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QiGong

QiGong Eliminates Stress and Promotes Healing

QiGong exercises involve slow and concise body movements combined with controlled breathing.

They are great for balance, range of motion, muscle control and relaxation. For when you can't or prefer not to do cardio, QiGong is a wonderful form of exercise.

What is QiGong

QiGong refers to a Chinese exercise that incorporates body movement combined with controlled breathing.

"Qi" means breath or energy and "Gong" means work. Thus, "QiGong" means breath work.

There are several forms of QiGong, which many regard as purely physical exercise but which some consider as spiritual or metaphysical in nature.

Known as both a healing, physical or spiritual exercise, QiGong has been embraced by many practitioners for a variety of reasons and it is also used in conjunction with several forms of martial arts .

In modern China it is used as an affordable method of not only self-healing, but of healing others.

By promoting lower levels of stress, it is believed to elimate or control diseases caused by a stress filled living environment.

It is also believes to revitalize tissues, bones and organs, controlling diseases such as arthritis.

QiGong may date back over four thousand years. Its use was orginally restricted to the elite.

It is believed that ancient Chinese practitioners realized that breath and body movement contributed to health and spiritual balance.

In terms of spirituality, QiGong is believed to promote the flow of the body's vital energy, which is called Qi.

Exclamations (pronounced "hi") of "Qi" and other terms that are used during the practice of QiGong are believed to increase strength and/or alleviate pain.

The practice of QiGong developed into a system over two thousand years ago and found popularity among scholars and philosophers. From there, it continued to develop more organically and eventually spread into health, spiritual, martial arts, and physical exercise.

QiGong is used in an means of heaing in Chinese medicine although Western physicians have not accepted it as a scientifically proven method of healing.

In the early 1990s, QiGong gained enough popularity to become a widely accepted practice in Chinese society and culture.

Here is an excerpt from a documentary about QiGong and its use as a self-healing tool in modern China:

How to Perform QiGong

The exercises involve slow and concise body movements combined with controlled breathing.

It has developed in several directions with different QiGong schools practicing variations on the basic concept of the exercise. For example, some may use diaphragmatic breathing while others will use controlled movements.

The exercises are often performed in a group setting, frequently outdoors, and are thought to be beautiful and similar to a graceful dance.

An instructor leads QiGong sessions. There are videos and DVDs available as well as live classes.

Here is a brief video of beginning QiGong exercises:

Because the exercises are slow and low stress, and because of the variety of benefits cited by practitioners, QiGong is widely accepted and has crossed lines of culture, age, gender, and class.

QiGong is used for maintaining physical health and is frequently used to combat stress and promote mental, emotional and physical balance. It can also help increase energy, improve the body's metabolism and provide better sleep.

QiGong as a mind-body exercise is said to have many spiritual benefits as well.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be taken as medical advice.

 

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