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East Meets Midwest

Dr. Michael Frost, developer of Qi Robics®

Phenomenal Films is excited to have just completed production on the soon-to-be-released instructional DVD,       “Qi Robics: Keep Fit Qi Gong” and it looks heavenly! Dr. Michael Frost is the developer of this new exercise form which integrates the best practices from both Qi Gong and TaiJiQuan.

With over 30 years experience in Asian healing science and movement arts, Dr. Frost is a certified member of the Chinese National Qi Gong Institute. He studied with Taoist masters Mantak Chia and Hua Ching Ni, and is the founding director of the American Association of Taoist Studies. His company, Alternative Strategies in Healing, based in Cleveland, Ohio, can provide more information about Qi Robics and Dr. Frost’s holistic medical services, but here’s a summary of my research on and experience of it.

What exactly are Qi Gong and TaiJiQuan?

In case your not familiar with this internal Chinese meditative tradition, Qi Gong (pronounced “CHEE-kung”) uses slow graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques to promote the circulation of qi within the human body. Qi in Chinese means “vitality” and gong, “cultivation,” so by doing these movements, you can build energy, strength, and improve general health without the “no pain, no gain” philosophy which some Western exercise regimes have touted in the very recent past. In fact, the practice of Qi Gong can reportedly alleviate or entirely eliminate pain and other ailments.

TaiJiQuan (pronounced “Tie gee chwan”) is a style of Qi Gong. Dr. Frost defines TaiJiQuan as “the ancient Chinese art of uniting the mind, body and nature. It unleashes the body’s instinctual vitality through beautiful movements designed after the behavior of such animals as the snake, tiger, monkey, praying mantis and crane. These movements unblock the channels of energy (merdians) flowing through the body, and release deep-seated tension.”  His Tall Rice section of the workout features several animal movements with such names as “Rabbits on Parade,” “Big Ape Moves Hands,” “Elephant Swings Trunk,” and “Monkey Climbs Tree.”

From other sources, I found that TaijiQuan also translates as “Supreme Ultimate Shadowboxing.” [1] Given my love for studying light and shadows, I found this a rather enticing description. After further investigation, I found the following explanation as to what it could possibly mean:

In this solo practice [Taiji Quan] one fights (boxes) with one’s ego to attain the highest refinement of self. In both the West and in China, the ego is like the shadow of one’s supreme self. [2]

Couldn’t we all use a little self-directed ego sparring to help reveal the face of our true selves? Maybe pretending to be various animals helps with ego reduction. It’s hard not to like the exercises though since they are so fun to do, making you feel like a playful kid again. At the same time, the physical power of the animal movements empowers you on other levels, making you feel that you can conquer any kind of obstacle.

Besides being an all-around fortifying exercise regime, Qi Robics was indeed very beautiful to see and film. At times, the exercises reminded me of graceful ballet movements, meaningful Theatre of the Abs-urd (my term since the “Laughing Qi Gong” exercises are a riot to see and do, and good for the abs, too), or cool martial art film sequences minus the butt-kicking. Qi Gong is not a martial art, but can appear similar to the beginner since many martial artists practice Qi Gong movements, too. [3] I can see why Maya Deren and other more mainstream filmmakers found martial arts movements to be such cinematic eye-candy. In Maya Deren’s case, they inspired her to make “Meditation on Violence,” an experimental martial arts short film, but if I were to make an experimental short of Dr. Frost’s Qi Robics exercise system, I would called it nothing other than “Meditation on Peacefulness.”

Peace

Believe me, this “Way” is even more interesting and powerful in what it can do for you. I personally practiced the movements with him several times before we began production, and each time walked away relaxed to the core, yet filled with so much energy and vigor. I’d also estimate that a one-hour Qi Robics session rivaled two dedicated hours at the gym. Plus, Qi Robics works not only the muscles, but the various internal organs and glands, as well. No equipment is needed (not even a mat) - just your body and a space large enough to extend your limbs. Even an office cubicle would work fine, and I would gamble that the resulting serenity and focus from practicing it during a couple of ten-minute “slacking sessions” will make you more productive, more content while sitting for long periods in an office chair and happier to be there, too. In future posts, I’ll be telling you more about my daily practice of Qi Robics.

So yes, Grasshopper, it will take a little patience to learn the movements, but we’ve designed the two-disc DVD set with both the beginner and advanced practitioner in mind.  One disc is basically dedicated to the training demos which show the movements slowed down and from multiple angles so as to view what different body parts are doing in sync. During the demos, Dr. Frost also eloquently expounds on the reasons for doing particular practices. The second disc is for the practitioner who has mastered the training demos and wants to be accompanied during the practices. The beauty of both discs is that the exercises are grouped together into memorably-titled sections. So if you only have ten minutes on your hands, you can do just one section until you have another chunk of free time.

I’ll also be posting short videos of some of the movements over the course of the next month as we move forward with the editing. Try out Qi Robics from your cube for a week or two, and let us know if you don’t feel your microcosm expand!