Returning to the Basics: Ji Ben Gong and the Art of Flow
Returning to the Basics: Ji Ben Gong and the Art of Flow
In the pursuit of mastery, we often find ourselves chasing complexity—harder skills, deeper knowledge, and advanced techniques. But true mastery is not about accumulation; it is about refinement. It is about returning, time and again, to the fundamentals and rediscovering their depth.
For me, this journey of reconnection often leads back to Ji Ben Gong, the foundational Qigong practice I learned during my teacher training with Nick Loffree. These eight movements are more than just exercises. They are a direct line to the energy that flows through and around us.
Physical movement in Qigong serves a dual purpose: it both opens the channels through which Qi flows and actively moves the vital essence itself, ensuring energy is not just present but circulating freely. Just as a river carves pathways through the land, movement clears energetic blockages, allowing Qi to course through the meridians without resistance. At the same time, movement acts as the current that propels the Qi itself, much like wind stirring the surface of a lake or waves distributing energy across the ocean. Without movement, stagnation sets in—both physically and energetically—leading to disharmony, tension, and fatigue. But through dynamic, intentional practice, we cultivate a body that is supple, a mind that is clear, and an energy system that is vibrant, allowing Qi to flow like water through an unobstructed stream, nourishing every aspect of our being.
And at the heart of this practice is a simple yet profound truth:
“Be like water, my friend.”
Bruce Lee’s iconic words are not just philosophy. They are a guiding principle, a lived experience within my style of Qigong.
The Power of Simplicity: Refining the Flow
Ji Ben Gong is sometimes called "Basic Skills," but don’t let the name fool you. These movements are anything but basic in their impact. They provide the structure, the breath, and the foundation upon which all other energy work is built. When I return to these eight postures, I am reminded that Qigong is not about force; it is about flow.
Each motion trains the body to be supple, yet strong. Each transition teaches us to let go of rigidity and embrace adaptability. This is where Bruce Lee’s wisdom becomes tangible—water does not resist, yet it shapes mountains. It flows around obstacles without effort, yet wears down the hardest stone.
So, too, must we practice.
When we overthink, we stagnate. When we force, we break. But when we flow, we transform.
The Eight Movements: A Return to Flow
Let’s break down these eight movements not just as exercises, but as lessons in energy, adaptability, and connection:
1. Compress the Pearl
A reminder that power is not in brute force but in cultivated energy. We gather, condense, and refine our Qi, much like a pearl forms layer by layer over time.
2. Flying Hands
The effortless movement of air, weightless yet purposeful. This teaches the release of unnecessary tension—true strength lies in economy of motion.
3. Opening the Chest
An expansion of breath, heart, and presence. Just as water expands to fill its container, we must open to the fullness of life, allowing Qi to circulate freely.
4. Upholding the Moon
A lesson in grace and awareness, holding energy with care rather than grasping tightly. Water supports all things without resistance, and so must our energy be lifted with ease.
5. Swimming Dragon
A serpentine flow, embodying the water element in motion. Here, we cultivate adaptability, fluidity, and effortless strength.
6. Diagonal Flying
A dynamic shift in direction, like a current redirecting itself around an obstacle. We learn that movement is not linear; it is a dance with the forces around us.
7. Cow Gazes at the Moon
A posture of deep reflection and presence. Like the still surface of a pond reflecting the moon, this movement teaches us to be both still and receptive to energy.
8. Archer Draws the Heavenly Bow
Strength without rigidity. Power with precision. Just as water can strike with the force of a tidal wave, we learn to direct our energy with intention.
Flow Over Force: The True Nature of Power
When I revisit Ji Ben Gong, I am reminded that Qigong is not about effort—it is about allowing. It is about embodying the effortless power of nature rather than the struggle of human willpower.
Bruce Lee’s words echo in every movement:
💧 Water never resists. Yet it cannot be stopped.
💧 Water does not grasp. Yet it holds all things.
💧 Water is soft. Yet it carves the hardest stone.
As I step into practice, I let these truths guide me. I surrender force, embrace fluidity, and let my energy move like water—flowing, adapting, and refining itself over time.
Returning to Ji Ben Gong is not stepping backward. It is a return to source, a return to the place where all movement begins.
And from that place, we grow stronger than ever.
