Tai Chi
What Is QiGong?
QiGong (pronounced Chee Kong) has been around for approximately 3000 years. It was originally devised by the Taoist Monks because of their sedentary lives and extensive meditation sessions.
The word QiGong breaks into: Qi = vitality, energy, life force, and Gong = practice, cultivate, refine. QiGong is then to cultivate and refine through practice one's vitality or life force. The Chinese believe that the practice of QiGong creates a spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing resources in the human system. In the arena of Western thinking about alternative medicine, the practice of QiGong sparks a new interest into understanding the benefits of QiGong which have profound benefits for the practitioners. It increases the delivery of oxygen to the tissues, enhances the elimination of waste products as well as the transportation of immune cells through the lymph system, and it shifts the chemistry of the brain and the nervous system.
QiGong Training Approaches
There are four major approaches in QiGong training: training the body, the breath, the voice, and the mind; with the mind being of the highest importance.
Body – Training includes sitting, standing still and moving. With slow meditative movements the body is positioned in a way that is best suited for energy circulation.
Breathing – The movements are done very slowly to allow the body to be more relaxed. The slow movement allows for different types of breathing techniques. Some breathing will be slower and deeper to allow the lungs to take in oxygen at a greater volume. Breathing can also help with concentration. By paying attention to your breathing, you will be able to reduce your thoughts and your mind will be less busy.
Sound – In QiGong training, specific sounds are used for specific purposes. For example, a meditative song can help you relax and there are several sounds that can improve your health .
Mind – The mind is the most important element of QiGong training. The mind’s potential is unlimited. In the training you will learn to regulate your body, breathing, and voice by using your mind. Your mind will be able to sense any potential problem and correct it before damage can occur. This can prevent illness and provide prefect health.
Conferences on the scientific study of QiGong have been held in the
Clinical trials have shown the efficacy of QiGong in reducing stress, delaying aging effects, prolonging life, preventing illness and curing many chronic diseases including paralysis and cancer.
Yes. For example, one survey of aged practitioners revealed that they were in good health and appeared younger than a second group of non-practitioners. Their average blood pressure was normal and 93% had normal hearing and good memories. The non-practicing elders had a higher average blood pressure, 25% had hypertension, 50% had vision problems, 76% had hearing problems and 35% had lost their ability to work. After doing QiGong for 5 months, 52% of them recovered some of their working ability and made other physiological improvements.
