Qigong is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM practice for working with one’s life energy. The practice combines breathing, movement and meditation to help cultivate qi (vital energy) in the body.
The practice of qigong is estimated to be over five thousand years old and was practiced by China’s emperors and wealthy elites to protect themselves from illness and diseases and to satisfy their yearning for youth and immortality. Knowledge of this precious practice was passed down in secrecy from master to student throughout the centuries evolving into modern-day qigong techniques and philosophies. It is practiced world-wide by millions of people of different ages and nationalities for general health maintenance and in some cases for specific health conditions. The simplicity of qigong movements and their low impact make it suitable for the elderly and people with injuries and disabilities.
The body’s inherent ability to maintain and restore health is an important principles of qigong. Since the body is like a machine and all its parts must work together in harmony, qi (the vital energy that sustains it) must be regulated and in constant circulation for life to be prolonged and sustain health. When the body is stressed and balance disrupted, illness can arise causing stagnation and or deficiency of qi at many levels. The daily practice of qigong facilitates the clearing of blockages and revitalization of qi and therefore helps practitioners feel younger and more energetic. It helps them relax and recover more quickly from fatigue.
Another important principle is the qigong practice of warming and stimulating the dan tian. According to TCM, dan tian which is located in the area below the umbilicus means the sea of qi and is the reservoir that stores the qi of life. Using certain qigong techniques involving the mind, eyes, heart and voice, this qi can warm the kidneys causing the kidneys' water to rise up the back and into the crown of the head. It then passes over the forehead and down towards the digestive system and thereby help recovery and strengthen immunity. Since kidneys are the foundation for the well-being of the whole body, its vital qi and essence sustains the qi of other organs.
Strengthening kidney qi is essential to health and longevity because the kidneys are the foundation of life in TCM. Kidney qi deficiency often results in poor health such as feeling under the weather, hunger, irregular bowel function, frequent urination, cold in the extremities and pain in the back and knees. Those with kidney qi deficiency often feel unwell mostly in the evening hours, lack motivation and feel restless even when sitting. They might also feel sick between 5 - 7pm. They might not want to improve their quality of life and tire easily, but be restless when sitting. Kidney qi deficiency is a risk factor for infertility and chronic diseases as well as premature aging.
.There are many pathologies and symptoms arising from qi disharmony that can be alleviated with the help of qigong. For example, heart qi deficiency and/or disruption to the harmonious interaction of the kidney and heart can lead to symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, numbness and chest pains. Poor spleen and stomach qi function and/or deficiency can cause indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and anorexia.
Physical, mental and emotional stress, a major etiology of many chronic conditions, has a significant negative influence on qi movement, specifically liver qi. Disruption to liver qi can result in irritability, anger, manic behavior, acne, bitterness in the mouth, frequent sighing, doubts and worry, panic attacks and vomiting. Liver qi stagnation can cause symptoms of depression, menstrual disorders, hyperplasia of glands, inflammation.
Poor circulation and regulation of qi can disrupt appetite leading some to excessive hunger and lack of satiety causing weight gain. Through the practice of qigong, qi is able to move more freely and facilitate healthy endocrine function by using up energy stored in adipose tissue. Correctly circulating qi can also alleviate pain due to qi blockage, tightness of muscles and poorly nourished tendons. Many tend to ignore small nagging pains in the joints and limbs until the pain becomes unbearable. The daily practice of qigong encourages healing to these damage to these damaged tissues and cells.
At the start of qigong practice, it is often difficult to find, feel and direct qi to the areas that most need it. However, with daily practice, the qi will find its way to way it is most needed, providing healing, nourishing, moistening and revitalization to every part of the body. Its action is subtle but most effective.
We welcome you to our taiji qigong world. It is a fantastic world of healing with the potential to help you know yourself better, keep illness at bay and maintain youthfulness to enjoy life to the fullest.
