Qi Gong for Everyone
Qi Gong is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of all New Age practices. First of all, few people know how to pronounce the name correctly (it’s Chee Kung). Secondly, few can decide whether it’s a martial art or a relaxation technique (it can be both). And thirdly, many people wrongly assume that it was banned in China (that’s Falun Gong, not Qi Gong).
Qi Gong is a series of breathing, relaxation and concentration exercises designed to bring the body’s energy, or qi, in harmony with itself, and restore balance. To an outsider, it’s a bit like yoga, Tai Chi and TM (transcendental meditation) rolled into one, and its basic philosophy is to teach people to harness and make best use of their qi, keeping it flowing freely throughout the body.
Proponents of Qi Gong say that anyone can benefit from it and improve their health, regardless of their background or expertise in the area.
“When this qi or energy stagnates or becomes out of balance we become sick. When it is in balance and flows freely we live healthy and happy lives,” Rich Marantz, founder of the Vermont-based Green Mountain Tai Chi, said in recent interview. “This can be illustrated with water. If you are walking through the woods and see a stagnant pond of water and a stream of quick flowing water, which would you drink from?”
Origins and Applications of Qi Gong
Researchers have supposedly traced Qi Gong back at least 5,000 years, although most followers say it goes back about 2,500. Although nobody knows exactly how it all began, supposedly it goes back to Shamanist practices in Chinese culture, and then evolved incorporating both Buddhist and Taoist applications used to treat and prevent illness and for use in the martial arts.
Qi Gong is normally practiced in health clubs and fitness centers in the US, where adherents think about their breathing, concentration and focus points as they carry out a series of slow, careful and controlled movements. They focus a lot on the flow of the qi throughout their bodies, and in some cases they concentrate on specific areas that need healing.
Around the world there are currently thousands of forms of Qi Gong which are in practice, with each school having its own distinct style. Saying that, it has four major areas of concentration, or application, including:
Healing. Basically, this relates to stress. Proponents of Chinese medicine believe that keeping our stress levels down is instrumental on controlling certain medical and other conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety. Qi Gong is believed to help relieve that by boosting the immune system in the body and helping the body to heal itself.
External Healing. A bit like the above, but with other complementary therapies often added, such as osteopathy and acupuncture. The idea is that followers of Qi Gong can tap into the energy that is abundant in nature and funnel it through their bodies, thus letting helping properties wash over them, and in effect cleanse them. However, the healing is a bit like Reiki – it is performed away from the body and is not a hands-on technique, leaving it open to skepticism.
Sports. Fairly obvious as it involves using the techniques developed and perfected through practicing Qi Gong in other areas of sport. Martial arts in general can help improve stamina, coordination, balance, flexibility etc – this can all be applied to different sports from golf to tennis to ping pong.
Spiritual. Using ideas in Qi Gong which have evolved through the practice of Taoism and Buddhism, spiritual Qi Gong puts us in harmony with nature and also helps us become more calm, less stressed and more self-aware. It is thought to not only help people get in touch with a divine presence but can also help them get in touch with themselves.
Please be aware that Qi Gong is also applied to other areas as well, such as art and business. It is especially useful, at least in theory, for what is known as “hurry sickness” – as followers believe that it can help turn back the clock on heart disease associated with this, as well as aging in general.
Author Description :
Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Beauty Salon or more Personal Care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Qi Gong for Everyone
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