What is Qigong?
What is Qigong? Is it a mystical form of healing your mind and body? Is Qigong a form of using herbs and natural foods for healing? Is it a form of exercise? Is Qigong a kind of meditation?
Qigong is a wide range of different things, depending on who you ask. The start of Qigong can be traced back to ancient China, and has been given a very important role in their society which continues until today. It covers aspects of manipulating your own energy field through many different techniques. These methods include movements taken from the martial arts, meditative practices derived from Buddhism, contemplation to improve your moral character as comes from Confucius, and herbal treatments and massages from the healing arts of China.
Qigong underwent a major metamorphosis during the Cultural Revolution of China when all the different parts were brought together by the mandates of the Chinese government with the intent of increasing the effectiveness and standardizing Qigong. With this change and evolution, Qigong started moving around the world, and has become accepted in countries everywhere.
The physical movements used in Qigong are smooth, flowing, and relaxing. The are similar in movement to the exercise form of Tai Chi Chuan. These dynamic movements are meant to help bring your body and spirit under control in unison, allowing the flow of energy to become easy and unimpeded. Qigong includes static positions similar to Yoga to improve flexibilty, core strength, and to help bring you into a meditative state.
This brings in the next quadrant of Qigong. Meditating is done for the purpose of clearing the mind, and allowing the free flow of energy and power through your body and mind.
Then if you want to use all of the portions of Qigong you use ancient Chinese forms of herbal medicine and eating to help you reach an even higher state of energy and health. Chinese culture has always been filled with many forms of herbal medicines, which later has been proven by science to be very beneficial. Qigong encompasses these treatments to help extend the effectiveness of all the other components.
As you can see Qigong is a practice which encompasses many different forms. By combining these forms you can get a well rounded form of taking control of your mind and body. Qigong is often considered a form of alternative medicine, using the powerful combination of different techniques engages almost every part of your body and mind, which definitely aids in the healing process. It may be better described as a therapy than actually alternative medicine. If meditation, stretching, exercise, and proper diet are all forms of therapy, the Qigong could be looked at as therapy on steroids.
Qigong is a blend of mental, spiritual, moral, and physical disciplines which combine to empower your life. The practice of Qigong has become increasingly popular around the world as people see how these centuries old techniques from China can aid in improving their own lives.
