Qi
Gong Class
Qi Gong (pronounced chee
gong) is a Chinese system of physical training, philosophy, and
preventive and therapeutic health care. Qi (or chi) means air, breath
of life or vital essence. Gong means work, self-discipline, achievement
or mastery. This art combines aerobic conditioning, isometrics,
isotonics, meditation, and relaxation. Qi Gong is thus a soft form of a
related set of disciplines that includes Taiji (Tai Chi Quan) and the
hard form of Kung Fu. Qi Gong is the cultivation and deliberate control
of a higher form of vital or source energy. Qi Gong can help one fight
virtually any disease. Qi Gong helps people prevent the onset of
diseases. This can save money and prevent suffering. Qi Gong increases
strength, improves resistance to infectious diseases and helps assure a
long life. Qi Gong offers individuals a way to achieve a relaxed,
harmonious state of dynamic equilibrium.
History of Qi Gong
Rooted in 8000 years of
history, Qi Gong originated as a form of healing oneself, mentally,
physically and spiritually. Qi Gong is a discipline whose practice
allows us to gain control over the life force that courses throughout
our bodies. There are more than 3,000 varieties of qigong, and five
major qigong traditions: the Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, martial arts,
and medical.
Medical Qi Gong involves breathing exercises combined with meditation.
The breathing exercises help induce the state of meditation, and vice
versa. One is aware of what is going on, but not too aware, fully
relaxed but not in a trance. Through qigong, patients can cure many of
the 50% of all diseases that Western doctors dismiss as untreatably
'psychosomatic.'
Benefits of Qi Gong
Practice
If you try Qi Gong to
treat an existing illness, do so if possible under the guidance of a
licensed Chinese medical doctor. Don't try it completely on your own.
Beginners need professional supervision. Here the doctor or Qi Gong
practitioner acts as an advisor and teacher, rather than a
Western-style repair technician. The patient must be an active partner
in the health care process. Qi Gong is an effective way to treat
substance abuse and obesity. This gentle art improves delivery of
oxygen to the body's cells, reduces stress and improves bowel
functioning. It is used in Chinese hospitals and clinics to treat
individuals suffering from a variety of ailments: allergies, arthritis,
asthma, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, gout,
headaches, heart disease and hypertension, chronic kidney disease,
liver disease, lower back pain, Meniere's disease, myopia, obesity,
neurasthenia, paralysis induced by external injury, retinopathy
(deterioration of the back of the eye), rheumatism, sciatic neuralgia,
sleeplessness, stress, torticollis, ulcers, and peripheral vascular
disease. Qigong can successfully treat cancer and reduce or eliminate
side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It is helpful in treating
aphasia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and
post-stroke syndrome. It is especially useful in treating any kind of
chronic pain, and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory,
cardiovascular and nervous systems.
