QiGong
QiGong is one of the five branches of China's ancient system of integrative health care, blending breath, movement and meditation to gain total wellbeing regardless of age, gender or ability.
What is
QiGong?
"Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from your own mind
and thus understand all things?
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Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control;
this is the supreme virtue."
Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching (10)
translated by Stephen Mitchell​
QiGong the 'word' has many different spellings, pronunciations and descriptions.
The word, or words, represent many translations from the original Chinese characters (Hanzi).
Qi; the first character, represents the transformation of energy both invisible and visible that nourish life. i.e. water to vapour and rice from raw to edible
Gong; the second character represents cultivation or work to transform Qi
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However, Qi isn't just present in humans!
Qi is the universal animating energy that flows around and within all things.
"Qigong is a jewel that has many facets."
Ken Cohen
QiGong the 'practice'
There are many QiGong styles and forms, courtesy of an ancestry that spans 1,000s and 1,000s of years. Over the years, each master, teacher and student has embellished and adapted the styles and forms according to their interpretation & intention.
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Ultimately though all variants adhere to ancient philosophies and principles for attaining whole being balance and harmony.
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QiGong alongside Acupuncture, Herbal medicine, Nutrition and Massage make up the 5 branches of China's ancient holistic medical system that focuses on developing overall health and wellbeing while encouraging the maintenance of such through regular and consistent self-care.
Health & Wellbeing Benefits
of QiGong
"The spirit is something to be enjoyed. It is not a harsh discipline. And I think people should take some time every day for some kind of moving meditation, like Qigong or Tai Chi."
Shirley MacLaine
Why should I seek whole being harmony and balance?
The effects of regular QiGong practices, across various ages and genders, are consistently and intensively studied by scientists and researchers. The findings have identified physical and mental health improvements in areas such as:
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health of joints, ligaments, connective tissues and bones
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flexibility and strength in the muscular body
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function of the internal organs and associated systems
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stabilising of blood pressure and hormonal levels
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reduction of physical pain & discomfort
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mental health and attitude
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stress and depression
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sleep
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overall fitness and vitality
and so on
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Some further reading
There are many publications, websites, research papers, etc. on the practice and benefits of QiGong, for example:
"The Healing Promise of Qi" - Roger Jahnke, O.M.D. (McGraw-Hill Education) ISBN 978-0-8092-9528-9
"The Way of Qigong" - Kenneth S. Cohen (Ballantine Books Inc) ISBN 978-0-345-42109-8
"The Spark in the Machine" - Dr Daniel Keown M.B. Ch.B., Lic. AC. (Singing Dragon) ISBN 978-1-84819-196-9​
Research (or google 'gigong research'):
QiGong Institute - https://www.qigonginstitute.org/abstracts
Science Direct - https://www.sciencedirect.com/