What is Chi Kung

"Qigong may be used as a daily routine to increase overall health and well-being, as well as for disease prevention and longevity. It can be used to increase energy and reduce stress . In China, qigong is used in conjunction with other medical therapies for many chronic conditions, including asthma , allergies, AIDS, cancer, headaches, hypertension , depression, mental illness, strokes, heart disease, and obesity . Qigong is presently being used in Hong Kong to relieve depression and improve the overall psychological and social well-being of elderly people with chronic physical illnesses. "

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Chi-kung

is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation. With roots in Chinese medicine , martial arts , and philosophy , qigong is traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (chi) or what has been translated as "intrinsic life energy". Let us be clear, Chi Kung is not Tai CHi, although it has been called the mother of tai chi. Chi Kung is like going to the gym to build strength, like a rugby player will use weights and machines to build stamina and strength, then goes out and uses these to play the game of rugby. Chi kung builds strong chi, and Tai Chi starts to move the newly developed Chi energy around the body, through the meridians, to energise the body and the internal organs, giving a strong immune system and good health. Strong Chi, Strong Immune System, Good health.

Benefits of Chi Kung

It is generally accepted that Qigong exercises have three components: a posture (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus on guiding qi through the body. The prerequisite is a calm, relaxed state of mind. There are many different types of Chi Kung which can be practiced standing or seated. which makes it suitable for all types of physical states. Chi Kung can promote all sorts of benefits:

  • Loosens the Muscles and Builds Power
  • Strengthens the Organs
  • Improves Cardiovascular Function
  • Improves Respiratory function
  • Strengthens the Nerves
  • Improves Digestion
  • Can Be Used by the Seriously ill
  • Improves posture and balance
  • Helps Prevent Injury to Joints, Ligaments and Bones
  • Speeds Recovery Time from Injuries and Operations
  • Builds Athletic and Martial Arts Power
  • Eases Stress and Balances Emotions
  • Benefits Sedentary Workers and Meditators

There are many different Chi Kung systems available, which develop strong chi energy and helps to strengthen personal chi and through stronger chi, achieves a strong life force and boosts energy to many internal organs.

In fact Chi Kung (Chi Gong) is made up of two words, Chi which is the life force that keeps you alive and Kung which is about the skill achieved through practice. Together they mean 'cultivating energy' or building up the strength of your personal chi through regular practice.

Chi Kung is used to maintain good health, bring about healing and increased vitality through better breathing, awareness of energy and focus of the mind to allow the Chi energy to flow more freely. It involves maintaining a good posture, improving breath control and developing an improved mental focus.

At Riddlersend Tai Chi we practice an 8 Brocades chi kung to start and then add a variety of other chi kung systems like Core Energy or Breathing Chi Kung, Pain relief and recovery chi kung, fragrant Buddha chi kung.

The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong usually reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

As with any form of exercise, those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age and helps speed recovery from illness. Scientific research has confirmed that Qigong reduces hypertension and the incidence of falling in the aged population. One of the more important long-term effects is that Qigong reestablishes the body/mind/soul connection. THis is where you get to achieve a sense of being in the present moment or in a state of mindfulness, which allows you to let go of the past, stop worrying about the future and concentrate on the current moment in time that you can influence.

After all, the past is history, the future is yet to come the present is a gift that should be enjoyed and experienced to the full.

“It's being here and now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one.”
George Harrison