Qi gong combines many meditative and physically active elements. It is the basic exercise system of traditional Chinese medicine. It is designed to help you preserve your Jing, as well as balance the flow of Qi energy, which enlightens your Shen.
Qi gong is not a term for a single exercise, but many gentle movements and concentration practices. Some experts have reported there are over 3,000 different Qi gong styles in existence. Tai chi and other Qi gong exercises are some of the secrets of those living in the blue zone. In today’s world, holistic health practitioners are promoting Qi gong because of its proven stress-reducing benefits and its ability to improve inner-focus and flexibility.
Qi gong exercises and meditations are rooted in the Yin and Yang principle.
The Yin is being it, while the Yang is doing it. You can express Yin Qi gong exercises through breathing, visualization, and relaxed stretching.
On the other hand, Yang Qi gong is expressed more dynamically or aerobically. They are used mainly to boost the immune system. It is extensively used in China for individuals living with cancer.
How Does Qi gong Work?
Qi gong spiritual and physical routines move your Qi energy through the Twelve Primary Channels and the Eight Extra Channels, smoothing the flow, balancing it, and strengthening it. In Chinese medicine, Qi gong exercises are used to extend longevity, prevent illness, and maintain health because it is a powerful tool, which helps maintain and restore balance to the organs, and in extension, body systems. Qi gong is also used for many other non-medical purposes, such as pursuing enlightenment and fighting.
Qi gong exercises are suitable for people of all ages. You do not need the ability to run a marathon or the power to bench press a car before you can pursue the healthful benefits of Qigong.
When your practitioner designs your Qi gong or meditation exercises, it will be according to your body condition. Humans are born with different body constitutions, and imbalances are inherited in different ways, which could also be impacted by lifestyle choices and/or nutrition.
But we must work to correct these imbalances; some people will find it easier than others to achieve strength and balance others. But no matter your body condition, Qigong can help you achieve optimum balance.
Qi gong is a system for a lifetime; you will find people over sixty years of age practicing Tai Chi and Qigong. It has immense medical benefits, but the exercises are usually gentle.
How to pronounce Qi gong?
Are you going to meet a Qi gong practitioner or a Chinese Qi Gong master, and you do not know how to pronounce Qi Gong correctly? If you do not want to embarrass you rself with the pronunciation, I’ve got you covered.
If you pronounce Qi gong as Chi Kung or Chi Gong, it all means the same thing and are pronounced the same.
Chinese is a tonal language, thus to correctly pronounce Chinese words, you need to know the different vowels, consonants, and the right tone.
Qigong is divided into two parts:
• Qi
• Gong
Pronounce “Chi” as “chee,” more like trying to pronounce cheese in the English language, but go down with your tone.
Then pronounce “Gōng” as “gung,” maintain the same level with your tone.
Now say it to yourself, “Qi gong.”
Fantastic, now you know how to pronounce Qi gong!
What do Qi Gong Practitioners Do?
Qi gong practitioners practice the same foundational techniques of Qi gong as every other person, but due to long years of practice and training, they understand every thought, breadth, and move behind the technique.
Through effort (“gong”), they have transcended into a deeper level of understanding the exercises, which is directed into learning how to control the Qi.
Qi gong practitioners believe that if you can control your Qi, you can emit it to heal others. And this is done in many ways depending on the practitioner.
Here is a list of what a Qigong practitioner might offer in their practice:
• Qi gong massage: By placing hands on the receiver through a massage, touch, or acupressure.
• Tool manipulation: Through the use of a pointed object, stones (jade, brass, gold, and silver), precious metals, acupuncture needles to manipulate areas of the body.
• Item empowerment: This is done by energizing precious stones or metals, teas, water (for washing or drinking), and herbal formulas to boost their healing properties.
• Qi emission: This is done by placing hands some inches above the receiver and emitting Qi to supplement deficiencies and remove negative influences.
Qi gong practitioners believe that to transmit Qi to help others, the healer must maintain excellent personal health. Therefore, he must continuously practice self-healing Qi gong to be in good health.
The art of Qi gong teaches that without self-healing, a practitioner’s ability to heal diminishes, and his health will deteriorate.
Qi gong practitioners also believe diligent practice helps them develop skills such as clairsentience, clairaudience, and clairvoyance, which help a healer’s diagnostic skills.
Also, Qi gong practitioners also understand Traditional Chinese Medicine theories, the concept of the meridians, the Qi, five-elements, and other theories – their application and uses.
It is this knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine in partnership with the intuition that is used to balance the patient’s Qi.
If a Qigong practitioner is over-reliant on intuition or theory, he will not be a great healer. Only those who can find the balance become one.
The Qi gong Kinetics
These are relatively simple exercises that are easy to learn and can be carried out instantly by simply following a teacher’s move. Though the Qi gong movements are straightforward to execute, the focus is not on moving the body and its extremities; else, it will be a regular body exercise.
Many people including Qi gong students often mistakenly think these movements are warm-up exercise, it may look like one, but it is a healing art, which helps the practitioner enters a state of relaxation in the body and mind which is a way of working with the life energy.
The Bottom Line
Qi gong is a traditional Chinese healthcare practice and has been in existence for more than 2,000 years.
There are over a thousand Qi gong styles practiced throughout the world, and they all integrate focused intention, breathing techniques, and physical postures.
Tai chi is one form of Qi gong, and its benefit includes: reducing joint pain, stress reduction, better physical functioning, better physical functioning, improved heart health, protection from falls, and improved balance.
References
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