Qigong
The origins of Qigong are shrouded deep in the depths of time, before man started
keeping records. Earliest estimates suggest that self enhancement and
empowerment practices similar to Qigong date to the time of the ancient Chinese
shamans, prior to 2600 BC, the time of the Yellow Emperor.
While there are many forms of Qigong that have strong roots in sports, mysticism,
and religious philosophy, the practical healing effects of many Qigong practices are
its most popular aspects today. The health benefits of Qigong are the cause of its
rapidly growing popularity in the West, as people realize that disease and stress can
be relieved by the peace of mind brought on by Qigong practice.
Qigong is the oldest of the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM:
Those four pillars are Acupuncture, Massage, Herbal Medicines and Qigong. Of
these, Qigong is the most easily learned and implemented. Although both massage
and herbal remedies can also be implemented as self healing remedies, Qigong is
considered to be the mother of Chinese self-healing. Patients who use Qigong
regularly have been shown to need less medication, less acupuncture and have a
tendency to heal faster.
The word Qigong breaks into Qi (vitality, or life energy) and Gong (which loosely
translates to "requiring skill or cultivation"). Therefore, Qigong roughly translates to
mean "cultivate and refine your life force through continuous and skillful practice."
The Chinese Masters believe and teach that the primary mechanism triggered by the
practice of Qigong is a spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing
resources in the human body. Over many thousands of years, millions of people
have benefited from these practices, believing that improving the function of the Qi
maintains health and heals disease.
In the laboratories of Western science, the practice of Qigong has proven to trigger a
wide array of physiological changes in the body which have profound healing
benefits, such as increasing the delivery of oxygen to cellular tissues, enhancing the
elimination of waste products, and improving the transportation of immune cells
through the lymph system. Qigong, if practiced regularly tends to shift the chemistry
of the brain and the nervous system.
On any morning in the parks throughout China, you will find literally thousands of
people practices Qigong. Some practice individually, quietly among the trees. Others
practice in large groups. Often, one will see a patient, in hospital pajamas, doing a
special form of cancer recovery Qigong - a form of slow and intentful walking. Or, a
group might stand in a circle chatting as they do a simple form based on hand
movements.
Qigong is one of the most powerful self-healing traditions ever developed. It is not
only practiced in China. Many other cultures around the world use the same types of
meditations and movements to improve health. A typical Qigong session consists of
five elements: meditation, cleansing chi, strengthening chi, circulating chi, and
dispersing chi.
Although you can learn much from reading books and buying videos, there are some
aspects of Qigong that can be harmful if practiced incorrectly. If you are going to try
to learn on your own, it is wise to seek at least occasional help from a Qigong master
who can guide you safely through the more advanced and complicated routines.
The origins of Qigong are shrouded deep in the depths of time, before man started
keeping records. Earliest estimates suggest that self enhancement and
empowerment practices similar to Qigong date to the time of the ancient Chinese
shamans, prior to 2600 BC, the time of the Yellow Emperor.
While there are many forms of Qigong that have strong roots in sports, mysticism,
and religious philosophy, the practical healing effects of many Qigong practices are
its most popular aspects today. The health benefits of Qigong are the cause of its
rapidly growing popularity in the West, as people realize that disease and stress can
be relieved by the peace of mind brought on by Qigong practice.
Qigong is the oldest of the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM:
Those four pillars are Acupuncture, Massage, Herbal Medicines and Qigong. Of
these, Qigong is the most easily learned and implemented. Although both massage
and herbal remedies can also be implemented as self healing remedies, Qigong is
considered to be the mother of Chinese self-healing. Patients who use Qigong
regularly have been shown to need less medication, less acupuncture and have a
tendency to heal faster.
The word Qigong breaks into Qi (vitality, or life energy) and Gong (which loosely
translates to "requiring skill or cultivation"). Therefore, Qigong roughly translates to
mean "cultivate and refine your life force through continuous and skillful practice."
The Chinese Masters believe and teach that the primary mechanism triggered by the
practice of Qigong is a spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing
resources in the human body. Over many thousands of years, millions of people
have benefited from these practices, believing that improving the function of the Qi
maintains health and heals disease.
In the laboratories of Western science, the practice of Qigong has proven to trigger a
wide array of physiological changes in the body which have profound healing
benefits, such as increasing the delivery of oxygen to cellular tissues, enhancing the
elimination of waste products, and improving the transportation of immune cells
through the lymph system. Qigong, if practiced regularly tends to shift the chemistry
of the brain and the nervous system.
On any morning in the parks throughout China, you will find literally thousands of
people practices Qigong. Some practice individually, quietly among the trees. Others
practice in large groups. Often, one will see a patient, in hospital pajamas, doing a
special form of cancer recovery Qigong - a form of slow and intentful walking. Or, a
group might stand in a circle chatting as they do a simple form based on hand
movements.
Qigong is one of the most powerful self-healing traditions ever developed. It is not
only practiced in China. Many other cultures around the world use the same types of
meditations and movements to improve health. A typical Qigong session consists of
five elements: meditation, cleansing chi, strengthening chi, circulating chi, and
dispersing chi.
Although you can learn much from reading books and buying videos, there are some
aspects of Qigong that can be harmful if practiced incorrectly. If you are going to try
to learn on your own, it is wise to seek at least occasional help from a Qigong master
who can guide you safely through the more advanced and complicated routines.
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Tai Chi Chuan
(Yang Style)
Tai Chi is an ancient form of martial arts that is more appropriately referred to as
"Meditation in Motion." It consists of a series of slow, gentle movements intended to
unite body and mind, build inner strength, and develop a strong, healthy flow of life
energy, or Chi, within the body. Tai Chi uses little effort, but when performed
correctly it develops tremendous physical strength, as well as exceptional mental
concentration and discipline. Although Tai Chi seems simple, it takes time to learn the
proper movements and their coordination with breathing and thought processes. In
addition to physical and mental requirements, the practitioner's breathing must also
be fully synchronized with the precise movements of the body.
The Chinese believe that a universal life force, or energy, which they refer to as “chi,”
is present in all living creatures, both plant and animal. They also believe that chi
circulates throughout the entire body on specific pathways called meridians, and that
a strong, well-balanced chi flow ensures better health, longer life, and stronger
immunity against illnesses of all types. Blockages of this energy may result in
diminished capacity of the body to fight off disease. Tai Chi helps to create and
encourage the free flow of chi. The soft-flowing movements help people of all ages to
improve their physical condition, increase flexibility, decrease fatigue, and develop
endurance.
Tai Chi may be an effective complementary approach to relief of many symptoms of
the following conditions:
In addition to helping improve the above medical conditions, Tai Chi may also help to
achieve many other healthy benefits, such as:
Tai Chi exercises are done very slowly with smooth, flowing motions. By moving at an
extremely slow pace, your body's normal responses are challenged. You must
continuously reevaluate every movement. This causes you to become more aware of
the body and its capabilities. The flowing motions cause joints to operate more
smoothly, energy blockages to dissolve, and chi to circulate through the body in a
more rapid and efficient manner. Relaxed postures and circular movements
encourage a greater limberness, thus helping to relax muscles. The combination of
turning, stretching, and twisting causes every part of the body to be exercised
through a full range of motion without strain. You are strengthened by the process of
continuous and repeated movements. The slow movements of Tai Chi foster a deep
relaxation of the body, which encourages a meditative state in which the mind is quiet
and clear of distracting thoughts. The ability of Tai Chi to rejuvenate, rather than
exhaust, makes it a valuable alternative in our active and fast-paced society.
Tai Chi classes are usually conducted in small, private groups. Select clothing that
allows free movement. Wear comfortable shoes that provide good foot support and
traction, preferably with leather soles. Beginner classes will teach basic stances and
foot work. The next level will cover proper breathing, relaxation, and coordination of
movement. The final stage will involve learning individual movements, doing them in
continuous sequence.
Expect to let go of the burdens and stresses of your daily routine. Allow yourself to
relax and totally concentrate on the subtle movements of your body and the quiet
intentions of your mind. The slow, gentle movements will foster a meditative state that
will help to clear the mind of distracting thoughts.
For additional information about:
Tai Chi and Lowering Blood Pressure click on Lowering Blood Pressure
(Yang Style)
Tai Chi is an ancient form of martial arts that is more appropriately referred to as
"Meditation in Motion." It consists of a series of slow, gentle movements intended to
unite body and mind, build inner strength, and develop a strong, healthy flow of life
energy, or Chi, within the body. Tai Chi uses little effort, but when performed
correctly it develops tremendous physical strength, as well as exceptional mental
concentration and discipline. Although Tai Chi seems simple, it takes time to learn the
proper movements and their coordination with breathing and thought processes. In
addition to physical and mental requirements, the practitioner's breathing must also
be fully synchronized with the precise movements of the body.
The Chinese believe that a universal life force, or energy, which they refer to as “chi,”
is present in all living creatures, both plant and animal. They also believe that chi
circulates throughout the entire body on specific pathways called meridians, and that
a strong, well-balanced chi flow ensures better health, longer life, and stronger
immunity against illnesses of all types. Blockages of this energy may result in
diminished capacity of the body to fight off disease. Tai Chi helps to create and
encourage the free flow of chi. The soft-flowing movements help people of all ages to
improve their physical condition, increase flexibility, decrease fatigue, and develop
endurance.
Tai Chi may be an effective complementary approach to relief of many symptoms of
the following conditions:
In addition to helping improve the above medical conditions, Tai Chi may also help to
achieve many other healthy benefits, such as:
Tai Chi exercises are done very slowly with smooth, flowing motions. By moving at an
extremely slow pace, your body's normal responses are challenged. You must
continuously reevaluate every movement. This causes you to become more aware of
the body and its capabilities. The flowing motions cause joints to operate more
smoothly, energy blockages to dissolve, and chi to circulate through the body in a
more rapid and efficient manner. Relaxed postures and circular movements
encourage a greater limberness, thus helping to relax muscles. The combination of
turning, stretching, and twisting causes every part of the body to be exercised
through a full range of motion without strain. You are strengthened by the process of
continuous and repeated movements. The slow movements of Tai Chi foster a deep
relaxation of the body, which encourages a meditative state in which the mind is quiet
and clear of distracting thoughts. The ability of Tai Chi to rejuvenate, rather than
exhaust, makes it a valuable alternative in our active and fast-paced society.
Tai Chi classes are usually conducted in small, private groups. Select clothing that
allows free movement. Wear comfortable shoes that provide good foot support and
traction, preferably with leather soles. Beginner classes will teach basic stances and
foot work. The next level will cover proper breathing, relaxation, and coordination of
movement. The final stage will involve learning individual movements, doing them in
continuous sequence.
Expect to let go of the burdens and stresses of your daily routine. Allow yourself to
relax and totally concentrate on the subtle movements of your body and the quiet
intentions of your mind. The slow, gentle movements will foster a meditative state that
will help to clear the mind of distracting thoughts.
For additional information about:
Tai Chi and Lowering Blood Pressure click on Lowering Blood Pressure
| Michael Powers Body Work Qigong/Tai Chi |
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