The 5 Steps to Success With Qigong
Qigong (pronounced as Chi Kung) is an art that helps you to channel the energies of life related to the processes of revitalizing, healing, and strengthening. This spiritual healing system not only provides spiritual guidance but also smoothes the progress of the movement of life energy (Qi called chi) through your body.
There are innumerable benefits attached with this art of healing, which not only ensure you of a healthy mind but also of a healthy body. The combination of a healthy mind and healthy body is the only mantra for success. Hence, it is in fact quite easy to achieve success with the help of Qigong.
Here are five steps that can show you the path to success:
1. Success begins with self-development. This is the primary principle of Qigong. The first thing Qigong teaches is that with the smooth flow of Qi come happiness, health, and well-being. The three important ingredients required to be able to move ahead on the path of success. Any kind of hindrance in the flow of Qi leads to distress, disease, and conflicts; thus, blocking your path to success. Qigong focuses on the thorough improvement of your mind and body.
2. Be stress-free. For a person to be successful, it is important to be stress free, and to remain so, one should be able to handle physical, emotional, and psychological strains. Qigong helps you to empower all the three. It helps you to train your mind and body to overcome all kinds of stress modes and provides you with active relaxation. A relaxed state of mind undoubtedly helps you to think better as well as act better. Qigong improves your skills and the exercises involved in the practice are so gentle that they cannot harm you in any possible way.
3. Maintain a healthy body. As the scholars say, “a healthy mind resides in a healthy body.” Qigong eliminates the unhealthy aspects of your body and even provides you with better digestion. It even releases you from ailments such as heartburn, constipation, and kidney problems. Qigong helps to keep your entire body flexible and juvenile. You can feel the boost of energy, which will be rewarding in all aspects of your daily life.
4. Gain confidence. For being successful, you require “confidence,” and with Qigong, you will not find it difficult to become confident in life. The practice imparts you with a calm and steady nervous system, which makes you more alert, practical, and sharp. The best time for practicing Qigong is the early morning. Just try and see the success simply pouring in from all sides! You will find yourself doing the daily errands with better forethought. Qigong also improves your ability to focus on important issues. It even improves the power of coordination and concentration.
5. Look good. Last but not the least comes your physical appearance. Qigong improves your posture and makes your movements more graceful than ever. Forget about that clumsy and awkward appearance of yours and rediscover the enthusiasm within yourself. Qigong increases your speed, stamina, and flexibility.
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The different levels of Qigong
There are various types of qigong which serve different needs. However, what you may not know is that there are also different levels of attainment within the same type of qigong.
Form, Energy and Mind
Most people in the world today, including qigong practitioners, are not aware of the operational level at which one can practice qigong.
Even though there are thousands of qigong exercises, they all without exception involve three elements. These are: form, energy and mind. These are also known as the “three treasures” of a person. This is because every human has form, energy and mind. In qigong training you develop all three of these elements. Or at least you will if the training is done correctly.
Most qigong practitioners today (including in China) practice only the form aspect of the art, which means that the energy and the mind aspects are neglected. Form here, means the visible aspect – the physical movements.
Qigong is energy training, which means that when it is practiced at the form level only, it is no longer energy training. Therefore, it is no longer qigong at all.
As a physical exercise, it would give you less benefits than most conventional exercises like swimming and cycling.
For convenience, in our school we call this type of training Low Level Qigong.
High, Middle, and Low
As I said, qigong means energy training, so at the very least the practice should involve energy work.
When the energy aspect is involved and directly worked on, the health benefits will be superior to typical physical exercise, as the practitioner will be making a purposeful effort to influence his or her energy flow to clear energy blockages and increase energy levels.
In our school, we refer to this type as Middle Level Qigong.
Only when the mind is involved, can we have High Level Qigong.
By entering in to a heightened state of consciousness, which is known as a “Chi Kung State of Mind”, the practitioner tap energy from the “cosmos” (above and around) and direct it where ever he or she chooses.
It is remarkable to see a simple movement being performed at the various levels. The movements are the same, but the results vary dramatically.
About the author:
Jordan Francis is an instructor for the Shaolin Wahnam Institute, and is personally guided and supervised by 4th Generation Shaolin Grandmaster – Wong Kiew Kit – who is one of the Worlds leading authorities, a best selling Author and teacher to literally thousands of students World Wide. You can learn more at Jordan’s web site http://www.cosmosarts.com where you’ll also be able to download a free guide to qigong.
What is QiGong and Chinese Medicine?
Qigong is a branch of Chinese medicine or treatment, that has been in use for thousands of years but is most associated with post-Mao China at the start of the cultural revolution.
The ‘qi’ in ‘qigong’ means breath or gas in Chinese, and, by extension, ‘life force’, ‘energy’ or even ‘cosmic breath’. ‘Gong’ means work applied to a discipline or the resultant level of skill, so ‘qigong’ is thus ‘breath work’ or ‘energy work’.
Some people view Qigong as a set of movement & breathing exercises, resulting in healthful benefits through stress reduction & exercise. Others view it in more ‘metaphysical’ terms, claiming that cosmic qi can be drawn into the body and circulated through channels or meridians.
Millions of people today both in China and around the world regularly practice qigong as a health maintenance exercise. Chinese hospitals have officially recognized qigong as a medical technique since 1989.
The Chinese government decided (after many years of debate) to officially manage qigong through government regulation in 1996, and they also listed it as part of their National Health Plan.
Qigong can help with stress management for it’s practitioners, through diaphragmatic breathing, which is an important component of the relaxation response. Taoist qigong, in contrast, employs the inverse breath of inhaling to the back of the thoracic cavity, rather than diaphragmatic breathing. It has been stated that diaphragmatic breathing may lead to reproductive pathologies for women.
It has been suggested by Yan Xin, who practices both Western & Chinese medicine, that for qigong to be accepted fully by the modern world, it must pass scientific study testing. He and others began systematic study of qigong in the mid 1980s in research institutions both in China and the United States. To date, more than 20 studies have been published.
There is agreement by both Chinese and Western medicine practitioners that qigong can maintain health and improve health also, by encouraging movement, improving joint flexibility and resilience, and increasing the range of motion of practitioners.
Kelly Lake is a frequent writer on issues affecting alternative medicine, holistic approaches to health care and well being. Most of Kelly’s work can be seen at Chicago Healers. Chicago Healers main mission is helping people find just the right holistic practitioner in the Chicago land area.
QIGONG TYPES
Qigong originated in China and has now spread all over the world. Some practices tend to retain their original guidance. Others have been combined with local cultures and practices, and have evolved into new forms. This is why there are many different forms of Qigong in the world today. New forms of Qigong-like practice are being announced quite often.
All Qigong forms are based on one or some combination of five main roots: Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Martial Art, and Chinese Medicine. No matter what a Qigong practice is called, it is grounded in the guiding principles of the five main roots. Although practices can be widely different, the highest principle is always the same – ‘Be Natural’.
In the Qigong field, there are two kind of practices: Qigong treatment by Qigong masters and healers, and Qigong self-healing.
To be a Qigong master or healer, one should be a Qigong practitioner with a vast accumulation of experience and increased Gong level. Most Qigong practitioners of this level will have some ability to help others to heal by performing Qigong treatments.
This e-book focuses on learning to self-heal. To me, the most reliable way to have and keep good health is to be in control of yourself, instead of relying on treatment by others. If you are interested in treating others, you have to help yourself first in order to be able to help others. (for a Free Qigong eBook, click here)
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Improve Anxiety, ADD and Boost Your Brain Power With Qi Gong
Did you know that qi gong is a powerful tool for increasing circulation to the brain and changing brain chemistry to reduce states of anxiety or challenges with attention?
Researchers at the University of CA at Irvine found that when subjects with attention deficit disorder received qi emissions by a qi gong master, the subjects brain scans following qi emission showed a higher perfusion of blood to certain brain regions compared to scans prior to qi emission.
When blood circulation to the brain increases, increased attention and mental clarity occur, along with less atrophy of brain tissue.
Yet, you don’t have to work with a qi gong master to gain benefits. Simply engaging in a regular practice of qi gong movements and meditations can also positively impact your attention levels and protect the brain against premature aging.
Qi Gong also increases alpha brain waves (associated with deep states of relaxation and also with focused concentration as in the states of meditation) and activates the visual cortex and thamalus in away that can reduce anxiety levels.
Researchers reported in “The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” (October 1, 2007, 13(8): 831-840) that because of “its potential therapeutic effects, that qigong can be considered as an alternative therapy to help meet the increasing demand of nonpharmacologic modalities in achieving biopsychosocial health for those suffering from anxiety in the general population.”
The gentle flowing movements of qi gong also helps the brain by challenging coordination between movements and breath work which nourishes the neurological system to reduce dementia in elderly people.
Thus, qi gong and tai chi are often used as therapies to prevent neurological atrophy and challenge the brain to stay vibrant and healthy throughout all phases of our lives.
In my practice, I use qi gong as a clinical tool to help children and adults with sensory processing disorders, learning challenges, autism, ADD, and anxiety improve the way they engage and process the world.
Contact Kay Hutchinson, CAMQ, CAMT today for customized qi gong strategies and deep healing.
http://www.aikihealing.com
Kay Hutchinson is a practitioner of Chinese medicine, energetic life coach and teacher of qi gong movement. She is the founder of Aiki Healing, a private practice in Austin, Texas, and the publisher of “Health Prosperity” a blog dedicated to empowering people to manifest optimum health and wellness.
Post your health questions free on our Health Prosperity Blog.
http://www.aikihealing.com
The movements of qi!
Healing with Han Yang Ru Yi Gong.
A COMPLETE qigong system consists of Tong Gong and Jian Gong – it means movement and stillness/meditation exercises. Each of this type of exercise contributes towards the generation of yang and yin, resulting in the overall balance of yin and yang to achieve health.
Tong Gong movement exercises requires the practitioners to follow a specific set of movements . This activates the qi flow and lets the qi lead your body movements. This type of exercise generates more yang energy. It also helps to tone the physical body.
Jian Gong stillness/meditation exercises require the practitioner to practise in a sitting, standing or lying position. This type of exercise generates more yin energy. The internal qi flow is stronger than Tong Gong if practised correctly.
Don’t rush to get immediate results by taking short cuts. A proper foundation is important for future benefits. In traditional qigong terms, one should first achieve stillness within movements, than progress to movements within stillness and ultimately qi follows thoughts.
Stillness within movements
This is the first target that beginners should try to achieve. Attention must be in the building-up of qi in the lower Dan Tian, followed by clearing of the inner orbit and the 12 primary meridians. Once all this is achieved, the vibratory qi flow will manifest out as gentle, graceful movements.
However, within this movement, the constant generation and flow of qi from the lower Dan Tian is referred to as stillness, thus, stillness within movements.
Movement within stillness
The next target to achieve is to ensure a strong flow of qi along the inner orbit and 12 primary meridians even if externally the body is still. This is referred to as movement within stillness.
Qi follows thoughts
The mind is the control centre of our qi flow. Therefore, emotions, stress and so on can affect our flow and lead to ill health. A qigong practitioner’s ultimate objective is to be able to become the master of qi. Your thoughts can lead the qi to flow to whichever part of the body. It is instant €“ once you think about any part of your body, the qi will be there. This is referred to as qi follows thoughts.
Han Yang Ru Yi Gong
The usual training method for the above is through regular practice of Tong Gong movement exercises and Jian Gong stillness/meditation exercises.
In my years of training in various form of qigong under different Grand Masters, I discovered a unique form of qigong, the Han Yang Ru Yi Gong. This art is founded by Grand Master Shao Xing Xuan, a professional qigong doctor from China.
The uniqueness of Han Yang is the emphasis in “Achieve Stillness with Movement; Develop Yin within Yang”. In the normal case, the movement type of qigong is generating more yang while the still type of qigong (like meditation) is generating more yin. Therefore, practitioners usually practise both to enhance both yang and yin.
However, Han Yang Ru Yi is able to enhance both yang and yin within the exercise.
The purpose of Han Yang Ru Yi Gong is to enhance both the yin and yang qi in the body and deal with the qi flow in the body.
It activates internal qi, enhances internal qi, gathers external qi, circulates qi in all the meridians, flushes stagnant qi and stores qi in the lower Dan Tian.
> Master Tan Soo Kong is the founder of Wellness Medical Qigong (WMQ). For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my.
Qi Gong-Healing fundamentals
In qigong healing, the body is perceived to consist of the physical and invisible body. In the invisible body, also known as the qi body, we believe there are three layers of qi bodies, namely internal qi, protective qi and external qi. These are also termed by some as the physical, emotional and spiritual aura fields. Any imbalance of qi flow at any of this levels will cause sickness.
Is qi or energy scientifically proven? There has been much research conducted in this field. Interestingly, scientists discovered some important and interesting facts related to qi:
1. The energy body has many energy channels through which qi flows. These energy channels are located at similar “routes” to the meridians.
2. The energy body has several energy centres that absorb, digest, and distribute qi and are responsible for the proper functioning of the whole body. These are located at a similar location to the Dan Tians and Chakras.
3. Some energy centres are related to psychic centres and emotions.
4. Qi can be activated internally and obtained from the environment through sunlight, air, and trees.
5. The visible physical body and its energy body are so closely interrelated that what affects one also affects the other.
6. A strong protective qi field acts as a protective shield against germs and infection.
7. Sicknesses in the physical body often starts from the energy body.
8. Medical qigong treatment is to heal the energy body, leading to the healing of the physical body.
There are many qigong systems and techniques. They use similar key principles to achieve the healthy flow and balancing of Yin and Yang. The key techniques in qigong practice are as below:
·Various qigong breathing methods to stimulate different types of qi flow.
·Special movements to stimulate the flow of qi to different parts of the body.
·Using special sound vibrations to stimulate and enhance the organs.
·Visualisation to achieve calmness of mind and nervous system.
Yin and Yang in the body
Yin and Yang in the body
The Yin and Yang theory is based on the idea that all phenomena are the product of and influenced by the interaction between nature’s two polar tendencies. This polarisation is reflected in our daily lives, for example, by the union of man and woman; the mechanics of electricity; the merging of day and night.
Yin and Yang are complementary opposites and describe the process of change in the relative world. Below are some examples:
·Mind (Yin) and physical body (Yang)
·Acid (Yin) and alkaline (Yang)
·Blood flow to the heart (Yin) and from the heart (Yang)
·Solid organs (Yin) and hollow organs (Yang)
·Cold (Yin) and hot (Yang)
An example of Yin and Yang dynamics is the pH level (relative acidity or alkalinity) of the body. By changing breathing patterns, the lungs immediately compensate for a change in pH. Deeper breaths blow off carbon dioxide. This creates less carbonic acid in the buffer system. By simply breathing more deeply, the body becomes more alkaline. By the same token, shallow breathing allows carbon dioxide to accumulate, leading to a more acidic environment.
From the Western medical perspective, the body consists of 14 major systems. In anatomical and physiological terms, there are muscular, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, immune, reproductive, endocrine systems and so on. In general, the body is in homeostasis when its needs are being met and its functions are occurring smoothly.
Virtually every organ system plays a role in maintaining the constancy of the healthy internal environment. Communication within the body is essential for homeostasis, and this is accomplished primarily by the nervous and endocrine systems.
