Prononced tee gong, Qigong is a health practice long practiced in China and often classified as part of Chinese Traditional Medicine (along with herbal medicine and acupuncture). The practice involves balancing and manipulating the body’s energy (chi or qi).
If you watch people practicing QiGong you’ll observe slow graceful movements and relazed breathing. It requires significant mental concentration as well as physical skill. Unlike conventional exercises it is a holistic practice that focuses on the whole body (not just the muscles ) including the lymphatic, digestive and nervous systems.
From a health care point of view, it has emerged as a practical method to help with disease prevention and wellness. But many experts and practitioners take it one step further using it as a technique that defines a way of being and a deep spiritual awareness.
Relationship with Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Both Tai Chi and Kung Fy can be considered as martial arts form of Qigong. In a sense Qigong provides the foundation for both as both require a manipulation of the body’s energy (thorugh focus and discipline).
Here’s a quote that explains the interrelationship between the disciplines in more detail from Roger Jahnke:
When you cultivate balance and harmony within yourself, or in
the world — that is Tai Chi. When you work and play with the essence
and energy of life, nature and the universe for healing, clarity and
inner peace — that is Qigong.
Although there are thousands of different types of Qigong it is useful to categroise them into three training categories: (Note the below is an oversimplification of what is involved and many qigong systems are composed of one or more types of training).
- Dynamic – involves movement (tai chi is a representation of dynamic qigong)
- Stability – involves maintaining a particular posture (has some similarities with traditional forms of yoga)
- Meditative – involves mantra, meditation, visualization and breath awareness
As with all forms of exercise consistency is vital in order to experience the health benefits. Qigong also requires mindfulness while practicing and an intense focus. In alternative health circles, qigong has been linked to improvements in chronic conditions success as allergies, back pain, depression, arthritis, cancer and diabetes. It is also widely used for physical rehabilitation and anxiety management.
Resources: