“One is practice, and do you know what is the other? Help others.”
- – Master Kao
Xi Sui Gong is a powerful method of Taoist Qi Gong. The name means the washing of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is found in the spine and is responsible for the generation of stem cells, out of which blood and other vital cells are created from.
Bone marrow plays a central role in our body, with everything from the immune system to brain function depending on it. Actually, without bone marrow, the systems of the body will seize to operate. So not only is bone marrow generation essential to longevity and well-being, we can not live without it.
In Chinese, there is the saying that man can live a few months without food, a few days without water, a few minutes without breathing, but not a single moment without Chi. In such a way we can see how bone marrow is very much connected with the concept of Chi at a physical level. At the level of our blood and the function of our organs, including the brain, it is healthy bone marrow function that runs the show.
When we are young and our body’s natural generative systems function well, the bone marrow found in our spine is of white color. As we age and the generative aspect of our body weakens, our bone marrow becomes stagnant and dirty and changes its physical color to yellow. With a regular practice of Xi Sui Gong, the practitioner can “wash” his own bone marrow and return it to its original clean state and white color. This is an actual physical change in our bone marrow, one we can get as a result from dedicated Xi Sui Gong practice.
In his seminal book about the Xi Sui Gong, Grandmaster Chiao stated that bone marrow is also connected to the way our brain functions. Only a few years after his passing in 2003, Western scientist found proof that suggests also brain cell renewal being directly connected with the healthy function of the bone marrow.
The advantages of Xi Sui Gong practice include that it is easy to learn, the effects are easily observed, and the practice has no adverse effects. The training process is easy and safe and can be undertaken alone based on the instructions received from the Master. This is exceptional within the ancient Taoist practices, which often require long periods of training in seclusion before the results can be seen. This makes Xi Sui Gong ideal form of internal practice for anyone with the sincere wish for longevity and well-being.
Xi Sui Gong is a form of internal practice referred to as Nei Gong. It is an exercise that focuses on the internal aspect as opposed to the external aspect. Internal practices are performed mainly with the inner body. Conversely, Wai Gong (external art) are those types of Qi Gong which are based on the external movements of the body and muscles.
Nei Gong practices are often more complex than their external counterparts, involving the focus on internal organs, individual parts of the body, circulatory and other systems of the body. While this is true, it is also true that by practicing diligently, these seemingly complicated techniques become natural and easy for the practitioner to execute in any given situation.
Each school of the Chinese martial arts possesses its own secrets regarding the training of Nei Gong, which varies in ease of training and the speed and extent of accomplishment. Traditional schools of martial arts always balance the training of Nei and Wai Gong. A good foundation of the Nei Gong is essential to ensure a lasting (with respect to age) source of fitness, strength, and energy.
The before highly secretive Xi Sui Gong practice consists of 3 sets of main practices and 12 supplemental techniques. Generally, Taoist Qi Gong is practiced first to generate body chemicals that collectively contain our vital energy, mainly in form of measurable changes in our hormonal production and balance. The practice is also focused on improving the circulation of those vital energies throughout our body. As the initial result, the practitioner will experience a feeling of rejuvenation and tangible changes in the way the body’s key systems, such as metabolism, work effectively and harmoniously.
A more advanced level of Xi Sui Gong involves a significant improvement in cognitive function and a general clarification of the practitioner’s mental processes. By this time, the practitioner has developed a strong command of his external and internal body, together with a clear mental awareness accompanied by a sharp intellect. The final stage of the practice is connected with spiritual enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings and marks the true meaning and purpose of Xi Sui Gong.