Chinese dragons are able to travel rapidly between heaven and earth. They are yang in nature; intelligent, inspired, imaginative and somewhat ethereal. Unlike the dragons of Western mythology, Chinese dragons are benevolent creatures. They are connected with the element of fire.

Tigers are earth-bound, defensive animals with a powerful physicality, who nurture and protect their young. Much of the time they move slowly and gracefully -- but can also act swiftly and forcefully in attack. They learn through bodily experience. Tigers are yin in nature and are associated with the opposing element to fire, water.

These contrasting qualities are unified in Dragon and Tiger Chi Kung. The practice requires you to focus intelligently and to understand the principles behind the movements -- but also to immerse yourself experientially in your body and remain grounded in both yourself and with the world around you. The combination fosters clarity of thought and directness of action, yet also compassion and understanding for others and an awareness of your surroundings.

Additionally, each of the seven movements of Dragon and Tiger has a relevant name:

• Dragon and Tiger meet
• Dragon looks to the horizon
• Tiger crouches
• Tiger separates her cubs
• Tiger pounces
• Dragon and Tiger pierce heaven and earth
• Dragon soars to heaven and brings back the pearl

Dragon and Tiger is a medical Chi Kung system, so it is very effective at healing. It's based on principles in common with acupuncture but, instead of working with the 12 organ meridians which are depicted in standard charts, it opens up the 8 extraordinary meridians which come into existence before the others, during development. In life, these meridians act like a reservoir of Chi which can balance out excesses and deficiencies in the other meridians -- especially during 'extraordinary' circumstances.

In Dragon and Tiger, you trace these pathways with your hands and with your intent, in so doing quickly getting to directly experience the movement of Chi in and around your body, and to feel where it is blocked. The physical and energetic movements work together to relax and strengthen your structure and clear and balance your energy, and strengthen your energy field. It's a powerful combination!

Individual variations can be built into the system so that you can focus on parts of the body which may be problematic.

My aim as a teacher is always to bring students to a place where they can actually feel, experientially, the theory behind the system. If you only believe the theory intellectually it is hard to motivate yourself to practise, but if you can embody your understanding then your level of interest and enthusiasm takes on a whole new level.