Tuesday 16 December 2014

What is Qigong Exercise and Meditation



Qigong exercise and meditation has its roots in Tai Chi and Kung Fu. Qigong is an age old Chinese system of traditional health care. The exercises of Qigong integrate meditation, focused attention, postures, spirituality and breathing techniques. Qigong is really 2 words also written Chi Kung. Qi or Chi are translated to mean Vital force or life energy. Qi is the force that flows through everything in the universe. Gong or Kung is achievement, accomplishment or the skill, or ability that comes through constant practice. Qigong is a method of preventive healthcare, curing and increasing vitality. It is the harmonious integration of breathing techniques, movement and postures, and clear intentions.

Qigong is always done in the open to connect with nature. The intent is to cultivate Wu, letting go of the ego and achieving complete emptiness. From this come inner awareness, refinement and intuition. This inner wisdom and guidance leads to harmonious living. We live in a very Yin dominated world, deeply connected to material things. Qigong helps us cultivates a balance of Yin and Yang. Yin is the earth and Yang is heaven. Qigong helps us slow down and connect with nature and focus on beauty and simple things in life. By doing this inner work great enlightenment is possible. The slow and deliberate movements of Qigong integrate meditation with physical movement. It awakens the lower Dan Tian which is the center of energy and vitality of our body. The Dan Tian nourishes the body making it calmer and healthier and the mind wiser. The flow of creativity is increased and subconscious becomes more pure. The central Qi is awakened leading to the transcendental spiral leading to the Tao by working with the Yin and Yang together. We are clearing out the criticizing mind to make way for creativity. Our nightmares give way to higher levels of dreaming making way for more creativity and consciousness.


Qigong is a broad spectrum of techniques covering spirituality, physicality, martial and medicine. In each application of Qigong three things remain constant, focus, posture and breathing. Depending on the practice Qi is cultivated to be stored and to heal the body, increased or transmitted to heal others. The styles practiced may vary from the gentle Tai Chi style to the more martial Kung Fu style. The slow gentle movements are more poplar and can be adapted to the young and old, the healthy and physically challenged alike.

Like any other system of medicine and healthcare Qigong is not an answer for everything but is an extremely effective system of traditional healthcare. It is recommended by many mainstream healthcare professionals as a complimentary system of medicine. Regular practice of Qigong helps maintain health and higher levels of energy. It assists speedy recovery from illness, maintains health in old age and keeps you more active. Hypertension and injury from falling are common in old age, Qigong practice helps prevent such illness and incidences. Qigong reestablishes the body, mind, soul connection. People who do Qigong are healthier, calm and connected to the spirit. This brings a more positive outlook towards life and a positive attitude and behavior. This in turn improves lifestyle and brings stability, greater harmony and enjoyment.

The benefits of Qigong exercise increase due to the philosophy of intent and breathing applied to physical movement integrated with the meridian system used in acupuncture and acupressure. The mild movements practiced in Qigong increase vitality, build control and stamina, reduce physical and mental stress and strengthen the immune system. It acts on all the system of the human body and improves the skeletal, reproductive, digestive, circulatory, respiratory and lymphatic systems.

There is no need for special clothing for Qigong practice since it can be practiced anywhere and at anytime. It benefits everyone from children to the old. There are various styles of Qigong from the more genteel to the extreme martial and vigorous. These can be practiced by anyone from the physically weak to super athletes. There are Qigong classes for everyone, around the world, from children to senior citizens and everyone in between. Qigong’s great appeal is that anyone practicing it will benefit regardless of ability and age. There is something in Qigong for everyone. Children can practice it to improve concentration, workers to improve productivity and old people to improve quality of life.

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