Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.
They believed in a fundamental substance of the human body called Qi - vital energy which can be cultivated by Qigong.
Meaning of Qigong/Chi Kung
The
Chinese word Qigong (Chi Kung); the word Qi is pronounced as chee means
the life force or vital energy, the word Gong is pronounced as gung,
means skill to cultivate. Together, Chi Kung means cultivating vital
energy, it is a practicing art for health maintenance, healing and
increasing vitality.
Classification of Qigong
Qigong can be
classified as martial, medical, or spiritual. All types have three
things in common: they all involve a posture, breathing techniques, and
focused mind. Practicing some qigong increase the Qi; others improves
circulation, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit Qi
to heal others.
Qigong is an exercise to regulate the body, mind
and breathing in order to control or promote the flow of qi. Since qi
plays an important role in the vital processes of the human body, the
regulation of qi flow is used to preserve health and treat disease.
Medical Qigong
Medical
qigong exercise practiced to prevent and treat diseases. It focused on
the mobilization of functional potentialities by regulating the mind,
it is psycho-somatic both physical and mental. Qigong works to ease,
smooth and regulate breathing to store up or accumulate vital energy Qi
in the body.
Medical Qigong classification
Medical qigong can be divided into two main categories:
- Internal qigong is practiced by the patients themselves to preserve and promote their own health.
- External qigong is performed by a master (emit Qi) on a person with health problems.
Qigong
can be practiced while sitting still, standing upright, or lying on the
back or side. The basic requirement is to stay comfortable and relaxed.
Gentle,
rhythmic smooth movements of Qigong 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.
