Shanghai 2006

Shire Hill Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa

Association

The Complete Therapeutic and Health Care System

Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa

The Complete Therapeutic and health-care exercise

By Kevin McQuaid

In May 2006, a UK team attended and competed in The 11th Shanghai International Exchange Conference of Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa. As far as they are aware, they are the first Europeans to achieve this – thank-fully, they came away with two silver awards and were allowed to demonstrate Xu Shi Ba Fa with a team from China.

Lian Gong is not particularly well known or practiced in the UK. “At a glance”, it promises the following:

Freedom from Sports Injury
Health Vitality and Energy
Relief from problems related to the neck, shoulders, back, waist and legs
Relief from digestive disorders, migraines, hypertension heart problems, joint diseases, arthritis and crooked spine
Alleviation of headaches and common colds
Heightened mental and physical fitness
Strengthening and toning of the body
Improved mind and body co-
ordination
Mental flexibility, body balance, rhythm and timing
Management of stress and attainment of mental tranquility.

About Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming

Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming, the inventor of Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa, was born in Shanghai on November 22, 1919. In his early days, he learnt Wushu from the legendary master and famous doctor Master Wang Ziping, who was held in great reverence for his extraordinary abilities as a Wushu teacher and for his healing prowess as a doctor.

As part of his training in Wushu, Dr. Zhuang also trained in the art of "pulling the flag" under Master Wang Zi Ping. He would lie on his side, flat on the ground next to a flagpole, gripping the pole and quickly ascend the pole with legs extended out horizontally like a flag. Dr. Zhuang was awarded a gold medal for his performance of "pulling the flag" in the National Sports Performance and Competition Conference in 1953.

Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming underwent schooling and graduated from the Chinese Traditional Medical College in Shanghai. He specialised in traumatology (study of pathology and treatment of injuries) and commenced practice in his Masters clinic where he learnt martial arts as well as worked with patients. He was an expert in setting broken bones and in treating dislocations.

When China nationalised its whole system and banned all private practice, Dr. Zhuang went to work for the Government hospital. He treated 600 to 800 patients everyday with the help of his students and proved to be a doctor par excellence. He achieved tremendous results and taught patients to heal themselves with Lian Gong. This resulted in the Ministry of Health taking up Lian Gong for research with the help of reputed doctors, sportsmen, scientists and professors of medical universities. Based on the report of the health bureau, the government promoted Lian Gong all over China and millions now practice it.

Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa

- In more detail

Lian Gong is a complete set of therapeutic and health care exercises developed in China by Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming to combat modern forms of stress caused by improper body posture, structure and balance leading to damage of joints, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. Dr. Zhuang believes that soft tissue strain is the main reason for neck, shoulder, waist, leg and joint pain.

The exercises aim at the prevention and treatment of common and frequently occurring diseases. Combining medical treatment (particularly Chinese massage techniques –“Tuina”) with sports exercises, they encourage people to actively self-treat rather than passively accept medical treatment.

There are fifty-four exercises, divided into three routines as follows:

Qian Shi Ba Fa

For the prevention and treatment of pains in the neck, shoulders, waist and legs.

Hou Shi Ba Fa

For the prevention and treatment of joint pain, repetitive strain injury, tennis elbow and internal organ disorder.

Xu Shi Ba Fa (Yi Chi Kung)

For the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis and weak cardio-respiratory functions of middle-aged / older people.

The main characteristics of Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa are:

Exercises target specific areas in specific ways.
Movements with emphasis laid on inner strength and the creation of Chi. Comfortable / warm /relaxed revitalisation and relief.
Extensive range of movement encourages greater relaxation.
Slow / coherent movement and natural harmonisation of the body.
Movements co-
ordinated with natural breathing.
Simple and easy movements for self-prevention and treatment.

Who can benefit?

Almost anyone can benefit from practicing Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa. But, in particular….

Office Workers

Soft tissue strain is caused by long-term repeated excessive fatigue or continuous work in the same posture keeping the muscles in a state of tension. As time passes, the muscles remain under a continuous state of tension / convulsion with the soft tissue and muscle fibre hardening and restricting movement. Problems such as tennis elbow develop. Weather and environmental factors also play a part with bodily tensions being exacerbated by cold, damp, wind, air-conditioning and electric fans etc.

Similarly, the spaces between the vertebrae reduce with repetitive actions and natural posture is lost. In particular, waist strain is caused by prolonged sitting.

Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa has also found to be a great stress reliever in workplaces in China and Japan.

Children

Bad posture begins in childhood and becomes worse if not corrected. Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa can prevent this happening.

Sportspeople

Lian Gong prepares sportspeople to bring their minds and bodies to a complete state of readiness in a very short time, leaving no joint, bone, muscle, ligament, tendon, cartilage or tissue unattended. The ligaments and tendons develop elasticity thereby giving an edge in terms of speed and power whilst making them less prone to injury.

The hallmark of Lian Gong is lifting of the chest cavity providing constant stimulation to the internal organs, which in turn creates natural body resistance to disease and injuries.

The other remarkable feature of Lian Gong is that it will only leave you refreshed, fighting fit and NOT exhausted. It is the ultimate warm-up and work-out.

The Elderly / People recovering from illness

Lian Gong was initially viewed as being similar to Chi Kung, Pilates and Yoga. While there are some similarities, Lian Gong is unique in that within the various postures, a deeper stretch is formed by combining an isolation of the targeted areas with breathing and a stretching of the torso.

Lian Gong is taught slowly and methodically. Practitioners are encouraged to carry-out moderate movements to begin with and slowly progress / enhance the movements until full range of movement and accuracy is attained. Consequently, the exercises are suitable for the elderly and because core stability is improved, the exercises may be used as part of a falls prevention programme etc.

Lian Gong is also an effective supplement to medical treatment. For example, for arthritis sufferers, the exercises support the musculature around the affected joints, relieving pressure and helping to prevent further wear and tear.

Because the exercises are performed in a slow and relaxed way, they have also proved effective for people undergoing cardiac rehabilitation therapies.

Coaching and Associations

Following the Exchange Conference, the UK team attended the 3rd Training Camp for Coaches, which was run by Zhuang Jian Shen, son of the inventor and now chief instructor. After both practical and written examinations, they were all awarded their certificates.

After their success, the UK team were asked to form their own Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa associations. As a result, two associations have now been formed Shire Hill Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa Association and High Peak Lian Gong Association (UK). The aims of both organisations are the same, namely:

To promote the practice of Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa in the UK and beyond;
To train good personnel so that the exercise system can be taught more widely;
To encourage further associations to be formed;
To organise exchange activities to promote authenticity, accuracy and excellence.

Further Information

Kevin McQuaid, Shire Hill Lian Gong shirehillliangongshibafa@hotmail.com

Article first published in Tai Chi Chuan Magazine 2006