Introduction to Qi Gong
Qigong (pronounced chee goong) is a
Chinese system of physical training, philosophy, and preventive and
therapeutic health care. Qi (or chi) means air, breath of life or vital
essence. Gong means work, self-discipline, achievement or mastery. This
art combines aerobic conditioning, isometrics, isotonics, meditation,
and relaxation. Qigong is a discipline whose practice allows us to gain
control over the life force that courses throughout our bodies. There
are more than 3,000 varieties of qigong, and five major qigong
traditions: the Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, martial arts, and medical.
Qigong is thus a soft form of a related set of disciplines that includes
Taiji (Tai Chi Quan) and the hard form of Kung Fu. Here I treat only the
medical tradition.
Like the other
forms, medical qigong is "the cultivation and deliberate control of a
higher form of vital energy" (Dong & Esser 1990:xi). It is also, as Yan
Xin (1991: i) defines it, "an ancient philosophical system of harmonious
integration of the human body with the universe." As a radical denial of
the human species' separation from nature, qigong challenges the
foundations of modern Western biomedical thought.
What medical Qigong involves
Medical qigong involves breathing exercises combined with
meditation. The breathing exercises help induce the state of
meditation, and vice versa. One is aware of what is going on,
but not too aware, fully relaxed but not in a trance. In a
qigong state, cares and troubles wash away. Replacing them are
positive images, increased confidence, and enhanced spirit.
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Eventually, there
will be no distractions, depressing thoughts or worries. Through
meditation one gains feelings of happiness. This in turn stimulates
circulation of blood and qi, or life force. If one is ill, over time the
body's functions are thus able to return to normal. If one is not ill,
the existing sense of wellness and well-being increases. People of all
ages can learn to practice qigong, and so develop and maintain internal
vigor and good health.
Medical qigong
involves breathing exercises combined with meditation. The breathing
exercises help induce the state of meditation, and vice versa. One is
aware of what is going on, but not too aware, fully relaxed but not in a
trance. In a qigong state, cares and troubles wash away. Replacing them
are positive images, increased confidence, and enhanced spirit.
Eventually, there will be no distractions, depressing thoughts or
worries. Through meditation one gains feelings of happiness. This in
turn stimulates circulation of blood and qi, or life force. If one is
ill, over time the body's functions are thus able to return to normal.
If one is not ill, the existing sense of wellness and well-being
increases. People of all ages can learn to practice qigong, and so
develop and maintain internal vigor and good health.
How Qigong can help
The Chinese have found qigong an effective way to treat substance abuse
and obesity. This gentle art improves delivery of oxygen to the body's
cells, reduces stress and improves bowel functioning. Chinese practitioners
have applied qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals
suffering from a variety of ailments. These include allergies,
arthritis, asthma, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis,
gout, headaches, heart disease and hypertension. The list goes on:
chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lower back pain, Meniere's
disease, myopia, obesity, neurasthenia, paralysis induced by external
injury, retinopathy (deterioration of the back of the eye), rheumatism,
sciatic neuralgia, sleeplessness, stress, torticollis, ulcers, and
peripheral vascular disease. Qigong can successfully treat Cancer and
reduce or eliminate side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It is
helpful in treating aphasia (loss or impairment of ability to speak),
cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and post-stroke
syndrome. It is especially useful in treating any kind of chronic pain,
and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and
nervous systems.
Qigong can help
one fight virtually any disease. Through qigong, patients can cure many
of the 50 percent of all diseases that Western doctors dismiss as
untreatably 'psychosomatic.' If you try qigong to treat an existing
illness, do so if possible under the guidance of a licensed Chinese
medical practitioner. Don't try it completely on your own. Beginners need
professional supervision. Here the practitioner, or qigong practitioner acts
as an advisor and teacher, rather than a Western-style repair
technician. The patient must be an active partner in the healthcare
process.
Avoiding Disease
In
addition to providing cures, qigong helps people prevent the onset of
diseases. This can save money and prevent suffering. Qigong increases
strength, improves resistance to infectious diseases and premature
senility, and helps assure a long life. Practicing qigong can greatly
reduce the danger of stroke. It can improve blood sugar levels for
diabetics. Because it normalizes the level of sex hormones, it can
correct sexual impotence and frigidity. Its stress relieving effects
improves one's sex life -- both quantity and quality. Practice of qigong
can speed recovery from surgery, and from sports and other injuries by
up to 50 percent.
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Qigong
offers individuals a way to achieve a relaxed, harmonious state
of dynamic equilibrium. It typically improves their overall
health status, allowing them to maintain a life free from pain,
and full of vigor and grace. Qigong is a proper therapeutic
practice with which to address virtually any chronic health
problem. The various forms of Chinese medical massage (tuinah)
derive directly from qigong. |
These practices
compliment and supplement orthodox medical interventions.
Many millions of
people have learned and practiced qigong in its many thousand year
history. We do not know how old qigong is, but the further we go back in
Chinese history the larger qigong looms as a cultural force. Some
turtle-shell artifacts conclusively show the art was important at least
7,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests the practice may go
back a million years. About 2,000 years ago The *Yellow Emperor's
Classic of Internal Medicine* first systematically described qigong
practice. Now qigong has finally reached North America -- through the
increasing popularity of kung fu movies, acupuncture and Chinese herbal
medicine. Qigong was a natural discovery of the New Age movement. Its
underlying philosophy and practice both serve that movement's goals:
qigong does 'raise consciousness' in significant respects.
How does Qigong Work?
Practicing
qigong lowers blood pressure, pulse rates, metabolic rates, lactate
production, and oxygen demand. It raises the endocrine system's
capabilities. It also has a regulating effect on the substances cyclic
adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. These
substances play basic roles in respiration and the provision of oxygen
to the body's cells. The sense of serenity qigong produces results
partly from a slightly increased body temperature, and an increased rate
of oxygen absorption. Qigong activates qi, improves blood circulation,
and balances yin yang. It bolsters the immune system, and stimulates the
conductivity of the meridians and channels through which qi flows.In
Chinese medical theory, many diseases come from adverse environmental
conditions such as heat, cold, wind, dryness and humidity; wrong diet;
spoiled food; worms and microbes; poisoning and pollution; trauma and
accidents. Internal conditions can arise from excess or deficient
emotions of anger, joy, sympathy, grief or fear [and] inappropriate
mental attitudes and beliefs. There are also maladies of the spirit
which can cause serious problems. These factors can cause one's chi [qi]
to become excessive, deficient, stuck, blocked, congested or stagnant,
and thereby cause all manner of problems.
When the immune
system is strong, one is emotionally centered within one's body, and qi
and blood are flowing freely, then most diseases should disappear.
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The goal of
practising qigong is to make our qi circulate strongly in our
bodies. This helps us resist or overcome imbalances or blockages
and their resulting disharmonies. That is also the goal of
acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Practicing qigong helps
us intuit the infinity of the universe. It lets us sense our
place as organized clusters of energy-information within the
immense whole. Qi is an informational message and its carrier, a
complex energy substance basic to life itself. |
Chinese medicine can
prolong life, vitality and well-being by slowing the aging process. This
it accomplishes due to the affinities of certain herbs to qi and the
milieu within which qi exists. Qigong therefore 'fits' into the regimen
of Chinese medicine. The qigong art thus plays a fully active role to
prevent disease or permit recovery. |