Introduction
to Qi Gong
Qigong
(pronounced chee goong) is a Chinese system of physical training,
philosophy, and preventive and therapeutic health care. Qi (or chi)
means air, breath of life or vital essence. Gong means work, self-discipline,
achievement or mastery. This art combines aerobic conditioning, isometrics,
isotonics, meditation, and relaxation. Qigong is a discipline whose
practice allows us to gain control over the life force that courses
throughout our bodies. There are more than 3,000 varieties of qigong,
and five major qigong traditions: the Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian,
martial arts, and medical. Qigong is thus a soft form of a related
set of disciplines that includes Taiji (Tai Chi Quan) and the hard
form of Kung Fu. Here I treat only the medical tradition.
Like the other
forms, medical qigong is "the cultivation and deliberate control
of a higher form of vital energy" (Dong & Esser 1990:xi).
It is also, as Yan Xin (1991: i) defines it, "an ancient philosophical
system of harmonious integration of the human body with the universe."
As a radical denial of the human species' separation from nature,
qigong challenges the foundations of modern Western biomedical thought.
What
medical Qigong involves
Medical qigong involves breathing exercises combined with meditation.
The breathing exercises help induce the state of meditation,
and vice versa. One is aware of what is going on, but not too
aware, fully relaxed but not in a trance. In a qigong state,
cares and troubles wash away. Replacing them are positive images,
increased confidence, and enhanced spirit. |
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Eventually,
there will be no distractions, depressing thoughts or worries. Through
meditation one gains feelings of happiness. This in turn stimulates
circulation of blood and qi, or life force. If one is ill, over
time the body's functions are thus able to return to normal. If
one is not ill, the existing sense of wellness and well-being increases.
People of all ages can learn to practice qigong, and so develop
and maintain internal vigor and good health.
Medical qigong
involves breathing exercises combined with meditation. The breathing
exercises help induce the state of meditation, and vice versa. One
is aware of what is going on, but not too aware, fully relaxed but
not in a trance. In a qigong state, cares and troubles wash away.
Replacing them are positive images, increased confidence, and enhanced
spirit. Eventually, there will be no distractions, depressing thoughts
or worries. Through meditation one gains feelings of happiness.
This in turn stimulates circulation of blood and qi, or life force.
If one is ill, over time the body's functions are thus able to return
to normal. If one is not ill, the existing sense of wellness and
well-being increases. People of all ages can learn to practice qigong,
and so develop and maintain internal vigor and good health.
How
Qigong can help
The Chinese have found qigong an effective way to treat substance
abuse and obesity. This gentle art improves delivery of oxygen to
the body's cells, reduces stress and improves bowel functioning. Chinese
doctors have applied qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals
suffering from a variety of ailments. These include allergies, arthritis,
asthma, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, gout, headaches,
heart disease and hypertension. The list goes on: chronic kidney disease,
liver disease, lower back pain, Meniere's disease, myopia, obesity,
neurasthenia, paralysis induced by external injury, retinopathy (deterioration
of the back of the eye), rheumatism, sciatic neuralgia, sleeplessness,
stress, torticollis, ulcers, and peripheral vascular disease. Qigong
can successfully treat Cancer and reduce or eliminate side effects
from radiation and chemotherapy. It is helpful in treating aphasia
(loss or impairment of ability to speak), cerebral palsy, multiple
sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and post-stroke syndrome. It is especially
useful in treating any kind of chronic pain, and chronic disorders
of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Qigong can help
one fight virtually any disease. Through qigong, patients can cure
many of the 50 percent of all diseases that Western doctors dismiss
as untreatably 'psychosomatic.' If you try qigong to treat an existing
illness, do so if possible under the guidance of a licensed Chinese
medical doctor. Don't try it completely on your own. Beginners need
professional supervision. Here the doctor, or qigong practitioner
acts as an advisor and teacher, rather than a Western-style repair
technician. The patient must be an active partner in the healthcare
process.
Avoiding
Disease
In addition
to providing cures, qigong helps people prevent the onset of diseases.
This can save money and prevent suffering. Qigong increases strength,
improves resistance to infectious diseases and premature senility,
and helps assure a long life. Practicing qigong can greatly reduce
the danger of stroke. It can improve blood sugar levels for diabetics.
Because it normalizes the level of sex hormones, it can correct sexual
impotence and frigidity. Its stress relieving effects improves one's
sex life -- both quantity and quality. Practice of qigong can speed
recovery from surgery, and from sports and other injuries by up to
50 percent.
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Qigong
offers individuals a way to achieve a relaxed, harmonious state
of dynamic equilibrium. It typically improves their overall
health status, allowing them to maintain a life free from pain,
and full of vigor and grace. Qigong is a proper therapeutic
practice with which to address virtually any chronic health
problem. The various forms of Chinese medical massage (tuinah)
derive directly from qigong. |
These practices
compliment and supplement orthodox medical interventions.
Many millions
of people have learned and practiced qigong in its many thousand
year history. We do not know how old qigong is, but the further
we go back in Chinese history the larger qigong looms as a cultural
force. Some turtle-shell artifacts conclusively show the art was
important at least 7,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests
the practice may go back a million years. About 2,000 years ago
The *Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine* first systematically
described qigong practice. Now qigong has finally reached North
America -- through the increasing popularity of kung fu movies,
acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Qigong was a natural discovery
of the New Age movement. Its underlying philosophy and practice
both serve that movement's goals: qigong does 'raise consciousness'
in significant respects.
How
does Qigong Work?
Practicing
qigong lowers blood pressure, pulse rates, metabolic rates, lactate
production, and oxygen demand. It raises the endocrine system's capabilities.
It also has a regulating effect on the substances cyclic adenosine
monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. These substances
play basic roles in respiration and the provision of oxygen to the
body's cells. The sense of serenity qigong produces results partly
from a slightly increased body temperature, and an increased rate
of oxygen absorption. Qigong activates qi, improves blood circulation,
and balances yin yang. It bolsters the immune system, and stimulates
the conductivity of the meridians and channels through which qi flows.In
Chinese medical theory, many diseases come from adverse environmental
conditions such as heat,
cold, wind, dryness and humidity; wrong diet; spoiled food; worms
and microbes; poisoning and pollution; trauma and accidents. Internal
conditions can arise from excess or deficient emotions of anger, joy,
sympathy, grief or fear [and] inappropriate mental attitudes and beliefs.
There are also maladies of the spirit which can cause serious problems.
These factors can cause one's chi [qi] to become excessive, deficient,
stuck, blocked, congested or stagnant, and thereby cause all manner
of problems.
When the immune
system is strong, one is emotionally centered within one's body,
and qi and blood are flowing freely, then most diseases should disappear.
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The
goal of practising qigong is to make our qi circulate strongly
in our bodies. This helps us resist or overcome imbalances or
blockages and their resulting disharmonies. That is also the
goal of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Practicing
qigong helps us intuit the infinity of the universe. It lets
us sense our place as organized clusters of energy-information
within the immense whole. Qi is an informational message and
its carrier, a complex energy substance basic to life itself.
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Chinese medicine
can prolong life, vitality and well-being by slowing the aging process.
This it accomplishes due to the affinities of certain herbs to qi
and the milieu within which qi exists. Qigong therefore 'fits' into
the regimen of Chinese medicine. The qigong art thus plays a fully
active role to prevent disease or permit recovery.
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