A Little Qigong Anyone?

by Steve Stanley

What The Heck Is Qigong?

Qigong is the venerable Chinese art and science of becoming aware of this life’s energy, and learning how to manage it’s flow through a precise choreography of posture, movement, respiratory technique, and meditation.

Theory And Origin Of Qigong:

A living soul acquires qi from the food by eating, from the air by breathing, and from interacting with their surroundings. In the body, qi represents the unseen essential force that sustains a lifetime. A person becomes ill or dies when the amount or category of qi is unbalanced within the body. Qigong practice involves the manipulation and balance of the qi within the practitioner’s body, and it’s interaction with the practitioner’s surroundings. The method and ultimate goal for the practice is dependent on the practitioner.

Historically, the effect of qigong practice has always been subjective. It ranges from a feeling of calmness and peacefulness, to a sense of well being. All through history, remarkable claims have also been produced as a result of qigong practice. The journey towards self-enlightenment can incorporate descriptions of out of body experiences and miraculous powers.

Qigong is like an amazing river fed by four considerable tributaries: shamanism, spirituality, medicine, and martial arts:

1. Shamanism:

In venerable Chinese text, China was often siege by floods and widespread disease resulting from it. Legends say that the emperor cleared the land and diverted the water by dancing a bear dance, and invoking the mystical powers of the constellations. As the waters subsided, folks reasoned that movement and exercise can similarly give rise to the internal rivers to flow more smoothly, clearing the obstructions to health. Chinese Shamans used these exercises and meditations to commune with nature and natural forces and to increase their powers of healing and divination.

2. Spirituality (Taoism and Buddhism):

In Taoism, their intention is to acquire an empty, alert, boundless state of consciousness, with spirit and body in balance. Taoists and qigong practitioners were both looking for a harmony of yin and yang: inside and outside, earthly and spiritual, stillness and activity.
In Buddhism, emphasis is placed on tranquillity, awareness, and diligent practice. Several styles of qigong were developed by Buddhists who needed an exercising and healing system to complement their lengthy seated meditations.

3. Medicine:

Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, diet, and qigong. Qigong is the preventive and self-healing aspect of Chinese medicine, and was used in the past, as today, to advise patients how to improve their own health.

4. Martial Arts:

Qigong practice can improve performance in the martial arts or any other sport. Chinese martial artists designed, or helped to improve many qigong techniques as they looked for ways to increase speed, stamina, and power, improve balance, flexibility, and coordination, and condition the body against injury.

Eight Benefits Of Practicing Qigong:

Qigong has been around since the dawn of Chinese civilization, and now, more than ever, people around the world are practicing it. Here are a few benefits accompanying with practicing Qigong :

1. Self Defense:
Qigong itself is not a martial art, but it cultivates “chi” energy used in martial arts. It builds up a person’s strength without building muscle. This is how a small weak man can take this art to topple his opponent twice his size, weight and strength.

2.Builds Power And Concentration:
In Qigong we use a combination of subconscious conditioning, visualization, concentration and focused intent to guide and circulate out chi energy. With practice, we will be able to focus our concentration.

3. Deeper, More Restorative Sleep:
Qigong will help you find the deep rest and mental quiet essential for sleep.

4. Amplified energy, including sexual vitality and fertility. Qigong persons have more energy; it can reverse aging, and restore youthfulness.

5. Happy Attitude:
Correct and moderate Qigong practice usually creates an optimistic and joyous disposition.

6. More Efficient Metabolism:
Digestion improves, and hair and nails grow more quickly.

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