The Eight Golden Treasures Qi Gong is one of the oldest health-strengthening folk exercises in China and was created over 800 years ago. The history of these dynamic exercises dates back thousands of years, developed by the ancient Taoist people and refined by the soldiers and warriors of ancient China. The Eight Golden Treasures evolved successfully as part of the art of building health and preventing disease and represents a complete physical, mental and spiritual therapy.
The Eight Golden Treasures Qi Gong emphasizes dynamic yet soft, slow, rhythmic movements of the body synchronized with deep diaphragmatic breathing. Literally translated as ‘Working the Energy’, Qi Gong is known as the root of Chinese medicine and philosophy. Based on Traditional Chinese Medical theories of balancing Yin and Yang elements, this set of Qi Gong movements was created with a focus on stretching the tendons, loosening the joints, strengthening the bones and muscles, regulating respiration and harmonizing the mind. The aim is to promote proper circulation of energy, fluids and blood, and to regulate all the vital functions of the body. Each of the eight movements is related to different internal organs, such as the liver, stomach, spleen and heart, in a completely holistic approach to health and wellness. The practice promotes mental awareness, patience, physical strength, flexibility, and the coordination of mind and body working in harmony.
Western society is only now appreciating the long established health virtues of Qi gong, Tai Chi and Dao Yin. Researchers worldwide are beginning to understand and interpret Chinese preventative health systems using modern scientific methods.
Alex discovered the transformative power of these practices from over 15 years of personal research and practice. He now brings to you – the modern warrior – the tools to develop greater health and well-being, to enable you to align yourself with the universal energy and create higher levels of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Using proven and effective techniques that have been refined in their efficiency to require the minimal possible time, these exercises hold the key to healthy modern lifestyles.
All you need to start is 7 minutes a day!
Alex Tan
“I am a strong believer in the wellness-orientated approach and think that both western and Chinese Medicine are way too illness-orientated these days. In the ancient texts it often states how ‘preventive’ health should take priority over ‘reactive’, clinical, medicine. There is too much reliance on, ‘I’m the doctor and I’ll fix you’. But I never underestimate the power of people to heal them-selves. There have always been people who want to make money by treating disease, yet I’ve always believed the true treasures of Chinese Medicine are found in preventative health. It’s that old saying: “Give a person a fish and they will eat for a day; Teach a person to fish and they will eat for life…” – It is my aim to provide people with the skills and resources so that they can restore and maintain their own health, their own balance.”
Alex Tan has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been studying and practicing TCM for more than 8 years. Many years prior to formal study, Alex’s fascination with Eastern philosophy and western science led him to eventually seeing happiness through the lens of health. Alex has also been practicing Qi Gong for more than ten years. With a keen interest in TCM and preventative health practices, Alex travelled to China where he has been living and working for the past four years. He has dedicated his life to researching ‘life medicine’, immersing himself in ancient traditions embodied in the lifestyles and culture of the Chinese people.
“The key focus of this approach is learning how we can live in accordance with nature to avoid illness and disease. The wisdom of the ancient Chinese can greatly assist this understanding of our selves and our environment. My aim is to help you discover the transformative powers of ancient Eastern Health practices for restoring and maintaining balance, health and happiness.”
Alex is a native English speaker with a Chinese heritage who understands the ‘non-Asian’ perspective. He specialises in communicating and translating Eastern ideas for the western mind.
For more information on learning these exercises contact Alex or join the Eat Sleep Breathe workshop
