Sifu Robert Downey - Inner Brocades: Brocade shower that moistens our hearts. (The Internal Arts Book 1)

Inner Brocades

Text and Pictures Copyright 2016 Robert G. Downey

Modeling

Lavericia

NyJae

Sifu Bob

All Rights Reserved

Public domain Photos from Grays Anatomy

(If you dont have a volume get one!)

All content in this book is subject to copyright. You are not entitled to copy pages, logos, images, or photographs for commercial use without prior written permission.

The information in this book is provided as a service to the general public. While the information in this book is about exercise, health and lifestyle issues, it is not intended as medical or health advice or as a substitute for medical care or consultation. Understand that your practice of any exercises or examples, dietary practices or food, drink or nutritional supplements carries with it the potential for certain risks, some of which may not be reasonably foreseeable and requires your consideration of the impact on your health. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition prior to practicing, changing your diet or consuming any nutritional supplements.

This book may include inaccuracies or typographical errors. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date but is put forth in a best effort manner. All pictures have been edited to provide a more detailed view. Chairs and other objects have been removed. Most of the pictures were taken from the chair seated position. We promise better quality pictures as we become better editors.

To all my many teachers

Grandmaster William C. C. Chen

Grandmaster Liang Tse Tung

Master Chan Bun-Piac

And the many more

Remember as T.T. always said you need teachers and you need books

This is the first of a number of volumes on the Internal Arts and hopefully this one and the others will be of value to you. This book is an introduction into the Inner Brocades, a neigong exercise, and the information is kept at a basic level to appeal to all interested readers. It has all the basic information to practice these Brocades whether you are a martial artist, into yoga and meditation or just looking at an alternative exercise routine.

Each of these volumes may have exercises and information within them that appears to be reproduced across the volumes. That is partly correct. There are movements that appear to be the same but the teaching and use is different across the subtleties of the Internal Arts. The focus of each volume is on the manner in which the movement is to be practiced within the referenced realm of the art. Before you start with any of these volumes you need to understand the difference in the studies of the energies of the arts and what the focus is when doing an activity. This information will be included in each volume so that the focus can be deduced before beginning to read and understand that volume.

As with any Internal Art you should consult with a qualified teacher as you advance since the development of internal energy is not without its risks. Always consult with your doctor if you have any unusual issues with your health. Also, the use of a qualified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine is highly recommended.

In the Internal Arts any movement follows a path through the directors of that energy Yi, Nei, Chi, Li Mind, Inner Effort, Internal Energy and External Strength.

What does that mean? Yi is the mind. The thought of action which then triggers the Nei, intent to make the imagery of the movement which leads to the Chi, the energy which allows the activity of the body to begin and then to the Li, the muscular force from the movement of the muscles. There can be actions without Yi and Nei reflexes take on this role but you can argue that Yi and Nei have a role at a base level you need to protect the body. Although a reflex action is triggered before the signal goes to the brain, we can modify a reflex action.

Yigong Yi is the mind. Working on the mind is a complex process that involves developing practices that cover meditational activity as well as the thought processes of everyday living.

Neigong Neigong uses the imagery of the mind to define what is being done in a movement adding to it the subtleties of breath, energy movement and quality of energy, opening joints, specific movement and feedback to the mind on all the results.

Qigong Is the work on the energy of the body not only on the movement but also on the accumulation of the energy in the daily life processes and the things you encounter every day.

Ligong - Li being physical strength, this involves the use of weights and resistance to develop the body. This can be focused on the techniques to develop martial practices but also the development of the body to aid in the health practice of daily living.

There will be overlapping methods but the focus of each volume will be directed to its main practice. There will be more volumes relating to Internal Arts and related practices. Qigong, Daoyin and Ligong will be the following volumes. Others will be focused on specific versions of the arts. Each of these will be an introductory course for the first volume. A second volume will be written that delves into some of the more scientific and esoteric aspects of the Arts. In this manner the reader can gain the basic knowledge to practice and if that practice proves valuable, the second volume will provide a more in depth focus.

The Inner Brocades but are for relieving congestion in the path of the energy, activating and cleansing the channels.

Physical manipulation of the body is an ancient technique which is still practiced today with many healing systems. The areas impacted by the Brocades allows for the four flows to operate without hindrance. The movement of energy and fluids prevents the body from developing illness.

Sinews, ligaments and cartilage all are fed by Interstitial fluid in the body. The feeding and waste is through the flow of this fluid. The movement and massage of the tissue structure leads to a more healthful environment by moving fluids to areas of the body that may experience stagnation and congestion.

Shiatsu, acupressure and Tui Na all use techniques that are discussed here. These techniques are generalized usage not directed at anything other than the stimulation of the energy flow in the body or to adjust the body to correct an illness. Performing these Brocades daily will prevent the stagnation and congestion that leads to illness before it happens.

The hands, the feet and the ears are all location of end points of the acupuncture meridians. General stimulation of these areas as performed in the Brocades aid in the energy flow in the body.

Details in each of these exercises is kept light to keep these exercises safe for the general public. Anyone practicing any neigong exercises should do it with a fully qualified instructor. Before accepting anyone as a teacher, talk to them and ask questions about their background. With who and how long did they study. These exercises lead to more complicated systems which can cause injury to you or your psyche so use care. Stop when anything does not feel right. In the very least workout with a partner who can see what you may not.

Inner Brocades can be performed either sitting in a chair or on the floor. Many people cannot sit in a lotus posture for any length of time if at all. A sitting stool or bench will work well with an open semi lotus or cross leg position. A chair can be used to sit in a comfortable position without distress. Most important is that the body is relaxed and you are comfortable in whatever position you choose. Trying to assume a posture that is not comfortable will create stress in the body and prevent any real benefit from these exercises. Read further to review the various sitting postures.