Yin/Yang - Water/Fire Theory

Yin/Yang Theory looks at everything in the universe as well as Qigong and other yogic practices in terms of whether or not the system, technique or portion thereof is Yin energy supporting or Yang energy supporting. In other words, does the technique lead to energetic movement in a Yin direction or a Yang direction?

Some common terms used to express these basic concepts of Yin and Yang are: Soft/ Hard, Dark/Light, Weak/Strong and Water/Fire.

However, Yin and Yang are not absolutes and so many common examples can be misleading. Yin and Yang actually describe relative states of energy. Like a single wave passing through a body of water there is an up side and a down side to the wave but it is still one stream of energy passing through the water that causes both sides of the wave.

When something is described as "Yang" there is always a situation where that object or technique is "Yin" relative to something else and vice-versa.

For example, one source of energy may be stronger than another and thereby is labeled as being "Yang" relative to the weaker one. However, if an even stronger energy is brought into the picture, then that original source would become "Yin" relative to the new one. This can go on endlessly and thus it becomes irrelevant to label something as being absolutely Yin or Yang.

Therefore when looking at forms, movements, techniques, etc, it is traditionally more correct to describe them using the terms "Fire Method" and "Water Method." Why? Because Water Method and Fire Method both describe an action that leads to a change in energy that, in turn, affects the relativity of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang describe energy and are not independent, they are relative to one-another.

For example: If we put Water on Fire then the Fire is diminished. Such an action would be described as Yang diminishing or Yin supporting. More simply put, the action would be called a Water Method because it leads the energy in a Yin direction.

In Qigong practice it is common to call Yin energy supporting techniques Water Methods and Yang energy supporting techniques Fire Methods. Just because you do a Yin supporting technique does not mean it is Yin. It only has a tendency to move energy in a Yin direction. There may still be something else going on that is more Fire and thus overrides the Yin influence.

This all may seem like a semantic argument but when it comes down to understanding the effects of yogic practices, recognizing how different techniques move energy towards Yin or Yang becomes very important.

Not only are the terms, "Water Method" and "Fire Method" commonly used to describe the movements and techniques within a given Qigong system, they are also often used to describe entire systems.

In spite of this classification virtually all Qigong systems will, by necessity, use both Fire and Water Methods within them. For without both Fire and Water Methods it would be virtually impossible to balance the ever changing nature of (Yin and Yang) energy.

Yin/Yang theory and Water/ Fire Methods will be readily apparent in Daoist styles of Qigong where these terms are more prominent. However, this same theory can be applied in order to understand any yogic practice.

Looking at systems, movements and techniques in terms of Yin/Yang and Water/ Fire is the key to understanding any Qigong system, its components and effects on the practitioner.

Beyond Yin/Yang and Water/Fire, there are several other methods of discernment particularly in Medical Qigong where the terminologies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) come into play.

Note:

In 2009 my interest in Water Methods lead me to Master Yap Soon Yeong and his system of Healing Qigong called Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ). While some may well like to classify this system as Yin-enhancing/ water method, I should point out that Master Yap makes it very clear that CFQ allows the practitioner to ultimately tap into the source energy of emptiness or void. Thus CFQ cannot be classified in Yin/Yang or Water/Fire terms as emptiness/void came before the separation of Yin and Yang, the 5 Elements and the myriad of things. Therefore there is no need to try and fit CFQ into this terminology and Master Yap strongly advises against it. In CFQ we discuss our movements in terms of "Hollow" and "Solid." It is detrimental to CFQ practice to try and fit it into existing theories.

 

For more information please go to: Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong