Qi Gong is a mediative practice born in China developed over thousands of years helping embrace a core root of Chinese culture and living to become a spiritual searcher in focusing ones attention on self study and self cultivation. Qigong is all about balance: balancing the energy of mind, body, emotions, and spirit.

 

So many people in todays world devote their efforts in material wealth and achieving status but are suffering spiritually causing  many emotional and health imbalances. A lot of people seem to have lost the meaning to life and search for purpose to only end in relying on ways to escape from drink, drugs to distractions from being present. If society looked at ancient practices such as Qi gong they would be able to retain balance and mental health and help heal humanities lost and suffering states.

​

What is Qi Gong  ? 

​

Qi gong was originally a technique used to manage health in ancient China. It consists of a variety of techniques which include breath work, body movement and mindfulness mediations. Not only was Qi gong originally a method to maintain a healthy wellbeing but also known to slow down the aging process and promote longevity. Qi power can make you aware of impending danger and provide the extra boost of energy needed to respond to such danger with sharp mental clarity and lightening fast reflexes. It can also be used to heal and repair injuries, whilst controlling the pain.

 

Qi means internal prana or life force that flows through our body and by balancing the Qi and harmonising this in our body is important for healthy mind body and soul. By practicing Qi gong exercises we are building the flow of Qi through the body to help cure ailments and this is similar to acupuncture which stimulates the major meridians which is surrounding by qi which circulates along the meridians..

 

Qi exists everywhere in Chinese culture the Heaven Qi contains the Earth Qi which contains within humans with their own Qi. Chinese believe Human Qi is affected and controlled by Heaven and earth Qi and this determines their destiny. Once people live according to the readings and laws of their Qi correctly they can live long and healthy lives. For those of you fairly superstitious I will take you on a journey to begin learning the different types once you start cultivating this in your daily life you are sure to see the results trust me.

 

Gong means effort and through diligent practice this helps Qi to function property in and around our body.The quality of ones Qigong practice has diret effort upn the result one can attain.

​

Can Qi Gong help me?

 

Various research has shown improvements in participants with a variety of chronic health problems.For example, in a recently published review studies that were conducted with community-dwelling adults over the age of 55. Results showed that interventions utilizing Tai Chi and Qigong may help older adults improve physical function and reduce blood pressure, fall risk, and depression and anxiety. Another view of these data may emerge if only studies of chronically ill participants are evaluated. Thus, there may be other ways to examine the RCTs reported in the current review such that specific diseases or selected study populations may reveal more consistent findings (positive or negative) for certain outcomes that are clearly tied to entry level values.

 

If energy channels become blocked your body will show signs of physical and emotional symptoms such as aches, cold,headaches and many more  begin to supress other parts of your immune system. What we need to be aware is often stressed emotions are often main causes of energy blocks and if our lives are stressful it can become a viscous cycle until we learn to heal it.

 

The benefits are not just for illness but overall wellbeing and mental heath. If you visit various parks in China and round the world millions of people practice QI Gong and Tai Chi daily. If you have not tried it its worth attempting it for relaxation and mental health it is another form of meditational mindfulness that can assist. The main purpose of Qi gong is to firstly gain mental and spiritual calmness and peace. Once you get this mental balance you can perform exercise to help circulate the Qi.

 

Benefits also include concentration those of you that struggle and context switch which we always do with social media now this is a practice that will help you create a focused outlook and provide more clarity in day to day tasks as you become more skilled.

​

Stillness , the ruler of movement (Lao Zu)

 

Longevity is something Qigong has been associated with, over nineteen hundred years of research  in spiritual practices have shown how mediators had discovered slowing the degeneration of organs is a key to living longer. There have been many Daoist and Buddhist who have been known to live 150 years. However Qigong training was past down secretly in monasteries and only past 20 years have these Qi gong ways of living an practicing come to the west.

 

 Buddhists and Daoist’s use Qi Gong to reach enlightenment in that they look for ways to lift themselves from human suffering and escape the cycle of reincarnation. Methods such as bone marrow washing qi gong and meditation have been used and I will share these practices in the coming sections for you to also use in your daily life to help reach peace.

​

​

How does Qi Travel ?

​

Qi travels through the body via 12 major channels like rivers connecting the organs and body parts and depending on the type of flow effects us, For instance when you are angry the Qi in your liver will be abnormal. Also times of day effect it such as during 11am and 1 pm the Qi in the heart is strongest. Chinese ancient medicine looks at Qi levels and when a person is unwell or injured the Qi level may be too positive(Excessive yang) or too negative(deficient yang) whereby herbs are prescribed or acupuncture to inhibit or stimulate the flow in certain channels alternately Qigong is advised.

​

Back to understanding Qi as mentioned its importance is required to maintain a healthy and strong body and this can be done by keeping the Qi circulating through the body smoothly also learning how to build Qi is a goal to help ensure you maintain this level of health. There are 12 Qi channels which function as rivers    and are responsible for distributing the Qi. In addition there are 8 Qi vessels which hold and circulate the Qi. The 12 Qi channels help Qi move to the organs a way to nourish them and keep them functioning and it is when the levels of Qi are low we experience illness or malfunction of the organ receiving that Qi.

​

Our Qi also communicates with the outside environment and 5 gates exist from our body that Qi will enter and leave:

​

• Head – the main Gate

• Centre of the Palm- called Laogong

• Centre of the foot sole- Yongquan

• Tips of fingers and toes are smaller gates but also regulate as well as the thousands of pores over our body also regulate Qi and adjust our Yin and Yang.

 

Qigong training is a way to learn how to lead and maintain Qi allowing us to manifest our power. This is why in martial arts meditation is also used to regulate and build Qi to raise ones spirit and strength. Through consistent training we can reach a level of peace and calmness giving us wellness the Dao teaches for our balanced spirit.

​

Qi Gong Theory

​

Main goal of Qi gong is connecting your  three treasures of life are to retain your Jing(essence), strengthen your Qi(Internal energy) and enlighten your Shen(Spirit).

​

Regulating your mind involves keeping your mind calm, peaceful and centred so that your outlook and judgments are objective.

Regulating your breathing will help regulate the mind this helps you get into that peaceful state quicker hence we focus on our breathing when we mediate often.

​

Before Qigong or Tai Chi you normally prepare yourself in a state of Wuji a state of quietness, whereby the mind is still as you begin to move and it then become poles of Yin and Yang, which is simply we are just activating our body and mind to begin a practice. In Qi gong breathing is important during the practice, since  you need to reach a slow and deep breathing pace. Deep and calm breathing also relaxes you and regulates your mind.

 

Breathing exercises are to be added below to provide breathwork for calmness, Qi movement and resolving ailments.  For now the 8 key words for breathing in Qi Gong are:

​

• Calm(Jing)

• Slender(Xi)

• Deep(Shen)

• Long(Chang)

• Continuous(You)

• Uniform(Yun)

• Slow(Haun)

• Soft(Mian) 

​

​

Part of Qi gong is being present and like all of us whether in mediation or mindfulness making the mind still is difficult when we have thousands of thoughts daily. The aim is to reach a level of no thought , no past , no present or future,  where an empty  state of peace is formed. This will take practice and patience ,as  when you start meditation and Qigong attempting to empty the mind of no thought is an art,  but you can reach it and in this state you have the power to direct the Qi round your body.

 

In Qi Gong training it is said to use your mind(Yi) to lead your Qi(Yi Yi Yin Qi) whereby the Qi behaves like water its not pushed its led. If your force it then it does not flow in the right direction. So during your practice wherever your mind goes you can lead your Qi power. So if I want to lift a heavy object I can use my Yi (Mind) which will automatically direct Qi to help me lift it. Its simple but in training its advised to learn how to strengthen your Yi(mind) through calmness and ones you reach this level of calmness your mind will know what it wants and as you concentrate on your intention your Qi naturally follow there. I would say this is also how manifestation works .In the practice of Yi ->Chi ->Li on a low level between mind and body we become clearer on how this works at a macro level throughout our life.  We practice creating what we want in life with intention and allowing the universe to deliver it to us.  Thoughts manifest into reality.

 

I will be posting the initial practices of Qi gong and the goal is to be consistent fit into a daily schedule the mind and overall practice will get easier. One you can understand how to use your Yi(Mind) to lead your Qi to circulate the body you will reach a level of wellness and health we all aim to achieve.

 

An important part of the steps that Buddisns also shared in the form of poetry  ‘secret words’ passed down from hundreds of years of ancient rituals, although difficult to translate I will add them to each practice I post since these act as the root of the practices in Qi Gong.

​

Regulating your Qi is the ultimate goal and for Buddhists who seek enlightenment of the Buddha regulating the shen is their final goal when using qi gong.

 

The Shen (Spirit)

​

For this summary I will not delve too much in all the theory this will come in later sections but for Shen (Spirit) which Buddhism aims to achieve is fighting your spirit. I know the term fighting may come against all forms of Buddhism traditions but its about moral if a soldier has a fighting spirit  then one soldier can equal 10.The spirit is the centre root of a fight and not only will the warriors in this state know what he/she is doing and why but it will raise their spirit, strengthen their will, and increase patience and endurance. Chinese warriors in the many dynasties practiced Qi gong as a form of preparing their mindsets for battle.

 

It is better to conquer yourself than win a thousand battles (Buddha)

​

​

​

​

How Old is Qi Gong ?

​

History of Qi I will not go through but briefly Yi Jing (Book of changes) was presented to the Chinese in 2400BC and further extended until Han Dynasty 206BC a time when Buddhism and meditation came from India. The Lang Dynasty 502 AD used QI gong for martial styles came about and Chinese Qi gong was practiced. Qi Gong practices have been passed down from monasteries and traditional teachers over time I have skipped the many dynasties and adaptations but Qi Gong has been practiced for thousands of years and proved many benefits

​

​

Begin Qi Gong

​

Practicing qigong is so simple and so powerful. You cannot do it wrong. You can only do it good, better or best. (Chunyi Lin)

Qi Gong can be practiced by anyone is low impact and another great form of mindfulness. As we spend more time seated and not enough daily activity Qi gong should be given a chance why not try it .

​

Concentration is key before practicing you are always in an awareness state  - so aim to let go and be present during your practice. Stop wrinkling your forehead and straining and thinking about picking up your dry cleaning be there in the moment before your practice.

Breath as you inhale, extend your abdomen filling it with air and as you exhale expel air out. As your breathing in and out imagine your Qi energy flowing through your body and invite it in and out.

​

More sequence to be posted try this simple 8 Form warm up and follow the guidance on the video once you have followed once through try it with some relaxing music and remember to be present and mindful each movement should be continuous allowing your Qi to flow

 

 Eight-form Moving Meditation─Standing Posture - YouTube

​

​

Qi Gong Music: 

​

Chinese Music For Tai Chi - Chi Sao & Qi Gong - YouTube

Tibetan Meditation Music 24/7, Healing Music, Meditation Music, Spa, Study Music, Sleep, Yoga - YouTube

 

Practice techniques for Qigong  to come soon :

 

5 elements Qi Gong

5 Animal Elements

8 pieces Brocade

Medical Qi Gong

Spiritual Qi Gong

Martial Arts Qigong

​