How Qi Gong Can Improve Your Health and Your Life

There are those individuals who have tried everything conventional medicine has to offer and are now looking for alternative approaches.

Of course, “convention” is determined by factors including culture, perception, and available resources.

In America, conventional medicine is determined by western philosophy which finds its origin in Newtonian physics. In other words, take a pill or have surgery to solve a physical problem. A great way to solve an emergent situation, but not necessarily the best solution for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.

In eastern culture, the philosophy tends to have greater focus on the metaphysical body which impacts the physical health. In other words, the energetics of the body which cannot be seen by the five senses are considered the purveyor of physical health. Therefore the ability to maintain that balance of energy with the body can bring health or disease.

Let’s explore how Qi Gong, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, can re-balance your energy system and restore your vitality.

Introduction: What is Qi Gong?

On a basic level, Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or mindfulness.

Qi Gong uses these techniques to focus on improving the flow of qi (chi), the body’s life force, throughout the body. Increasing the circulation of qi is thought to promote health and well-being.

Qi Gong has many benefits, including improved circulation, better joint mobility, and reduced stress levels. There are many different types of Qi Gong, so it’s important to find one that resonates with you.

Qi Gong is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being because it can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and does not require any special equipment.

How does Qi Gong work?

As previously mentioned, Qi Gong is an ancient practice that focuses on the ability to move qi throughout the body.

Qi is something of a controversy because some scientists say it cannot be tested and therefore believe it cannot exist. Yet other studies seem to reveal it’s presence as well as the benefits of a well-balanced system.

Regardless, the premise of Qi Gong is to rebalance the body’s life force and clear energy blockages that may have been created through emotionally charged life experiences. This is not to say that emotions themselves are to blame for energy blocks. Rather it is how we handle emotions that causes dissonance, especially if we do not allow them to flow.

When people feel joy, love, gratitude, or when people feel anger, jealousy, fear. The body remembers these emotions and they become stuck in certain areas. And if we are not aware of their presence, they may create disharmony.

Much like a friend that comes over. Initially it is wonderful to see them. With time, it becomes late and you want to kick them out of the house so you can clean up and go to bed!

These areas surge with energy at the time of a specific emotion. However if they are not released, they remain in place and impede the natural flow of qi throughout the body.

Qi Gong practice can help to release these blocks and restore vitality to the regions with the greatest amount of stale energy. This practice has been used for centuries to improve health and well-being.

There are many different styles of Qi Gong, but most if not all involve the use of gentle movements, deep breathing, and visualization exercises.

If this still sounds too woo-woo for you, at the very least Qi Gong can induce the relaxation response of the body.

Most of us live hectic and busy lives which keep our “fight-or-flight” response fully active. Over time this destroys our body’s restorative powers and we feel fatigued, prone to infections, and chronically drained.

By activating the “rest and digest” response of the body through Qi Gong, our bodies now have the opportunity to replenish its energy as well as perform routine maintenance. In other words, you would have abundant energy and a strong immune system among other things.

Benefits of Practicing Qi Gong

Qi Gong (or chi kung) is an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle coordinated body movements, deep breathing exercises, and meditation. The goal of Qi Gong is to improve the flow of qi, or life energy, throughout the body.

Circulating energy, or qi, throughout the body has many benefits, including:

– improved circulation

– strengthened immune system

– reduced stress and anxiety

– improved sleep quality

– increased energy and vitality

– better concentration and focus

Anyone can practice Qi Gong, regardless of age or physical ability. It is a wonderful way to improve your overall health and well-being.

Qi Gong can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and doesn’t require any special equipment.

Qi Gong Exercises For Beginners

Qigong exercises can be divided into two categories: static and dynamic.

1. Static Qigong exercises involve holding a certain position for a period of time while focusing on the breath and utilizing a visualization technique. A visualization technique I like to use comes from Master Chunyi Lin.

• Inhale: Master Chunyi Lin encourages his students to visualize the universal light as it enters the body while taking a breath. Seeing the light enter from every part of the body; permeating all cells before finally collecting into a brilliant ball of light just behind the belly button.
• Exhale: He then encourages his students to visualize all the stale and stagnant energy of the body to turn to smoke and shoot outwards to the ends of the universe.

2. Dynamic Qigong exercises involve the movement of arms and legs. However to keep things simple, start with only the arms and hands.

• Place your hands just beneath your belly button. Take your right hand and slowly move it up towards your forehead with your palm facing up. Then have your palm face down as you move your right hand back towards your belly button. This is one cycle. Repeat until comfortable.

• Now practice with just your left hand doing the same motions your right hand had done. Palm facing up until you reach your forehead. Then palm facing down until you reach your belly button. Do as many cycles as necessary to feel comfortable.

• Now you are ready to combine both hands at the same time. They will alternate as though you are pedaling a bicycle with your hands. When your right hand is at the level of your forehead, your left hand will be at the level of your belly button and vice versa. Practice until comfortable.

When practicing these techniques, you may feel tingling in your finger tips. This is thought to be the movement of qi through your body and reaching your finger tips.

Be aware that tingling and numbness of the fingers and hands may also indicate nerve damage and/or compromise of blood flow. So how can you tell the difference? With your Doctor.

At first, you may not be sufficiently in tune with your body to know the difference between the sensation of energy flow versus a real problem. However with guidance from your Doctor and enough practice, you will develop a greater mind-body connection and therefore better awareness.

Conclusion: Benefits of Qi Gong and How You Can Practice It Quickly & Safely at Home

As you can see, Qi Gong need not be complicated. Visualization, simple movements, and a few minutes of time every day are all you need to reap the health benefits of an effective practice.

Start with whichever component is most comfortable to begin with. If you find visualization is easier, start there. If movement is easier, then feel free to begin there.

You can slowly incorporate the other component when you’re ready. Much like mixing ingredients for a delicious and healthy dish.

The important thing is to begin with something simple. Once you establish the habit, it will feed into itself over time.

Have fun and enjoy the time to relax and invest in your health; body and mind.