Plus, anyone can do it. It is for any age and any level of physical conditioning. Just about anyone can get good results from its practice. Even those who are confined to a wheelchair or even a bed can practice some of its movements. As with many Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches, the benefits are far too many to list in a short article like this. But some of the major benefits you can expect include:. Are you intrigued yet? Then join us on March 22, for our annual Spring Equinox Celebration.
Meditation and qigong instruction will pe part of this event. No previous experience in either is necessary, and the evening is open to all! Register by March 14th — click on the title for further details and registration information. Self-massage developed as a means of self-treatment and as warm-up exercises for meditation and qi gong practice, while professional massage therapists were still consulted when treatment was required. Massage techniques became an integral part of qi gong practice early on.
Self-massage warms the body, which stimulates the flow of blood and body fluids. Any qi gong practice that follows is said to be more powerful after circulation has been stimulated in this manner.
The physical stimulation of massage will also help the practitioner to feel, and ultimately guide, the qi flow in the body. When you begin a qi gong practice, you start by visualizing the movement of qi until you can feel the flow of qi in your body.
Once you can feel the flow of qi , you can then guide it. Thus, massage is a key technique to enhance and accelerate your ability to cultivate and circulate your energy.
Likewise, self-massage techniques can loosen tight or stiff muscles that arise from our mostly sedentary lifestyle. If you do not rub or stretch these areas before qi gong exercises, you run the risk of injuring yourself. Self-massage is also one of the best "quick pick me up" techniques out there. An exercise I like to do when I am feeling worn out or tired is called "Washing the Face. It corresponds to the Greek "pneuma," the Sanskrit "prana," or the Western medical conception of "bioelectricity.
Gong means "work" or "effort" and is the commitment an individual puts into any practice or skill that requires time, patience, and repetition to perfect. Through study, the individual aims to develop the ability to manipulate Qi in order to promote self-healing, prevent disease, and increase longevity.
According to the traditional teachings of Qigong, beginners first learn physical movements coordinated with breathing techniques. They practice sets of exercises similar to Tai Chi until each movement or posture is perfected. Once they learn the form, the next step is to find the subtle flow or fluctuation of energy within the postures, movements, breathing patterns, and transitions. This is called moving meditation. Among the exercises, there are many postures that are held for long periods of time.
These postures are somewhat similar to those of yoga. They are practiced to strengthen the limbs and increase energetic flow. These postures fall into the category of still meditation. Sitting meditation focuses on becoming more acquainted with the breath, body, and mind. Moving, still, and sitting meditations can all be practiced with or without visualization. Visualization enhances the scope of practice by allowing the practitioner to guide the energy in accordance with the visualization.
Qigong uses combinations of these practices in an effort to promote health and improve digestion ; boost the immune system; and relieve headaches , sinus congestion, aches and pain , and stress - to name a few.
Generally, all Qigong practitioners incorporate exercises and techniques from all three categories--the only difference is their focus. This is the most popular of the three categories. It is the oldest of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the energetic foundation from which acupuncture , herbal medicine , and Chinese massage tui na originated. Thus Qigong shares the foundational theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses similar diagnostic and treatment methods.
This type of Qigong focuses on physical prowess. Martial Qigong practitioners can break bricks, bend steel wires, place sharp objects in vulnerable parts of the body without damaging the skin, or sustain physical impact from baseball bats. Martial Qigong practitioners can demonstrate physical feats considered impossible by modern science. This type of qigong uses mantras, mudras hand positions , sitting meditations, and prayers to pursue enlightenment.
These techniques are heavily influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Spiritual Qigong teaches discipline and leads to self-awareness, tranquility, and harmony with nature and self.
Spiritual practitioners train their Qi to a much deeper level, working with many internal functions of the body. They practice to obtain control of their body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of escaping from the cycle of reincarnation. Qigong healers practice the same foundational techniques as everyone else, but they have practiced so much that they understand every move, breath, and thought behind the techniques.
Through effort "gong" , Qigong healers have gained a deeper understanding of the exercises and aimed this effort toward learning how to control Qi. Qigong practitioners believe that those who have the ability to control Qi can emit Qi to heal others. This can be done in many ways depending on the healer:. Practitioners believe that to effectively emit Qi to help heal others, Qigong healers need to maintain their personal health.
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