Qigong  

Qigong (pronounced chee gong) is a Chinese system of physical training, philosophy, and preventive and therapeutic health care, and is used as a way of conserving health and preventing diseases.  Qi (or chi) means air, breath of life or vital essence. Gong (Kung) means work, self-discipline, achievement or mastery.  Qigong is the work on qi, or the result, the skill that comes out of it. We can therefore understand the Qi Gong as an "energy work".   According to Chinese medicine, the energy relating to the body’s internal organs flows around the extremities of the body - the hands and the feet.  Thus by stretching the arms and legs in specific movements, the health of the internal organs can be improved and strengthened. 

How old is qigong?

We do not know how old qigong is, but we do know that some turtle-shell artefacts show the art was important at least 7,000 years ago and archaeological evidence suggests the practice may go back a million years¹.  The ‘Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine’² written about 2,000 years ago is the first book to systematically describe qigong practice.  It was not only the ascetic Taoists who practised Qigong, but also practitioners of martial arts where  it is used as a special method of training to improve skills such as endurance, strength, agility, concentration, determination, etc .. 

Why do it?

A primary aim of qigong is to achieve normal qi circulation, which ensures that all the cells of the body and brain receive the proper amount of ‘qi’ nourishment.  Through qigong, one can build up qi and then move it to where a disturbance or blockage occurs.  Qigong trains us to gain control of the body and mind, and this leads to changes in the state of our health, in particular it eliminates emotional disorders and improves the status of physiological and biochemical systems.  Qi Gong exercises gradually reduce the nervous tension of the cerebral cortex and this is reflected throughout the body contributing to the body's rest, recovery and functional regulation.  By being relaxed and using deep, quiet diaphragmatic breathing, we massage the abdominal organs, improving digestive function, and absorption; increase lung capacity, stimulate metabolism, and blood and lymphatic circulation.    Back to top 

Who can do it?

 Anyone can do qigong, it does not require any special physical qualities and is adaptable to the elderly or those in weak health.   In Chinese hospitals, Qigong  is not only being used in the treatment of diseases, but is taught to patients as a means to maintain health and recover while convalescing from an illness.  The slow pace of the movements promotes concentration and relaxation, and having to remember and repeat exercises keeps your mind alert and active.  Qigong is suitable for anyone who wants to effectively take care of his or her health. Back to top

 

Qigong sets at Natural Tai Chi Devon  Shibashi  & Baduanjin (8 Pieces of Brocade). 

Simple qigong breathing and meditation exercises.

Zhan Zhuang: This is a sequence of standing meditation postures, which are the basis of developing internal energy   Practised regularly, Zhan Zhuang postures help to develop concentration and mental and physical strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

^{¹ Dong, Paul and Aristide H Esser. Chi Gong: The Ancient Chinese Way to Health. (New York: Paragon House.1990).
²Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. 2nd ed. Berkeley: (University of California Press). 1972.}