First it may be important to understand the real meaning of Qi Gong to avoid falling into a simple “new age” version of fitness. We must understand that Qi Gong did not originate from a need for exercising, getting fit, looking good, or having a healthy social activity. Qi Gong originated from the need for survival. A few meaning for “Qi” would be energy, vital force, or breath and for “Gong” work, cultivation, or refinement. So brought together we understand that it is about using the breath to increase or refine the quality of our energy. Qi Gong can be classified in four categories: Popular Qi Gong, Martial Qi Gong, Medical Qi Gong, and Spiritual Qi Gong. Although each category come from the same source and have many points in common they are distinct primarily by their goals and by specific training specific to these objectives. Popular Qi Gong is mostly practiced by masses with the intention of activating the energy of their body to maintain health. It is a kind of a holistic workout most likely wrapped into a short form that can be performed relatively in a short time. Martial Qi Gong is mainly a training that complements the forms. Let’s say that the form would be the container and the Qi Gong would be the training that helps the practitioner grow power into the form. We must understand here as well that originally Martial Arts were not a sport or an eastern type of dance or physical expression but a mean to protect yourself, your family, and your country from real invasion. Again here it was...
Benefits? How many other sports, meditation, martial arts, or yogic exercise can compare with the number of advantages that qigong/chi kung has? When I started to list the potential benefits, the list became so long, I had to divide the page in two, with health related topics listed on a second page. Qigong (a.ka. chi kung) has been around since the dawn of Chinese civilization, and now, more than ever, people around the world are practicing qigong. Even if you are skeptical about some of the things qigong practitioners claim they can do, with scientists and the medical profession getting into the research, there must be something behind this ancient practice. Qigong can be used for self-defense Qigong itself is not necessarily a martial art but it is called neigong (internal art) for a reason, because it cultivates chi energy that is used in martial arts. Also, some qigong styles, such as tai chi chuan (also phonetically spelled taijiquan), are essentially martial arts, even though contemporary tai chi is more often than not practiced without the aspects of self-defense application. The martial art benefits are not in self-defense alone, but also in strength. A person who practices qigong martial arts benefits by building strength without building muscle. That is how a small weak old man can use qigong to topple his opponent three times his size and weight and strength! I recall one time when I was sparring with a partner who was wearing special prescription glasses. He had paid extra to have these glasses made from lenses that were supposed to be shatter-proof. Without thinking, I had hooked...
Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of exercise and meditation that makes the mind and spirit tranquil, improves performance in sports, and cultivates health, well-being, and long life. Thus, there are three major kinds of qigong: spiritual, sports, and healing. It is a spiritual discipline, inspired by ancient Chinese shamans, Taoists, and Buddhists, all of who sought harmony and peace in the solitude of nature. Evidence demonstrates that qigong may be an effect adjunct in the treatment of many illnesses including cancer and heart disease. Learn about the remarkable 12 benefits of qigong, here: 1. Well-being and improved health. Qigong emphasizes the whole body, whole system health. While it is true that qigong will often cure specific ills, this is not the primary reason for practice. It is not only a matter of adding years to your life, but life to your years. 2. Clear and tranquil mind. When the mind is at peace, the whole universe seems at peace. World peace begins with you; it is your responsibility to find a peaceful heart and mind. Then you can heal and transform others just through your presence. If you have a tranquil mind, you will make better decisions and have the skill to know when act and when to be still. 3. Deeper, more restorative sleep. Qigong will help you find the deep relaxation and mental quiet necessary for sleep. 4. Increased energy, including sexual vitality and fertility. Qigong people have more energy; it can reverse energy and restore youthfulness. 5. Comfortable warmth. Qigong is great for cold hands and feet. Circulation improves, and the body generates more internal...
Introduction In the early 1980’s, scientists in China began to study the medical benefits claimed for qigong. Since then, research on hundreds of medical applications of qigong have been reported in the Chinese literature. Of special interest for the present article are clinical reports of the medical benefits of qigong that claim to retard or reverse some diseases associated with aging. Most of the original research was reported in Chinese, but access in English to most of this material is possible by reference to the proceedings of international conferences of qigong. Since 1986, ten such proceedings contain about 840 abstracts of talks given at the conferences, more than half of which are in English. These abstracts, along with about 160 abstracts of articles in the scientific literature, have been organized as a computerized database. The database enables searches and development of bibliographies across this entire body of information by using any key word. The clinical outcomes reported in this article are partly based on material in the database and partly on the author’s person contacts with researchers. The word qigong is a combination of two ideas: qi the vital energy of the body, and gong the skill of working of the qi. Medical qigong for health and healing consists primarily of meditation, physical movements, and breathing exercises. Qigong practitioners develop an awareness of qi sensations in their bodies and use their mind, i.e., intention, to guide the qi in the body. The benefits of qigong are said to extend beyond health and healing to enhance spiritual life and even special abilities, such as psychic powers. Medical qigong is divided...
Experimental evidence suggests the following healing effects of qigong exercises and meditations. Cardiovascular lower resting heart rate; normalized EKG, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels Respiratory slower respiratory rate, improves gaseous exchange, significant benefits for asthma & bronchitis Immune System better targeting of antigens, significant anti-cancer effect Circulation improves microcirculation, prevents vascular spasms, very helpful for angina, migraine, and Reynaud’s Syndrome (cold hands & feet) Brain improves cerebral blood flow, less incidence of stroke; reduction in frequency and intensity of seizure disorders; slow, high amplitude brainwaves suggest relaxed and integrated state of consciousness Musculoskeletal improves posture, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility Chronic Pain significant pain reduction from all causes, including injury, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia Mental Health decreases: stress response, Type A, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, depression. Improves memory and interpersonal sensitivity Longevity improves: blood pressure, vital capacity, cholesterol and hormone levels, kidney function, mental acuity, vision and hearing, skin elasticity, bone density, immune function, digestion, balance, flexibility, strength, libido. Destroys free radicals (major cause of tissue degeneration) by stimulating activity of superoxide dismutase Source: Qi Gong Research...
