Qi gong (pronounced chee guhng) has been practiced in many forms across China for thousands of years. The purpose of this ancient form of exercise is to enhance and balance the inner qi by utilizing specific body movements and breathing techniques. Many Chinese, as well as people from all over the world, praise qi gong, claiming it promotes a condition of both mental and physical health that cannot be achieved with any other form of exercise. With all of the claims and testimonials surrounding this practice, you may find yourself asking: Should I try qi gong?
Qi gong involves meditative exercise techniques that center around the body’s main energy center known as the Dantian (pronounced dahn tyehn). The Dantian is located about three inches below the belly button and is thought to be the root of all qi in the body. The main idea is to completely focus all of the body’s energy on this area while moving the body in certain ways to direct the qi to where it is needed most.
There are a few different types of qi gong, including variations that are used for medicinal purposes. Slow, meditative forms encourage the body to become relaxed, while more vigorous forms promote energy waves to surge throughout the body. Medicinal forms have been used to treat diseases, improve mental cognition, build strength, and increase immune function. Qi gong promotes proper circulation, and has even been used to treat common ailments such as chronic pain, digestive issues, headaches, vision problems, even toothaches.
In order to practice qi gong, an individual must master three specific exercise categories: exercises that regulate the body, exercises that regulate the heart and mind, and exercises that regulate breathing. Each exercise category has to be mastered in a specific order and must be fully learned before moving on to the next. The purpose of each category is to train the body how to release tension, strengthen muscle groups and tendons, and properly circulate blood flow and the qi, to various areas of the body.
While certain conditions require specific movements, all forms of qi gong encourage a deep relaxation that allows muscles, internal organs, and bodily tissues to rest and repair themselves. By focusing on the Dantian, all unpleasant, stressful thoughts are released creating a more relaxed, peaceful state of mind. This strong healing energy can be combined with other healing practices, such as acupuncture, to transform the body in profound ways.
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