Note: this event will be held at Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles (Eagle Rock) 90041

Cultivate strength of body and calmness of mind through the healing Taoist practice of qi gong. Take this rare opportunity to receive instruction in two unique lineages, the Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School, neither of which have previously been fully transmitted to students in the West.

Xiantianwujimen was founded in the Song dynasty (circa 10th to 12th centuries) by Taoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as "the father of qigong.” This lineage specializes in using qigong techniques to build the foundation for sitting meditation.

The Yiquan School was founded by Wang Xiangzhai in the early 20th century. Yiquan is most well-known for its standing qigong postures called Zhangzhuan, which are designed to still the mind while simultaneously gathering and circulating internal energy.

In Level 1, students will be in instructed in various techniques of outer and inner qigong. Outer qigong is concerned with strengthening the muscular-skeletal system - joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and spinal column. It includes techniques of tendon changing, marrow washing, self-massage, and calisthenics. Inner qigong is concerned with nourishing the internal organs and cultivating qi, or internal energy. Students will learn Chen Xiyi's sleeping and walking qigong and Wang Xiangzhai's standing qigong.

In Level 2, students will learn the Nine Self-Massage Technique and the Twelve Devas Tendon-changing system in their entirety. The Self-Massage Technique focuses on stimulating the meridians and acupuncture points and the Twelve Devas forms focus on recovering flexibility, strength, and softness in the tendons and muscles. In addition, students will continue to learn new forms of Wang Xiangzhai's standing qigong that are designed to preserve, gather, and circulate internal energy. Level I qigong is required to attend Level II.

Required Reading: Nourishing the Essence of Life: The Outer, Inner, and Secret Teachings of Taoism by Eva Wong. Copies will be available at the program.

There are no prerequisites for this program. However, students are recommended to attend both levels. Students are also expected to understand that they should not teach any form of Xiantianwujimen or Yiquan Qigong without permission from Eva Wong.

Eva Wong is author and translator of 13 books on the Taoist arts of health, meditation and qigong. She is the 19th-generation lineage carrier of Xiantianwujimen Taoism (Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School of Taoism) and 3rd-generation student of Wang Xiangzhai, founder of Yiquan martial arts and Zhangzhuan (standing qigong). Eva is also a lineage holder of the Hsüan-k'ung (Mysterious Subtleties) school of traditional Chinese feng-shui as well as a practitioner of the San-yüan (Three Periods) and San-ho (Three Combinations) schools. She is offering these programs at Shambhala Centers at the request of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

Half price for those repeating the Levels.

Pre-register for both Level 1/2 and Level 3 for $350 ($300 for members). Pre-registration only. When registering online pay the deposit amount and indicate "Both Weekends" in the comment field. You should register for both weekends but only one deposit is necessary.

The mission of the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is to provide innovative and multicultural arts programming to the communities of North East Los Angeles, and surrounding areas. www.centerartseaglerock.org