Have you ever heard of qigong? Qi what? Bang a gong? What the heck? For those who have never heard of qigong, the name may sound silly, but it is very therapeutic and beneficial for both physical and mental health in many ways.
Qigong, pronounced “chi gong”, is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit in order to improve and maintain optimal health . It is also used in martial arts training. Want to learn more?
What Exactly is This Ancient Chinese Practice?
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Qigong is an ancient holistic practice and is 1 of the 5 branches of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). Unlike the western medicine we practice in the US, prescription drugs are traditionally the last choice for the Chinese. Rather, they start the healing process by finding the root of the problem which can often be blocked energy. Once this blockage is removed and the energy is flowing freely, the body will most likely heal itself.
Qi or chi means energy or life force, and gong means to change or replace. Loosely translated, the practice of qigong means to move or replace energy in the body. This can potentially replace bad energy with good energy, or simply move energy in the body to remove or prevent stagnate chi. It is an internal process that has external movements that work on specific organs or for specific situations, such as illness.
We have 3 energy centers, or dantians, in our bodies. These major energy centers are like reservoirs of water and the meridians are the energy channels that act like rivers flowing into the reservoir. The upper dantian is often referred to in yoga as the 3rd eye and it is associated with spirit and intelligent consciousness. The middle dantian is in the center of the chest near the heart chakra and is connected to compassion and enlightenment. The lower dantian is known as the “root of power” or the root chakra in yoga. This is the area where we store the good energy we cultivate during our qigong practice.
How This Ancient Practice Transforms the Body
Perhaps you are recovering from a cold and your lungs have some stagnate chi that needs to be purged. This can be done with specific poses for this vital energy pathway. Asthma, cough, and shortness of breath are some of the symptoms of a blocked lung meridian. Since breath work is a vital part of the practice, the lungs are said to be the ‘commander of qi’. This work is essential for healing after an illness.
Qigong consists of 3 essential elements that are posture, breathing manipulation and mental focus. Through breath work and moving meditation, students tap into the parasympathetic nervous system to help reduce stress and anxiety. Once activated, the PSNS slows our heart and breathing rates, lowers blood pressure and promotes digestion. This type of relaxation takes the body out of the heightened ‘fight or flight’ mode we often find ourselves in due to stressful situations and promotes healing.
Key Difference Between Qigong and Tai Chi
Tai chi has been seen in movies like The Intern where they were shown practicing in the park. If I’m being honest, I must admit that piqued my interest in learning more about tai chi. While the movements are similar, qigong is movement for a certain situation as opposed to tai chi, which is a series of movements that work on the entire body in a flowing sequence. You can think of qigong for a specific need like liver health and tai chi will benefit the overall physique. Both are considered to be a moving meditation and are excellent for the mind as well.
Why Should I Practice Qigong?
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Over 2,000 years ago, Roman poet Virgil said “The greatest wealth is health”. We simply cannot place too much emphasis on the value of our health and wellness. This speaks to both physical and mental wellness, which are equally important.
While strength training and cardio are good for the muscles and the heart, we need a form of exercise to quiet our busy minds and calm our souls. Living in the 21st century with all our devices, we rarely get downtime for peace and quiet. Many studies have shown the negative effects of too much screen time on our well-being. Qigong is one way to help alleviate stress as well as prevent illness. This practice can also facilitate restful sleep by turning off monkey mind from constant over stimulation.
The two major sources of chi are breath and digestion, so gut health is also very important for the flow of energy in the body. Foods that are too heavy or rich can slow down the flow of chi in the digestive system. Diet is a partner to exercise in maintaining optimal health. Qigong is gentle enough for everyone to participate, no matter your age or fitness level.
The Six Sounds for Healing Organs
If you have tried qigong in the past and would like to get deeper into this experience, the healing sounds are a great addition to your practice.
One of the most productive ways to use the breath in qigong practice is to add the 6 healing sounds. This is a technique that combines sound, breath and movement for a unique healing experience. Since practitioners can focus on specific organs during a practice, they often add a sound for each organ.
These are the six sounds in order, with the corresponding organ behind them:
噓 xū – for the liver; 呵 hē – for the heart; 呼 hū – for the spleen; 嘶 sī – for the lungs; 吹 chuī – for the kidneys; 嘻 xī – for the triple warmers
Conclusion
My experience has been very positive. After much practice, I can sense the energy is flowing with no blockages in my own body. I love the protection flow practice as I feel this protects my immunity and mood energy when I am around others.
To help you get started I have posted a link and a video from Lee Holden, founder of Holden Qigong.
Now go move some chi!
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to simply provide information. It does not intend to replace medical advice from a professional.
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