Qigong is the ancient art of maintenance and healing that originated several thousand years ago in China. Qigong (pronounced “chee gong”) embodies two principles, Qi the vital energy of the body and Gong the practice and training of the Qi.

At its most fundamental level, Qigong practice addresses the two main causes of illness according to Traditional Chinese Medical theory: Qi deficiency and stagnation. Deficiency is indicated by chronic illness, and stagnation is most often associated with pain. However, Qigong does more than help people to become or stay physically healthy. The third, intentful adjustment in Qigong practice (besides adjusting the posture/body and the breath) involves the mind. Basically, this adjustment of the mind is spiritual Qigong. Interestingly, this is the part of Qigong that can have the most profound effect.

It is generally known that Qigong practice is beneficial to people’s and can prevent disease, but it is less known, even in China, that Qigong may be an effective way to treat various diseases, including chronic and degenerative. Although most Qigong styles bring some health benefits, Medical Qigong has been specifically developed for the purpose of treatment and cure of disease.

Medical Qigongrefers to the Qigong forms used by QiGong practitioners to utilize vital energy (Qi) in diagnoses and treatment of various diseases. External Qigong Therapy has always been part of the Medical Qigong practice as well as self-training method. External Qigong Therapy refers to the process by which a Qigong practitioner directs his/her intention, and emits Qi energy into the patient’s body, to help the person being treated, break Qi blockages and induce the pathogenic Qi out of the body so as to alleviate the pain, abate the disease, and balance the flow of Qi.

Besides projecting Qi, the QiGong practitioner individually designs and teaches the person being treated, a combination of including meditation, visualization, breathing and movement to practice at home. The ultimate goal of Qigong is to improve the functions of the body in a balanced way.

Physiological and Psychological Benefits of QiGong movements

Despite the fact that posture, movements, breathing methods, and meditation practice differ according to the specific styles, traditions, and emphasis of each QiGong style, the primary focus of each exercise is to:

• improve and strengthen the individual’s
• smooth the Qi of the channels and collaterals
• strengthen the body and mind
• emotionally detoxify the internal viscera
• facilitate the increase flow of Righteous Qi (the Qi that fights the pathogenic invasion) within the body.

QiGong movements generate heat and soften the body’s connective tissues. They also encourage the flushing of the intercellular fluid throughout the body’s tissues and organs. When combined with Breathing, Mental and Postural Dao Yin Qigong exercises, the entire body is affected.

The energetic effect of Qigong/Tai Chi exercises increase oxygenation of the blood and improves circulation, thereby enhancing lymphocyte production and strengthening the body’s immune system, which is critical in preventing diseases.