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QIGONG
World Qigong Tai Chi Day in Barbados Qi (氣)is defined as the energy of the universe, and Gong means hard work or study. Therefore, Qigong means "the Study of Natural Energy." In the western science, it has identified as a bioelectric potential in the body, which could be one of the primary aspects of Qi energy. This "bioelectricity" is recognized by ANNU Institute as an important area of Qigong study and research. The Qigong classes offered at ANNU study Qi in relation to health, longevity, and martial arts. Qigong, chi kung, or chi gung (气功 or 氣功) (pronounced "chee-gung") is a practice of coordinating breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation to balance the energy. With roots in medicine, martial arts, and philosophy, qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to balance qi (chi) or what has been translated as "intrinsic life energy."Typically a qigong practice involves rhythmic breathing, coordinated with slow stylized repetition of fluid movement, and a calm mindful state. From a philosophical perspective, qigong is believed to help develop human potential, allow access to higher realms of awareness, and awaken one's "true nature." Taiji Qigong (太極氣功) . Taiji Qigong is designed to help the beginner to feel and understand Qi, and also to learn how to use the concentrated mind to lead the Qi so that it can circulate smoothly. Practicing Taiji Qigong exercises can significantly improve one's health. In addition, Taiji Qigong is the key which helps the Taiji practitioner learn how to use the Yi (i.e., wisdom mind) to lead the Qi to energize the physical body for maximum efficiency. Etymology Qigong (Pinyin), ch'i kung (Wade-Giles), and chi gung (Yale) are English words for two Chinese characters: q́ (氣) and gōng (功). Qi (or chi) is usually translated as life energy, life-force, or energy flow, and definitions often involve breath, air, gas, or relationship between matter, energy, and spirit. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Gong (or kung) is often translated as work or practice, and definitions include skill, mastery, merit, achievement, service, result, or accomplishment. (see online Chinese language tools) The two words are combined to describe systems to cultivate and balance life energy, especially for health. History Qigong history With roots in ancient Chinese culture dating back more than 4,000 years, a wide variety of qigong forms have developed within different segments of Chinese society: in traditional Chinese medicine for preventive and curative functions, in Confucianism to promote longevity and improve moral character, in Taoism and Buddhism as part of meditative practice, and in Chinese martial arts to enhance fighting abilities. Traditionally, knowledge about qigong was passed from adept master to student in elite unbroken lineages, typically with secretive and esoteric traditions of training and oral-mind transmission. In the period of the Three Kingdoms (220 to 265 AD) there was a physician Hua-tu'o who relied not only on medicine but also taught the 'movements of the five creatures' -- tiger, deer, bear, ape and birds -- a system he called Wu-chi chih hsi. He believed that the body needed to be regularly exercised to help with digestion and circulation and only by doing so could a long and healthy live be achieved. He advocated a system of imitating the movements of these animals to help exercise every joint in the body. His teaching, and its connection with the movements of animals is probably the earliest pre-cursor of Taijiquan. In the sixth century A.D. Bodihdharma (called Ta Mo in China) came to the Shao-Lin Monastery and seeing that the monks there were in poor physical condition from too much meditation and not enough movement, his Eighteen Form Lohan Exercise. Over time these grew to be the precursors of the Wei Chia (outer-extrinsic) school of exercise, by which is meant all the schools of kung-fu and other martial art forms which take an 'external' approach. This is in contrast to the Nei Chia (internal-intrinsic) school of which Tai Chi is a member, that take a fundamentally 'internal' approach. In the eighth century AD (the Tang dynasty) philosophers like Hsu Hsuan- p'ing developed a 'Long Kung-fu' of 37 forms. Still survive in the contemporary Taijiquan form. There were several other such forms being practiced in the eighth century (Heavenly-Inborn Style, Nine Small Heavens Style and Acquired Kung-fu) from which grew the origins of Taijiquan. Training methods Qigong is not just a set of breathing exercises, but rather comprises a large variety of physical and mental training methods based on Chinese philosophy. While implementation details vary, all qigong forms can be characterized as a mix of four types of training: dynamic, static, meditative, and activities requiring external aids. Dynamic training involves fluid movement, usually carefully choreographed, coordinated with breath and awareness. Examples include the slow stylized movements of T'ai chi ch'uan, Baguazhang, and Xing yi. Other examples include graceful movement that mimics the motion of animals in Five Animals, White Crane, and Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong. Static training involves holding postures for sustained periods of time. In some cases this bears resemblance to the practice of Yoga and its continuation in the Buddhist tradition. For example Yiquan, a Chinese martial art derived from xingyiquan, emphasizes static stance training. In another example, the healing form Eight Pieces of Brocade (Baduanjin qigong) is based on a series of static postures. Meditative training utilizes breath awareness, visualization, mantra, and focus on philosophical concepts such as qi circulation. For example, in the Confucius scholar tradition meditation is focused on humanity and virtue, with the aim of self-enlightenment. In various Buddhist traditions, the aim is to still the mind, either through outward focus, for example on a place, or through inward focus on the breath, a mantra, a koan, emptiness, or the idea of the eternal. In Taoist and traditional Chinese medicine practice, the meditative focus is on cultivating qi in dantian energy centers and balancing qi flow in meridian pathways. Use of external agents: Many systems of qigong training include the use of external agents such as ingestion of herbs, massage, physical manipulation, or interaction with other living organisms. For example, specialized food and drinks are used in some medical and Taoist forms, whereas massage and body manipulation are sometimes used in martial arts forms. In some medical systems a qigong master uses non-contact treatment, purportedly guiding qi through his or her own body into the body of another person. T'ai chi ch'uan vs qigong Tai chi is performed slowly for health, meditation, and martial arts training, and quickly for self defense. Practice consists of a sequence of movements that emphasize fluid motion, an erect spine, abdominal breathing, natural range of motion over the center of gravity, calm focus, and attention to philosophy and aesthetics. Tai chi can be practiced individually or as "pushing hands" with a partner. Health As a form of gentle exercise, qigong is composed of movements that are typically repeated, strengthening and stretching the body, increasing fluid movement (blood, synovial, and lymph), enhancing balance and proprioception, and building awareness of how the body moves through space. In recent years a large number of books and videos have been published that focus primarily on qigong as exercise and associated health benefits. As a healing art, qigong practitioners focus on prevention and self-healing, traditionally viewed as balancing the body's energy meridians and enhancing the intrinsic capacity of the body to heal. Qigong has been used extensively in China as part of traditional Chinese medicine, and is included in the curriculum of Chinese Universities. Throughout the world qigong is now recognized as a form of complementary and alternative medicine, with positive effects on diverse ailments. In 2003, the Chinese Health Qigong Association, a member of the All-China Sports Federation, officially recognized four classical health qigong exercises that the ANNU Institute teaches. They include: 1. Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Ý Jīn Jīng 易筋经), 2. Five Animals (Wu Qin Xi 五禽戲), 3. Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue 六字訣) 4. Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin 段锦气功)
Meditation and self-cultivation Qigong is practiced for meditation and self-cultivation as part of various philosophical and spiritual traditions. As meditation, qigong is a means to still the mind and enter a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity, and bliss. Many practitioners find qigong, with its gentle focused movement, to be more accessible than seated meditation. 1. Qigong for self-cultivation can be classified in terms of traditional Chinese philosophy: 2. Confucianism: Qigong provides a means to become a Junzi (君子) through awareness of morality. 3. Taoism: Qigong provides a way to achieve longevity and spiritual enlightenment. 4. Buddhism: Qigong is part of a spiritual path that leads to spiritual enlightenment or Buddhahood. 5. Martial arts training The practice of qigong is an important component in Chinese martial arts. Focus on qi is considered to be a source of power as well as the foundation of the internal style of martial arts (Neijia). T'ai chi ch'uan, Xing yi, and Baguazhang are representative of the types of Chinese martial arts that rely on the concept of qi as the foundation. Extraordinary feats of martial arts prowess, such as the ability to withstand heavy strikes (Iron Shirt, 鐵衫) and the ability to break hard objects (Iron Palm, 铁掌) are abilities attributed to qigong training.
Theory : Traditional view Traditionally, the central focus of qigong practice is to cultivate and balance qi as it affects mind (心), body (身), and spirit (靈). In Chinese philosophy, the concept of qi as a form of pervasive life energy includes original qi that a person has at birth, and qi a person acquires from air, water, food, sunlight, and interaction with the environment. A person is believed to become ill or die when qi becomes diminished or unbalanced. Health is believed to be returned by rebuilding qi, eliminating qi blockages, and correcting qi imbalances. Traditional Chinese medicine Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on tracing and correcting underlying disharmony, in terms of deficiency and excess, complementary and opposing forces of yin and yang, and balanced flow of qi. Qi is believed to be cultivated and stored in three main dantian energy centers and to travel through the body along twelve main meridians, with numerous smaller branches and tributaries. The main meridians correspond to twelve main organs (Zàng fǔ). Qi is balanced in terms of yin and yang in the context of the traditional system of Five Phases (Wu xing 五行).These traditional concepts do not translate readily to modern science and medicine.
Principles Whether viewed from the perspective of exercise, health, philosophy, or martial arts training, several main principles emerge concerning the practice of qigong: Intentional movement: careful, flowing balanced style Rhythmic breathing: slow, deep, coordinated with fluid movement Awareness: calm, focused meditative state Visualization: of qi flow, philosophical tenets, aesthetics Additional principles: Softness: soft gaze, expressionless face Solid Stance: firm footing, erect spine Relaxation: relaxed muscles, slightly bent joints Balance and Counterbalance: motion over the center of gravity Advanced goals: Equanimity: more fluid, more relaxed Tranquility: empty mind, high awareness Stillness: smaller and smaller movements, eventually to complete stillness The most advanced practice is generally considered to be with little or no motion. |
