Practicing Qigong benefits us through the steady cultivation of our own life energy (Qi) as well as reducing stress, improving circulation and maintaining the strength and flexibility of the joints.
Qigong movements combined with deep breathing enable us to release destructive energy (tension, stress, fear etc), slowly and gracefully, without putting pressure on the joints. It is also very calming, with no goals or high standards to achieve. It is a holistic and therapeutic exercise based practice.
Each Qigong sequence has a flow and a rhythm to it, designed to soothe and restore both body and mind. It is not overly complicated or difficult and each sequence naturally flows into the next. Every instructor and Qigong class will be unique, there are popular online classes on Youtube and many gyms and clubs now offer Qigong.
Is Qigong For Beginners
Yes, Qigong is very good for beginners and doesn't require much strength or flexibility. It also allows us to develop a grasp of the energy in and around us, which is always available to us, at any age or fitness level. Life Energy is the key to a healthy body and mind and the ability to cultivate energy is an invaluable skill.
Qigong is practiced throughout the stages of life in China, empowering martial artists as well as the elderly and young. For those of us who feel stiff, have chronic pain or even disabilities we still have the power to bring more energy to our lives. A chair can usually be used if necessary, allowing the participant to practice the upper body sequences easily.
Qigong is therapeutic as well as restorative and empowering.
Qigong Pronunciation and Origins
Qigong is pronounced chee-gung and traces it's roots back to ancient China. Some historians date its origins as far back as 4,000 years ago. The term Qigong translates to "energy cultivation" or "energy work," reflecting its core focus on harnessing and balancing the body's vital energy, or "qi."
Throughout Chinese history, Qigong evolved and intertwined with various philosophical and spiritual traditions, including Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It was practiced by emperors, warriors, and common folk alike, each seeking to tap into its profound wisdom and power.
Why Practice Qigong
Maybe we can imagine ourselves flowing through life, with the flow of life, feeling full of life and at ease with life. However fighting with, struggling with and rejecting life are also very common experiences. The harder we try the worse our situation can become.
Qi Gong teaches us not to fight or force our way through life but to flow with it.......using self awareness and insight rather than reactivity. By experiencing this feeling of harmony in a Qi Gong class we learn to approach life as an art and not a race.
Qi Gong also teaches us that our own energy (Qi) heals. We deepen and strengthen our inner resources therefore building confidence and stability within the mind and body.
There are significant health benefits to Qi Gong including:
Reduced Stress, Anxiety and Cortisol Levels
Improved Mobility
Improved Balance, Strength and Stability
Improved Circulation
Improved Focus and Mindfulness
Improved Circulation
Immune System Boosting
Improved Sleep Quality
Improved Posture
Is Qi Gong Like Yoga
The health of the seven energy centres recognised in Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine are also dependent on free flowing energy and clearing energetic blocks. Qi Gong allows us improve the overall flow of energy throughout the whole body. Qi Gong is possibly more accessible and less demanding for many people, less physically demanding but equally enjoyable and rewarding.
Qi Gong also originates from ancient China while Yoga has it's roots in India.
Negative Energy, Anger and Qigong
Everything positive or negative that we experience holds energy. Clinging to energy, especially negative energy and feeding it with more energy is what creates tension and even illness in the body and mind. We've all allowed anger or regret or blame to eat us up, twist us up inside and effectively lower our energy levels (reduce our Qi).
There is a lot of evidence about how a build up of negative emotions eventually lead to physical illness. Similarly there is a lot of evidence about how a calm and balanced emotional world improves health and well-being. Qigong is a very simple way to discover feelings of inner calm and improve emotional regulation.
Some Thai Chi and Qigong techniques enable us to tap into negative energy and discover a satisfying way to release it using our own movements and focus. How and where to direct our energy (good or bad) is an invaluable life skill. In the end all energy is useful to us if we know how and where to channel it.
Qigong, Life Energy and Relationships
Often, our intuition about other people is dependent upon our ability to attune to their energy. We may choose to reflect back to them what we sense energetically. We may also choose to distance ourselves if we feel like they take more energy than we receive. Our ideas and moments of inspiration will have an energetic source, completely invisible but so important in building a happy life.
As we build confidence in how important energy is and take care of our energy, we become a master of energy, rather than a slave.
What is Thai Chi Qigong
Our Instructor, Alexander teaches Thai Chi Qigong and the 18 Shibashi movements. This ancient Chinese practice combines the flowing motions of Tai Chi with the meditative aspects of Qigong. The 18 Shibashi sequence, developed in the late 20th century, consists of simple, repetitive exercises that promote relaxation, improve flexibility, and enhance overall well-being.
Alexander practiced Thai Chi and Qigong for many years in Hong Kong. He resettled in Scotland in 2002 and after retiring he began offering Thai Chi Qigong classes to people within the Perthshire community.
While practicing Thai Chi Qigong, we cultivate our own energy using the natural rhythm of the body, rising and falling, swaying and flowing or even punching and releasing. We repeat patterns with names like 'Gazing at the Moon', 'Separating the Clouds' and 'Pushing the Waves'. I love how nature and the forces of the universe are incorporated into these 18 Shibashi Movements.
Martial Arts and Qigong
Qi Gong also profoundly influences various martial arts styles, particularly Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Wing Chun. At its core, Qi Gong enhances the practitioner's ability to harness and direct internal energy, a skill crucial in these martial disciplines.
Energy cultivation is crucial to martial arts.
My insight into Martial Arts only began a year ago by attending our hugely popular Body Combat and Boxerfit classes in Perth. Our instructor, Colleen Shek has had such a significant impact on my confidence, fitness and endorphin levels that I wrote an article about my experience there too. I also included a lot of research into the use of all martial arts in healing PTSD.
However remaining grounded while my adrenaline is pumping is an issue I've been trying to overcome in Body Combat. I find it very, very difficult to plant my feet and hold my ground while punching. Qigong helps with this, my ability to stay calm and trust myself.
I'd say Qigong or Thai chi Qigong are excellent complimentary activities to any martial arts practice.
The body and mind are capable of gathering, expressing, releasing, transforming and letting go of all energy. Martial Arts and Qigong continue to grow in popularity due to their ability to address the suffering we experience from a holistic body/mind perspective.
Conclusion
One of the things I love about Qigong is the focus on energy. Life energy (Qi) is always circulating, connecting us, being transferred and at the root of everything we each experience. Energy must be continuously cultivated, it is invisible but it is our source and it is love.
Energy grows, it multiplies and it can hurt.
Qigong ensures we have an abundance of positive life energy.We protect, support and care for our energy as well as having more loving energy for others.
You might enjoy reading Energy Vs Adversity in another post.
Energy is magical and so are you!
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