Barry Westley - Chi Baton Exercises

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Prevention is better than cure! It is my firm belief that doing these exercises regularly can help prevent and relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety and M.S., as well as strengthening the body, boosting the immune system and improving the quality of life.

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Before meeting Barry, I suffered from arthritis of most of my joints; my feet, hands, hips etc. I met Barry through a mutual friend who told me of the Chi Baton. I was under consultants, hospital appointments, regular physio, the lot. After starting the Chi Baton exercises I began to feel better over a period of time. Now I have started back to work and resumed keeping fit again, which I did a lot of before my illness. Since doing Chi Baton exercises, I feel my health has improved one hundred per cent. Thank you to Barry.

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Pure Genius:
Barry Westley and the Chi Batonprogrammes he has developed.

Wonderful for total body awareness:Breathing techniques.
Energy Movement.
Posture.
Focus Meditation.Flexibility.
Strength.
It's part of my daily life.

I really enjoy doing these exercises and think they are especially valuable for beginners, as holding the baton ensures that even inexperienced students can easily maintain good posture throughout.

After many years of severe back pain and having tried various treatments I was depressed and felt that the pain ruled my life. I came to Barry's class and it completely rebalanced and strengthened my back. With grateful thanks.

My masters, friends, and students, (living and dead), and all who daily struggle to perfect their arts.

Chi Batonexercises are very safe, but you should always consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regime! If you have any doubts about the suitability of any of the exercises for you, you must refer back to your doctor or medical practitioner before attempting them!

Follow the instructions carefully and do not rush, or bounce, when performing any movement, or part of any movement!

Do the exercises at a pace that is comfortable for you and only do the number of repetitions that you can easily handle. Build up slowly. You should feel refreshed after each of the programmes, not sore and exhausted! Be patient and you will progress more quickly!

If you feel pain, when performing one of the movements, stop exercising and consult your doctor immediately!

Chi BatonExercises, (formerly known as Tai Rod Yoga , and Tai Rod Exercise System ) is a series of special exercises which are performed using a short rod and are unique to me, Barry Westley* .

Drawing on my extensive knowledge of Taoist Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, Powerlifting, and a number of different martial arts, (both hard and soft), I have fashioned an extensive programme of low-impact, rhythmic exercises that strengthen the physical and energetic structure of the body.

Originally devised as a way of teaching principles of body mechanics in a simplified way to my students, Chi Baton exercises proved to be popular, great fun and surprisingly effective in building internal energy, strength, stamina and flexibility.

Although, Chi Baton programmes were originally intended for myself and my immediate students, interest in this simple but effective system has grown to such an extent that I felt compelled to write this manual. It can be used on its own or as a compliment to other Chi Baton videos and DVDs.

A Chi Baton is a piece of wood twelve and a half inches long which is held between the palms during exercise. (The length is of crucial importance as it gives the correct angles when exercising.)

The easiest way to construct a Chi Baton is simply to cut a piece of doweling the correct length (12 and a half inches, or 318 millimetres, and sand the cut ends.)

A Chi Baton is not to be confused with a Tai Chi Ruler which is a different length and, to my knowledge, used in quite a different way.

A Chi Baton can be as simple as the one illustrated, simply a length of dowel, with rounded ends. I like to insert an upholstery tack into the ends to help stimulate

Although, this Chi Baton design is ideal for use with this manual, some students prefer to make their own with varying degrees of complexity.

However, the important principle is that the rod is comfortable, the correct length, and that you continue to use the same rod each time you exercise. In this way it becomes part of you and infused with your energy, increasing the power of your practice.

(* Barry Westley has studied Li Style Tai Chi Chuan and Taoist Yoga for over 35 years and is a black jacket instructor (3rdTengchi)

He is also a black jacket instructor in Feng Shou Kung Fu (1st Tengchi), is a qualified referee in Tui Shou (Pushing Hands.) and Chinese Martial Forms , has successfully competed in National Tui Shou Competitions and has represented England in the sport of Powerlifting .

Barry Westley is also a fully qualified Shiatsu Practitioner and Associate Member of Malvern College of Healing .)

N.B. When learning the exercises do not overload yourself trying to remember all of the principles below, at one time. Learn the exercises thoroughly and gradually introduce each improvement when you feel it is appropriate to you. You will still derive considerable benefit from the exercises even if you forget some of the principles, provided you do not compromise the safe execution of the movements. Always remember, your energy will flow much better when you are relaxed. It is particularly important that you dont let technical considerations spoil your enjoyment of the programmes!