energetic stress for training practiced in the Iron Shirt is so perfect that, when applied consistently, it cannot give any undesirable effects. At the same time, along with the radical development and cardinal improvement of the physical body and energy structure, the state of consciousness is being optimized, in particular, the sphere of emotions. A person gains self-confidence, calmness and the ability to enjoy every moment of life, no matter what challenge life throws at that moment. Many Iron Shirt practitioners unanimously claim that this gives them a feeling of centered energy structure and, accordingly, consciousness, a feeling of dense grounding, mental and physical strength, fully protected openness and readiness for spiritual ascent.
"* This can be characterized as the process of acquiring the fluidity necessary for the energy structure and the physical body to achieve completeness of control and freedom of conscious choice of the modes of functioning of the energy structure - (approx. Transl.).
An ordinary person perceives the parts of his body as separate elements of the system, each living its own life and controlled by each from its separate center in the mind. The energy impact of the Iron Shirt integrates the body, integrating in parallel the perception by a person of his body, which turns into a single fused structure, all parts of which work harmoniously under the control of a single will centered at the point of human self-awareness. This is manifested primarily in the form of optimization of the functional modes of the physical body. The results increase exponentially with the amount of practice.
The integral training system of Taoist Yoga is composed of many practices. You can work with any of its individual components, but it is better to follow the tradition and combine work in all areas in one holistic approach. Otherwise, they may be allowed methodological errors. Let's say trying to practice Tai Chi Quan without first deepening the energy structure with the help of the Iron Shirt would be tantamount to trying to study at a university without first learning how to read and write.
Tai Chi is based on precise structural organization. This foundation is laid by the practice of the Iron Shirt. Tai Chi practitioners do not always understand what they are doing. Following the correctness of the forms of movements, they load their minds with details so much that they no longer have enough strength to control the flows of Qi. The Iron Shirt develops the ability to feel the Qi flows in the body, control their movement and distribution and control them with the help of mental-volitional mani*** Far from always coordinating its impulses with the needs of the system as a whole and, in particular, with the needs of central self-awareness - true “ I” of a person - (approx. per.)
pooling. Having sufficiently thoroughly mastered the art of working with energy flows in static stances, a person acquires the ability to subtly feel the real processes occurring in the energy structure during the practice of Tai Chi. And this already excludes a mechanistic approach to this great art of dynamic interaction with the World.
So - first the meditative techniques of the small celestial circle or the Microcosmic Orbit in combination with the Iron Shirt, and only after that - Tai Chi Quan. This is the traditional approach of Taoist Yoga. At the same time, the management of energy flows in Qigong practice itself transforms into Tai Chi movements, the deep and complete practice of which leads, at a minimum, to the fusion of the five elements or the first level of Kan and Li enlightenment.*
* For more information about this, see M. Chia's book “Tao - the awakening of light. Taoist Light Meditation Techniques.
D. Three levels of the Iron Shirt.
The first level of the Iron Shirt art - the Iron Shirt itself - is the practice of filling the internal organs with the Power of Qi and energizing the connective tissues.
The second level of the Iron Shirt is the ancient art of “educating ligaments”, as a result of which, due to the interaction of the will of the mind and the will of the heart, the qualitative state of the tendon tissues changes. They acquire amazing elasticity and strength, thanks to which a person becomes able to demonstrate the wonders of combining unprecedented flexibility and superhuman strength.
The third level of the Iron Shirt is ancient secret technique Nei Gong is the art of purifying the depths adipose tissue, located in the cavities of the tubular bones of the skeleton of an adult, are transformed into red bone marrow - the state characteristic of the developing organism of a child is restored. As a result, the mode of functioning of all organs and systems changes dramatically, the human body becomes young, and the work of the body's defense systems acquires a completely new quality.
2. PREPARATION
A. Basic breathing and relaxation techniques
In none of the exercises described below, you should not strain excessively. Basically, success depends on how much you can control your mind and how much you can relax. While practicing the chin lock, do not try to press the chin strongly against the sternum, tilting the head and neck forward, but on the contrary, pull the top of the head up from the very cervicothoracic junction G-7. At the same time, the chest should be relaxed, the spine in the thoracic region should be freely extended upwards. Otherwise, you will not be able to avoid pain in the heart and breathing problems. Be sure to practice the Inner Smile and the Microcosmic Orbital Meditation.* If at any point in your practice you experience tremors or other involuntary movements in your body, don't be alarmed. This - normal phenomena, they can occur when deep study energy structure. Relax and allow your body to respond freely to the processes taking place in it in the way it wants.
If during the practice you have a feeling of accumulation of tension in the body, pat your torso with your palms.
* These techniques are described in detail in the book “Tao - the awakening of light”. In this paper, a brief summary of them is given.
up and down nine to eighteen times to eliminate it. It may happen that during the practice you will begin to salivate profusely. DON'T NEVER SPIT IN ANY WAY!!! SALIVA IS ONE OF THE BODY'S MOST VALUABLE ENERGY ELIXIR. Just press your chin to your chest, collect all the saliva above the tongue, smile at yourself, concentrating a smile between the eyebrows. With an exhalation, direct the concentrated force of a smile down and mix it with saliva. With the tip of your tongue, touch the sky above the upper gum and with an intense movement of the swallowing muscles swallow all the saliva, directing it into the stomach. Draw the smile force concentrated in saliva down, distribute it through the intestines and collect it in the lower dan tien. Try to get a real feeling of concentrated heat in the abdomen behind the navel.
During the first week the Iron Shirt breath is practiced twice a day, during the second week three times. Then, over the next two weeks, the number of workouts gradually increases so that by the end of the fourth week it reaches six to nine times a day. Initially, workouts should be very short - just a few minutes. As the general psycho-energetic status increases, they can be gradually lengthened.
1. Lower and reverse types of breathing (fiery breathing).
Anyone who has never practiced qigong, yoga, swimming or any oriental breathing exercises will experience certain difficulties at first due to insufficient depth of breathing. Respiratory movements will be frequent and superficial, the active volume of breathing is unlikely to exceed one third of the volume of the lungs. Over time, in the course of practice, everything will gradually fall into place, breathing will become deep, full and measured.
The Iron Shirt technique combines several types of breathing. First, in order to relax the muscles, “let go” and energize the connective tissues, lower breathing is practiced. When it becomes measured and harmonious, Qi is concentrated in the lower part of the body. At this point, they switch to reverse breathing. Lower breathing and reverse breathing are the two main types of breath training techniques. When practiced together, they are called energizing breathing, bellows breathing, or fire breathing.
Both downward and backward breathing are performed mainly by alternating upward and downward movements of the diaphragm.
In lower breathing, the downward movement of the diaphragm compresses the abdominal organs, especially the adrenal glands, from top to bottom. At the same time, the lower lobes of the lungs expand and fill with air, and the front wall of the abdomen protrudes. The sternum, on the contrary, slightly lowers, while stimulating the thymus gland - the thymus. During exhalation, the diaphragm rises, the abdominal organs and the anterior wall of the abdomen return to their normal position. With reverse breathing, due to the tension of the muscles of the pelvic floor and the anterior wall of the abdomen, we tighten the stomach during inhalation. In this case, the internal organs are shifted upward. Inhalation is carried out by the entire volume of the lungs, we try to fill to the limit with air not only the lower, but also their middle and upper lobes. As the level of training increases, the diaphragm will learn to make the same full downward movement as with lower breathing, compressing the internal organs from above. When exhaling, the abdomen relaxes

Using the wall as a support and a kind of template, you can feel the moment when your spine takes an elongated, structurally balanced position. Because you need almost any flat, vertical surface to complete this exercise. , which one could lean against, this position can be used almost everywhere as a recovery exercise after working in poses. This position will provide a wonderful way to unload the spinal column and reduce the discomfort of back strain for those who suffer from diseases of the spine (especially sciatica and sciatica).

but. Lower body.

Lean back against the surface of the wall; the heels are located at a distance of about 30-45 cm from the wall. With your knees slightly bent, bend your pelvis back so that your lower spine is pressed firmly against the wall without feeling any discomfort. If you still have discomfort, then you need to master this movement of the pelvis gradually. The upper third of the thighs will be perpendicular to the ground, or slightly deflected towards the wall. Feel comfortable standing against the wall in this way.

b. Feet.

Holding the pads firmly thumbs feet to the floor, spread your toes apart, simultaneously relaxing the foot. Then evenly distribute body weight on three points located on the soles of the feet: thumb, fourth and fifth toes, as well as the middle of the heel. The toes should be relaxed, not strongly resting on the floor; the second fingers should be pointing straight ahead. Keep this position of the feet, even if you feel that it is unusual for you. Try to use this position of the feet in everyday life when walking, doing any exercises, etc.

in. Head, neck and upper spine area.

Press as much of the upper spine as possible flat against the wall surface as possible; you need to start by pressing the coccyx area, keeping the rest of the spine rounded forward so that at first it does not touch the wall. Then begin to "roll" the spine up the wall vertebra by vertebra until you reach the ultimate degree of curvature. At the same time, hold your head as if one force is slightly pushing it back in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe upper lip, and another force is lifting the head by the lid of the skull. Try not to exceed the angle of the head due to excessive pulling of the chin to the collarbones. At the same time, in some, the occipital part of the head may not touch the surface of the wall at all (Fig. 4-4).

g. Shoulder girdle.

Dropping your shoulders down from your ears, swing them out to the sides (fig. 4-5; see also the shoulder exercise described in this chapter).

e. Shoulders, forearms.

There are several possible forearm positions:

1. Lower your arms along your sides so that your palms are facing your torso. This position of the hands is the most natural and suitable for performing various exercises among a crowd of people - for example, at work, when you do not want someone to watch you from the side.
2. Taking position (1) as the starting position, move your elbows back so that they barely touch the wall; while not touching the wall bottom arms or push back shoulders. This position allows you to achieve the correct structural connection of the bones. shoulder girdle. As the elbows are pulled back, the shoulders will naturally also move a little in this direction without experiencing any special effort.
3. Starting position - pressing your back against the wall. Gradually draw the left shoulder away from the wall until only the inner edge of the condyle of the left humerus comes into contact with it. Then slowly restore full contact of the left shoulder with the wall. Do the same with the right shoulder. After completing the exercise, move your hands to position (1) or (2). This exercise contributes to a significant stretching of both humerus bones, while leading to an increase in the width of the shoulders, upper back and expansion of the chest. Besides, it is good preparatory exercise before executing the elements of the complex Iron Shirt, requiring significant strength of the shoulder blades. Provisions (2) and (3) should be abandoned if they lead to significant stress in the shoulder girdle.

e. Stretching of the lumbosacral spine.

To stretch your lower spine more, bend your knees slightly and slide your back down the wall. Then, continuing to firmly press the tailbone area against the wall, slowly begin to straighten your legs. To increase the stretching process, place your hands on your hips and press down, continuing to straighten your legs until starting position. This exercise allows you to significantly stretch the lumbosacral spine, but it should be performed only when the tight pressing of the lower part of the spine against the wall does not cause discomfort. The effectiveness of the exercise can be increased by performing it in emphasis on a wall with a rough surface. Extra stretching of the spine will be especially beneficial for people suffering from pain in the lumbosacral region or sciatica.

well. Breathing in the process of bending the spinal column.

The very position in emphasis on the wall to train the structural alignment of the body organs helps to significantly unload and straighten the spinal column. At the same time, the positive effect does not require the implementation of complexes of special breathing exercises at all. After all, the purpose of this position is not a straight spine, but the ability to straighten it; while the wall allows you to feel the moment when the spine is in the most aligned and straightened position.

The spine of a person with a perfect body structure naturally lengthens during the breathing cycle. Basically, this happens at the time of filling the chest with air when inhaling, when the ribs of the chest rise up and move apart to the sides, causing individual vertebrae to move apart. Thus, the use of the technique of deep chest breathing in the position described above, as well as when Hanging on the Door, allows you to establish natural connections between the process of breathing and the structural balancing of parts and organs of the body (Fig. 4-6).

Having reached the stretching of the spinal column during the exercise, you can further stretch it without resorting to a special technique, due to normal abdominal breathing. inalienable part the normal functioning of the structural mechanism of the body is the opening of the spine for the passage of energy in the process of breathing: this allows you to significantly increase the supply of the organs of the central nervous system with blood, energy qi and cerebrospinal fluid.

Technical breathing skills during spinal traction

a Inhale.

To enhance the effect of doing structural wall training and using breathing exercises, you must first exhale completely. Then inhale slowly and deeply through the nose, directing the energy of the inhalation to the chest area. The anterior abdominal wall of the abdomen should be slightly retracted. While inhaling, observe visually and try to feel how the spinal column is stretched. When the body is relaxed, this will happen automatically. Don't try to force your own efforts. Having caught the moment of elongation of the spine, further focus on the development of this sensation, internally observing how, in the process of inhalation, the lengthening wave, having appeared in the coccyx area, gradually rises up.

b. Exhalation

While exhaling, try to feel that you are not decreasing, but continue to grow upwards. At the same time, you will feel how the back muscles connected into a single structure take over the stretching of the spine initiated by the energy of inhalation. In fact, the upward elongation of the spinal column during exhalation is much less than during inhalation; however, expiratory lengthening is only the result of additional supportive measures on the part of the body to prevent chest collapse. This wave of support, which occurs during exhalation, begins in the head area, gradually spreading downwards.

in. Contraction of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

In the case of a structural blockage of the chest organs, when inhaling with a full chest, it may be necessary to compress the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. Otherwise, when inhaling, the chest will remain practically unexpanded, while the lower abdomen will protrude significantly. Over time, you will need to make less and less effort to keep your stomach in a taut position when inhaling from the chest; you will eventually be able to breathe through your chest without consciously contracting the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

d. Everyday breathing.

This method of chest breathing is a kind of exercise designed to eliminate the structural blockade of the chest organs and maximize the extension of the spinal column. After completing the breathing exercises, try to turn your attention away from how you breathe. Let the breathing process happen naturally. natural breathing is carried out with the help of the lower and middle sections of the abdominal cavity, and the chest area is included only in case of increased physical activity associated with the need to use the full volume of the lungs. Not recommended for use in Everyday life a complete respiratory cycle, since it can lead to stagnation of energy in the chest and head.

Structural alignment of the organs of the head and neck as the basis for traction of the spinal column and the overall structure of the vertical position of the human body

Stretching the spinal column with breathing is possible only when a certain position of the head is maintained: imagine that you are slightly pushed into the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe upper lip, at the same time lifting by the lid of the skull without straining the neck (Fig. 4-7).

Already a slight movement of the chin up and forward will lead to structural violations of the neck, which will cause a general structural distortion of the upper body. In this case, the cervical curvature of the spine will be clearly excessive, which will make it impossible to breathe deeply and freely, since the lumen of the respiratory tube of the throat will be practically closed. But this position of the head and neck is typical for most people, so it is so rare to meet a person who does not have a chronic displacement of the cervical vertebrae.

The position of the head indicated above (when it is raised behind the lid of the skull and slightly shifted back) is the main one when performing most exercises. In addition, this position is the main condition for correct posture and free breathing. Proper structural alignment of the head and neck organs allows for a physiologically favorable relationship between the head proper and the rest of the body. In turn, this allows you to control the state overall structure body. One of the canons of the highest level of meditation in the Taoist system of healing, known as the "Little Enlightenment of Kan and Li", teaches to exercise control over one's own body with the help of the inner eye. Thus, the conscious structural alignment of the organs of the head and neck is the basis of interest in the structural optimization of all organs of the body. Compare: in the practice of Hatha Yoga, the lengthening of the cervical spine, achieved due to the structural alignment of the head-neck complex, is called the "Roots of Discretion", or "The Roots of Reasonable Approach".

At least a little attention to maintaining the structural balance of the head and neck is necessary even after the balanced structural alignment becomes easy and natural. After all, the only most important factor in the correct vertical position of the body is just a slight stretching of the head up with a slight deviation back. In this case, the actual stretching of the cervical vertebrae is extremely insignificant. Almost imperceptible is the tilt of the head back. And yet these two elements ensure the formation of the correct structure of the chest - top part back - spinal column. This is explained by the fact that the head cervical region the spine are a kind of crown of the spinal column, which we strive to stretch; therefore, the structural integration of organs and parts of the body is impossible without this subtle but significant element.

In addition, it is necessary to have a general idea of ​​such a very common phenomenon as cervical vertebral dysplasia. Having brought the body into a state of structural alignment, push the chin up and forward, thus removing it from the general equilibrium structure. You will immediately feel how the muscles of the back of the neck contract, the lumen of the larynx closes, the chest becomes hollow due to the prolapse of the sternum; the shoulders will round forward due to the formation of an excessive curvature of the cervicothoracic spine, breathing will become difficult and the traction of the spinal column will be impossible at all. Then do breathing exercise for a Traction of the Spinal Column that needs to be repaired proper fit head - and you will immediately feel the complete energy openness of all the organs of your body.

There is a close relationship between the constant control of the optimal body structure, the correct vertical position of the trunk and the free, unimpaired position of the head and neck. This relationship becomes especially evident when performing exercises of the complex. Iron Shirt. The desire to maintain the correct structural position of the head and neck, combined with an attentive attitude to the general structure of the body, is an expression of an independent will to perfection. On the other hand, structure optimization own body in the mode of complete relaxation, it has the most favorable effect on the formation and strengthening of this will.

I intend to write a series of books that would reflect the worldview of the Taoist masters as a whole. Thus, each of my works reveals certain aspects of the Taoist teaching and the corresponding aspects of practice.

Each book is dedicated to some of the Taoist systems of self-improvement of a human being. And if you wish. You can limit yourself to practicing only what is described in this particular book. However, it seems to me that we should not forget: all Taoist systems of self-improvement are facets of the same precious crystal of a single tradition of Taoist Yoga, all of them have been practiced together since ancient times.

Therefore, it is best to integrate the material presented in each of my books into the general flow of practice. This will make your training harmonious and comprehensive, will allow you to most fully combine its physical, energy, psychotechnical and spiritual aspects, which, of course, will not be slow to affect its effectiveness and result.

To download a book

Correspondence online training "Qigong - Iron Shirt"

you can get through online learning on this course, presented in the book Mantak Chia. To do this, register on the Healing Tao Academy website and select the required course in the list of Academy courses to order.

Face-to-face training in practices under the program "Healing Tao"

In our center - the official representation of Manteka Chia in Russia, seminars and classes are regularly held with certified instructors of the "Universal Tao" system.

Seminars and classes in the center "Shen" on Qigong - Iron Shirt.

• Our center holds regular seminars on the practices presented in this book by Manteka Chia.

• You can also sign up for individual consultations and classes on Manteka Chia practices at a convenient time for you. Classes are conducted by senior instructors of the "Universal Tao" system Manteka Chia

This complex became widespread and world famous thanks to the Master and his published book guide.

Qigong "Iron Shirt" is a system of a potentially new level that allows you to return mobility, flexibility to the physical body, nourish it vitality And qi. Like everyone else Chinese practices, this technique came to us from the teachings of ancient monks who studied the course of the Tao, its capabilities and influence on people.

Mantak Chia Qigong "Iron Shirt"

The Iron Shirt qigong technique occupies one of the main places in the disciplines of Taoist monks. This technique develops both the energy body and the physical body. Wise Taoists have used these trainings since ancient times to heal the body, harden their spirit, expand consciousness and increase strength. qi.

In the era of Bo-lin, there was a real flowering of qigong and, in particular, the Iron Shirt technique. At this time, almost the entire population of China was learning to control their qi from early childhood. For the most part, such training was used to improve the fighting skills of the body, so it was on the "Iron Shirt" that special emphasis was placed. Chinese warriors hit their opponents with their trained qi, and the enemies could not inflict serious damage on them, because the whole body of the warriors was made as if from iron.

Qigong made it possible to achieve phenomenal results - all organs, skin, tendons and bones were invulnerable. Life-giving energy qi penetrated into every part of the body, protected it, and the body released a new stream qi. As a result, a closed system was created based on the circulation qi.

What does the iron shirt qigong technique give?

• The energy message of the whole body is normalized, flows qi nothing interferes, and therefore the energy spreads throughout the body.
• Thanks to the perfect circulation of Qi in the body, it resists any physical impact.
• Strength qi the practice protects from any diseases - they simply cannot break through the energy aura that surrounds the body like a shield.
• No stress can shake nervous system, it is absolutely elastic and only slightly bends under the pressure of negative energy, not letting it in.
• If desired, the practitioner can let the negative energy into himself, mix it with his own positive and turn all this volume into a positive force.
• Improved ability to store energy qi in the Dan Tien and do not spray it.

Mantek Chia Qigong "Iron Shirt" is a set of trainings for acquiring amazing skills and abilities. From an early age, the master began to study the currents of Tao, engaged in traditional oriental practices. He is one of the founders of the Universal Tao movement, as well as the founder of a New York center for healing based on the forces of the Tao.

Hard qigong masters believe that in everyday life ordinary people lose and waste too much of their energy. As a result, already at a young age, health problems, lack of vitality and premature wilting occur.

A notable feature of the Iron Shirt complex is the ability of the practitioner to accumulate and retain a huge concentration of power in his body. qi. The master does not release this power from himself outside without special need or without his own desire, which is why the effect of "armored skin", which is so well known to the Chinese, is preserved.

Even in the absence of a pronounced muscle mass, a person is able to show remarkable strength, stamina, and easily avoid fatal wounds and injuries.

"Iron Shirt" - a system that allows you to collect flows qi mostly in the torso. However, this does not mean that this force cannot be transferred to other areas of the human body. A true Master is capable of redirecting the flow with the power of thought alone. qi to any point in your body.

Taoist practice of hard qigong - a complex system of accumulation and distribution of energy qi, each exercise in it was perfected by the Teachers for tens of hundreds of years.

As in wellness qigong, breathing practice is important here. Still the same streams of power qi penetrate into his body along with the inhaled air. However, for a powerful concentration of this energy in the body, completely different exercises are used. Many of them are aimed at overcoming their pain, tempering the physical shell and spirit.

The Taoists believed that it was precisely such a technique that would cut off the unnecessary, leave behind the vain experiences of the human world, weakening the spirit and get rid of the causes that cause the futile dispersion of the inner qi. Thanks to the practice of martial qigong, the warriors gained new superpowers and comprehended the void.

Mantak Chia compared vitality to the softness and suppleness of wood and herbs. At birth, people are soft and flexible, they seem to exude the juices of life, like young trees. Before death, people become rough, inflexible, dry, they are like old trees that are easy to break.

The master believes that the dryness and roughness of the body is a sign of approaching death. In order to keep the vital juices inside their physical shell and remain flexible and plastic, practitioners need to learn not to spray qi in vain, to be able to keep it inside your own body.

It is this skill that carries the Iron Shirt system, based on hard qigong techniques and breathing techniques. Sexual energy is inextricably linked with the vital forces. In China, it has been believed since time immemorial that the loss of sexual power is the same inevitable sign of an approaching death, as is dryness and "stiffness" of the body.

Therefore, the task of any spiritual Eastern practice was the restoration of sexual strength, its increase.

A living and healthy person, according to experienced Masters and founders of the eastern hard qigong system, is a person who has a huge supply of energy inside. qi, this is a practitioner whose organs and systems function in the right mode and rhythm. The vital and sexual forces of such a person at any age remain at high level, and diseases and injuries are not able to penetrate the dense veil of the body's defenses.

Qigong "Iron Shirt": exercises

Hard qigong - exercises honed by the Masters and brought to perfection. In the book Mantak Chia "Iron Shirt" there are a total of forty-nine classes, of which eight ready-made training complexes are composed:

1. Wood qi in the arms of the Great Warrior.
2. The Great Warrior carries the golden cauldron (Yin phase).
3. The Great Warrior carries the golden cauldron (Yang phase).
4. The Golden Turtle plunges into the abyss of water.
5. The water buffalo rises from unknown depths.
6. The marvelous Phoenix bird rinses golden feathers in the stream of Heaven Qi.
7. Iron Bridge across the eternity of the Great River.
8. Steel log in a stopped stream Qi.

At the heart of these practices is a feeling of discomfort, or, more simply, stress. The student forces his body to experience loads and stress in order to temper it, to raise his skills to a new level. At the same time, the number of such unpleasant sensations is strictly dosed, supplied exactly in those proportions and quantities that are necessary for the physical body.

During training, the entire musculoskeletal system is activated, the actions of the tendons are activated, the blood inside the body is accelerated, and the flows increase. qi.

Those who practice the Iron Shirt complex begin to feel the integrity and unity of their entire body and body, feel their inner security and openness to the world. While an ordinary person perceives his body as fragmented, for those who do not practice hard qigong, the physical shell consists of separate organs and systems.

"Iron Shirt" has three levels of technology.

• On the first, entry level, the body is filled with strength qi, it nourishes the internal organs and connective tissues.
• At the second level, tendons and ligaments are involved, they become more flexible, plastic and durable.
• The third level is a secret ancient system called Nei-gong, it consists in the art of purifying one's body and the contents of the bones up to the state characteristic of a developing child.

It is thanks to these three levels that the practitioner receives amazing mobility, plasticity, flexibility of his body - ligaments, muscles and even bones.

Qigong, even hard, is, first of all, breathing technique. In Iron Shirt training, the practitioner's attention should also be focused on their breathing. In the process of doing the exercises, you need to relax and get the opportunity to control your mind. Wherein rib cage should not be tense, the thoracic part of the spine is pulled up.

Many novice practitioners note that during training, the activity of the salivary glands increases, the oral cavity is filled with saliva and there is a natural desire to spit it out. But the Masters do not advise doing this. Human saliva also contains a huge supply of energy, it is a kind of life elixir.

For the first week, the Iron Shirt practitioner should do the respiratory system twice a day, and then thrice. By the end of the month breathing exercises should reach six to nine per day, and their duration gradually increases.

IN breathing technique The "Iron Shirt" is distinguished by two types of breathing - lower and reverse.

Lower breathing is the maximum filling of the abdomen with air on inspiration. The training consists of nine cycles for the beginner and thirty-six for the experienced Master. Reverse breathing is to compress muscle corset chest and abdomen on inspiration. You seem to be pressing on your organs, taking in oxygen from your chest.

Fundamental respiratory system for the direct implementation of the methods of the "Iron Shirt" - forcing breathing. It is used while exercising. Also important exercise in this Chinese system is "Injection of force qi". At the same time, the practitioner performs a special respiratory complex, holding your breath and alternately squeezing certain muscles and zones on your body.

An important point in the system of hard qigong "Iron Shirt" are meditations. This technique will allow you to take care of your spirit, mental and psychological state, strengthen the body in all its energy phases of existence. To do this, the complex uses the "Meditation on the Microcosmic Orbit" technique.

Contraindications to exercise

Despite the availability of the system for each practitioner, the Master draws attention to some points and asks to be careful when performing the Iron Shirt complex. So, you should not strain your muscles and tendons, if this is not required by the exercise, the spine and chest should be relaxed.

• If you have hypertension, you should consult with your doctor before exercising;
• Women who are menstruating should not practice "Iron Shirt";
• Keep the diaphragm in the lower position so that the passage of energy flows along the Orbit of the Microcosm is easy;
• When you lower the Qi force into lower part body, the tip of your tongue should rest against the upper palate.

Qigong "Iron Shirt" video lesson

The hard respiratory and strengthening qigong "Iron Shirt" will allow you not only to gain power and inner strength, reviving all the protective functions of the body and strengthening them many times over. A set of classes will literally roll back the process of withering and aging, making you mobile, plastic and fresh, the way you were once in your distant childhood.