Zhineng Qigong Retreat at Fraser's Hill (Part 2)

Zhineng Qigong (M'sia) Retreat at Pines Resort of Fraser's Hill: Saturday (24 Nov 2012) – a full day of activities starting from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

 

Programme: qigong practice, lectures, break-up sessions, trekking (4 – 6 p.m.; lead by yours truly), leisure activities, lectures, experimental session on Hunyuan energy, etc. 

 

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong). When in photo album, hit F11 key for uncompressed displays.

 Saturday morning (24 November 2012) at 6:45 a.m.
A new day has dawned ... notice the sea of clouds hovering at lower ground

 Qigong practice at tennis court of Pines Resort amid cool and fresh mountainous air

 Lead by Zheng Bai Ling laoshi

 Benz Ng on audio and video, assisted by Samantha Tee on updating presentation slides

 Zheng Bai Ling laoshi leading the participants for another round of qigong practice (Module 2)

 Lectures and demonstration of Straight Legs Relaxation method

 Mr Yew KT, Pines Resorts Manager, assisting in serving food together with Caryn Keong (left) and Brenda Lee

 Emphasizing a point on the lectures of external and internal Hunyuan energy

 Responding to humour amid serious stuff

 Experimental session on Hunyuan energy: twisting of metal tea spoons.
Lu Lin Kun laoshi examining the bent/twisted spoons; he is looking for twisted ones which are much difficult to do.

Mind over matter in twisting a metal spoon - The interesting thing is that it is tough to bend this metal spoon, let alone twisting it

 

 

To be continued - Part 3 ... click here

 

Do click here for Qigong Retreat Part 1
 

 

Posted by KC Leong

Zhineng Qigong Retreat at Fraser's Hill

Zhineng Qigong (M'sia) Retreat at Pines Resort of Fraser's Hill: 22 Nov 2012 (Thursday) - preparation of venue; 23 Nov (Friday) - arrival of participants and start of lectures and practice sessions.

 

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong). When in photo album, hit F11 key for uncompressed displays.

 Pines Resort of Fraser's Hill

 Arriving at the venue one day earlier in setting up the lecture hall ... Cindy, Brenda, Caryn, Benz, Lim BB, Grace, TanCH and yours truly (KC).

 Hard at work to decorate the hall with props and and to ensure the equipment is working in order 

 23 Nov 2012 (Friday) - Arrival of members for the weekend retreat; members from USJ Centre

Lunch is served

Going to the lecture hall

 Fraser's Retreat Committee ... yours truly (KC) at right most.
(left, back) Tan CH, Liow KH, Grace Lim, Alice Cheong, Teng CW, Chuah CK;
(left, front) Benz Ng, Cindy Lim, Lim BB, Caryn Keong, Amy Leong.

Lectures facilitator - Lu Lin Kun laoshi from China

Group practice of qigong at the cool outdoor of Fraser's Hill

Exotic gastronomic delights – a special treat to the branded durians such as D24, D88, Musang King (mau san wong)

Looking at the deep yellow texture of the flesh, judging from the number of hands wanting to have a share of it, and the facial expression beaming with excitement, we know this must be a prized discovery – the Mau San Wong!

Samatha Tee (2nd from left) and her family members

Lu Lin Kun laoshi illustrating the finer point of qigong practice

Participants listen attentively

Looking for the right balloon - each participant is to burst the balloon bearing his/her own name in eliminating any sickness or illness (that has been transmitted via chi into the balloon)

To be continued ... Part 2... click here

Do click here for all activities on Zhineng Qigong (Malaysia) involving yours truly (KC Leong).

Do click here to visit the official website for Zhineng Qigong (Malaysia).

Do click here for 2011 workshop retreat at Goh Tong Jaya (Genting Highlands).

 

Posted by KC Leong

Learn to Sing Well

A few of the Zhineng Qigong members (USJ Centres) meet at Mr Gan's house on Saturday evening, 17 November 2012 for another session of insightful learning on how to sing better.

 

One of the important abilities in order to sing well, according to Gan, is to breath from the diaphragm – not the lung or the upper body.

 

A singer needs to control the air when expelling, and breathing from the diaphragm gives one more air to work with. This is using the dantian chi from the abdominal energy, which Qigong practices also emphasize on.

 

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC). When in photo album, hit F11 key for larger displays.

 

 

 Left: Brenda Lee, Grace Lim, Gan, Tioh, Cindy Lim, Linda, Annie, LimBB

 

According to Gan, if one practises running – be it long distance running or run until panting for breath – one would be able to strengthen dantian chi.

 

So looks like running, qigong and singing are all inter-connected. One discipline strengthens the chi, the other harnesses it while singing uses it. Unfortunately, to many of us, to sing well is a dream; and “breathing from the diaphragm” is like a mystery.

 Serious stuff interwoven with humour

Gan demonstrated in singing this difficult-to-sing Chinese classic – Huang Zhao Jin – by using the head voice (that resonate in the head or nasal area of the singer), as opposed to resonating in the throat or chest (the natural singing voice). So his voice sounded like female but could sing much higher note/pitch. An example of singing by using head voice is something like the song “Staying Alive” by Bee Gees.

 

On a lighter note, one of the qigong members asked me whether I did request to sing Hotel California. Ha ha ha … that would be asking for trouble again. Do click here to read.

 Individual demonstration and assessment by Mr Gan ... Brenda Lee

 Mode and expression in accordance to the song ... Tioh’s turn

  Tan loashi ... yeah, your turn to sing ... :-)

Gan demonstrating in singing Huang Zhao Jin, a tough Chinese classic, by using head voice … so his voice sounded like female but able to sing with much higher note/pitch.

Special thanks to Gan, one of the chi gong members from USJ, for his untiring effort and patient in teaching us – free of charge – how to sing well. BRAVO! Being a successful businessman, singing is Gan’s hobby. He travels to Banting to learn singing from higher sifu and have occasional competition sessions among his group.

 

 

Do click here for the first singing session.

 

 

Posted by KC Leong

FRIM Botani Trail Runnig

"I would like to join the trekker group," DC Tan responded to the email invitation when I organized the trekking event at FRIM for chi gong members on 10 Nov. Being an active road/trail runner, she would find the pace too slow; and it would be a tough situation for me in directing trekkers and trail runners along the intended directions.

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I suggested that I shall hold another trail running event on a different day, and the Awal Muharram Holiday on Thursday, 15 November 2012 would be a good choice.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC).

Hit F11 key for bigger displays.

A group photo at Taman Botani side of FRIM

 

 

Arriving at Taman Botani carpark of FRIM at 7:15 a.m., I was pleasantly surprised to see the presence of quite a number of runners invited through emails and Facebook. Almost at that moment, my handphone started to ring as a few ended up at FRIM Main Entrance, which is about 2km away.

Runner friends that I could remember: Chong YF, George Siew, Eldon Chew, DC Tan, Cheryl Tham, Ray Lee, Leng Heong Wai, PK Chan, Shinya Sasaki, Annie Lim, Lai Kuan, Patrick Yee, Christy Bong, Zareen Chua, Ken Chia, Edwin Goh, Winnie Wong, Maybel Chung, etc. 

At Salem High Country Hill

For a group size of almost 35 outdoor enthusiasts, taking group photos was fun and full of laughter. I quipped that we have engaged a photography director from Hollywood  – DC Tan – as to how we should pose differently, while I just assumed the role of a cameraman.

When it was time to run, I informed the fast runners such as Ray Lee, Ken Chia, Shinya Sasaki (yeah, a Japanese runner), Edwin Goh  – all have not been to this side of FRIM before –  that they could run any direction they wish but must backtrack in order for the group to move as one.
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The other team leads who were assisting the sub-groups were Chong YF, George Siew, Leng HW, and PK Chan.

Nothing can dampen their spirits ... A cheerful lot, always smiling, never mind if rain or shine.

Leng, "Better use umbrella la, after sick how?"
Patrick, "Never mind wan, wet wet la." ... :-)
(just for a laugh, not actual dialogue)

We arrived at the clearing where one track leads to Sungai Buloh Hospital, the other track leads to Steroid Hill. After checking, Edwin Goh said the fast runners went to the Sungai Buloh Hospital way. A Mount Kinabalu Climbathon achiever, immediately, Edwin Goh sprang into action to give chase and shouted at the top of his voice.

I was not too worried as Ray Lee was with them. Dubbed the King of the Mountains, Ray Lee would be able to manoeuvre around in such a wide track. He has been very active in trekking up and camping at the tough mountains in Malaysia.

Eventually, we all congregated at the big bolster at the beautiful Salem High Country Hills for more group photos.

At Mountain Bike Track

The rain – The evening before, it was scattered rain here or there as opposed to the hearty downpour. In the morning, there were quite a lot of clouds, and it even rained when we travelled to FRIM. While we descended Salem High Country Hill, it started to rain heavy again. So the group went to a pondok seeking for shelter. Later, Leng’s group of trekkers arrived donning raincoats. I heard someone quipped that “those wearing raincoats please don’t come into the pondok.” 

At Malay Tea House which is closed for renovation ... performing Bollywoooood dance?

 

After waited for about 20 minutes, we resumed trail running while still in slight drizzle. We ran via Pacat Trail passing by a makeshift shelter of Orang Asli en route to the reservoir and Malay Tea House. We were thinking to have a cup of tea at the Malay Tea House but it was still closed for renovation for many months already.

Returning via Mountain Bike Track ... DC Tan

 

Returning journey – the group returned via Mountain Bike Track. I cautioned the group that there are many leeches in this track. So to avoid attracting leeches, one has to run fast. Immediately, I could see the group was running with much more gusto though a few were feeling tired. Previously, one of my friends joked that it was because there was no leeches, the group walked slowly.

Sunshine after the rain

 

Ken Chia  - Along the Mountain Bike Track on the returning journey, when I did a backtrack run, I was surprised to see Ken Chia was with the last runner. He is a young and fast runner. He felt pain in his left knee that rendered him not able to run. According to him, he is participating in the coming Penang Bridge International Marathon in three days' time (18 Nov) -- taking part in the full marathon!

Overall, it was truly a fun-filled and enjoyable outdoor run at FRIM together with all the good company.

 

 Taman Botani Garden of FRIM

 Hakka Lui Char rice (a vegetarian dish) at Bandar Menjalara Kepong ... taste good!

After taking shelter for about 20 minutes for the rain to subside, we proceed with the run again. However, I forgot to start the recording (of the Garmin watch) for about 2-3 kilometers.

Total distance could be around 12km, and running time is about 2 hr 45 minutes.

Special thanks to Grace Tabitha Lim, previously a Research Officer of FRIM, who showed me the trails at FRIM in one of the trail running events. She is now migrated to USA.

 

Posted by KC Leong

 

Zhineng Qigong Group Practice

Zhineng Qigong group practice at USJ 1 (Subang Jaya) lead by Lu Lin Kun laoshi from China on Sunday morning, 11 November 2012.

 

In this group practice, members from all centres are encouraged to practise together. Led by Lu Lin Kun laoshi, the first hour was to practise Module 1; second hour was a talk on Zhineng qigong facilitated by Lu Lin Kun laoshi, translated into English by Alan laoshi.

 

The group have a light refreshment break before ending the session.

 

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 

 A talk on Zhineng Qigong facilitated by qigong laoshi from China, Lu Lin Kun laoshi

 Translation into English by Alan laoshi

 Lu Lin Kun laoshi

 Light refreshment after the group practice session

 Patiently and orderly waiting for one’s turn

Soo laoshi (from USJ Centre), Alan laoshi (from USJ Centre), Liow Kim Heng laoshi (Association President of Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong M’sia), Lu Lin Kun laoshi (from China).

 

 

Do click here to view all postings on Zhineng Qigong participated by yours truly (KC).

Do click here for official website of Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong M'sia.
 

 

Posted by KC Leong

 

FRIM Trekking

With the constant rain these days, it is a 50-50 chance that any outdoor activity would end-up in rain. However, with the marathon rain the evening before (Friday), there was a good chance that the weather would be fine on the day of trekking – Saturday morning, 10 November 2012 at FRIM.

Bingo! It was a fine weather in the morning. The air was fresh and cool. The best thing was that the track was not muddy at all at the Taman Botani side of FRIM.

The group (chi gong members and my office colleagues) took 2 hr 45 min to walk a total distance of 7.5km with a slow and steady pace. I would have run a slightly longer distance in surging forward and then running backtrack to move as one team.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC).

 At Taman Botani Garden of FRIM ...
(Back, left): Annie, Brenda Lee, Cindy Lim, LimBB, Slyvia, Caryn Keong, Cheryl Tham;
(Front): KC Leong, See Toh, Yee, Patrick, TanCH

The next best thing was that there was no leech at all. When the trekking trip ended, we saw the rain clouds were accumulating on the horizon, indicating another round of heavy rain in the afternoon.

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The previous time when I led the group of chi gong members to trek at FRIM, it was raining that morning. It was such a coincident that I led them to Dream Trail. To our horror, that trail was full of leeches when the ground was wet ... click here.



 At Taman Botani Lakeside

A few days before this trekking event, in the group exchange of emails, Brenda asked: "With a few day of rain, besides the cool and fresh air, I have a little bit of worry ... you know la ..."

So I responded, "No need to worry ... the trekking trail is on a high ground; as such, it will not flood wan." The main concern during rainy season.

Then Cindy beh-ta-han liau (impatient), she replied: "aiyo, KC, not flood la ... leeches!"

Well, this is exactly how guys would misunderstand gals' hidden messages ... :-)

 Before going up Steroid Hill

 At Steroid Hill

 Descending Salem High Country Hill

 Half way of Salem High Country Hill

Flower and lady - Cindy and Brenda

Trail map charted by Garmin GPS-enabled watch

Do click here to view previous posting at FRIM.

Posted by KC Leong