qigong

What is Qigong

 

 

Qigong is a health system practiced since ancient times in China. It plays an important role in preventing and treating diseases, protecting and enhancing health, preventing premature old age, and prolonging life. Therefore, even in ancient times qigong was called the way of "destroying diseases and prolonging life".

 

The constituent parts of this word, qi and gong, can be described separately as follows.

1. What is qi?

 

Most commonly, "chi" is associated with air. However, this is only one of its many meanings. In qigong, it refers to a slightly different concept.

 

According to some researchers, people who practice qigong Define qi as "infrared radiation," "electric charge," "flow of particles," etc. According to the functions performed by qi in the human body, qigong refers to a kind of energy. Thus, it is not only oxygen inhaled and carbon dioxide exhaled that is meant here, but also a certain substance that carries a certain energy.

 

People practicing Qigong usually refer to Qi as "inner Qi" or "true Qi".

As opposed to just Qi, like the air one breathes. Traditional Chinese medicine views the true qi contained in the human body as the driving force behind life. Thus, the term "qigong" refers to this true qi.

 

True qi can be divided into two divisions:

"the qi of the preceding palate" (or prenatal qi) and "the qi of the following

Heaven" (or postnatal qi). Prenatal qi, in turn, is subdivided into two forms essential qi and primordial qi. Essential Qi refers to that part of the life energy that is transmitted from the parents at conception of the fetus. Primordial Qi refers to the force supporting physiological functions of tissues and organs.

Primordial qi is formed in the process of fetal development.

 

Postnatal Qi is also divided into two types - heavenly Qi and earthly Qi. Heavenly qi is contained in inhaled air, and earthly qi is contained in water and signs. In fact, by earthly qi is meant the qi that one gets from any food. Only when the human body is sufficiently filled with heavenly and earthly qi can it

can carry out its vital functions.

 

Both prenatal qi, which is the basis, the driving force of the body, and postnatal qi, which is the material for sustenance, are absolutely necessary for humans. Their interaction generates the true Qi discussed above.

2. What is gong?

 

Performing Qigong exercises allows the true Qi in the body to function in the most correct and complete manner. The effect on qi is the meaning of 'gong' (or 'gungfu') in the term 'qigong'. But the word "gungfu" also has a wider range of meanings. It can refer directly to the performance of exercises of the qigong system. The impact of these exercises on the body, as well as a certain level of skill in mastering these exercises.

 

Persistence. shown when performing exercises. reflects the willpower and determination of the qigong practitioner. Doing the exercises piecemeal, without the proper persistence will not lead to positive results. The results are influenced by the thoroughness of the exercises.

 

The purpose of qigong is to "place qi within the body" or in other words, "to build true qi". In fact, excellent health is ensured not only by a sufficient amount of true qi, but also by its proper placement and functioning.

 

The construction of true qi involves three types of action:

 

1) breathing vital qi:

 

2) attaining a relaxed mental state:

 

3) bringing the internal organs into harmony.

 

These three influences are aimed at "calming the mind, breath, and body" and are the basic principles of qigong.

 

3. qigong methods

 

The practice of qigong has a large number of schools and directions. In general they can be reduced to five main schools - Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, medical and martial arts.

 

The Taoist school of qigong has "strengthening the body and psyche" as its main goal. It regards the human being as a part of nature, so the emphasis is not only on qigong exercises, but also on contemplation of the environment.

 

For the Buddhist school, however, the main goal is "relaxation of the mind," i. e., the ability to think about nothing.

 

The task of the Confucian school is "management of the mind", moral and psychological education and "attainment of peace".

 

The medical school sees its main task as curing diseases. Much attention is given to prophylaxis and prolongation of life.

 

Martial arts school considers qigong as a way to enhance one's ability to resist an enemy in order to defend oneself morally as well as physically.

 

Like the medical school, there is also a strong emphasis on health preservation, but the practical methods of these schools differ greatly.

 

The different types of qigong can be reduced to three main types - relaxing qigong, dynamic qigong and dynamic-relaxing qigong. Any of these three types incorporates the three basic principles of qigong - mental, breathing and body training.

 

Mental training (mental daoyin) requires that thoughts be concentrated on a single object, which puts the cerebral cortex

 

into a special state of inhibition. This state is called "inner concentration.

 

Breathing training (breathing daoin) includes breathing exercises of the following types:

 

exhalation, inhalation, deep exhalation, strong breathing, weak breathing, and breath-holding.

 

Body training (bodily daoyin) is divided into six main types:

 

walking exercises:

 

standing, sitting, lying, and kneeling, as well as massage.

 

No matter which method is chosen as the main one, what is important is the regularity' of the exercises

 

and the accuracy of the recommendations.

 

This is what should lead to success.