Qigong

Six thousand years ago in Northern China, a tribal people settled along the shores of the Yellow River. These people had not developed a national identity, and lived by tending herds, agriculture, hunting and fishing, without straying far from the banks of the river. Their chieftains allegedly had unusual powers: they knew the healing secrets of plants and animals, spoke with invisible entities, and the river waters seemed to bend to their will.

They were the first Taoists. Their practices were meditation, cultivation of the body, sacred ceremonies and magical arts. Among the refined techniques they used to nurture their health and relax their minds, there was Qigong.

Today millions of people of all ages are learning Qigong exercises for their stress management, relaxation, natural healing, wellness and longevity properties.

Qigong (Chi Kung) comes from the Chinese words "Qi" meaning "Energy" plus "Gong", meaning "work" or "practice". It is a term that describes an exercise system focused on cultivating and attracting "Qi" or "lifeforce" energies. Pronounced "Chee Gung", Qigong (sometimes spelled "Chi Kung") is a unique Chinese exercise system. Through individual effort, practitioners build up their health and prevent illness by combining discipline of mind, body and the body's "Qi" (vital force).

Qigong draws on many elements. It includes "regulating the body" through posture, "regulating the mind" through quiet, relaxation and concentration of one's mental activity," regulating the breath", self-massage and movement of the limbs.

There are many different types of Qigong systems with different goals. There are…

•       Medical Qigongs designed to improve health in general or to target a particular disease or internal organ

•       Martial Qigongs designed to increase internal power or to condition the body

•       Daoist or Buddhist Qigongs which aim to promote spiritual growth

•       Sexual Qigongs to increase the sexual energy or increase the range of sensations

There are many more such types and each in turn has a large number of different variations. One analogy would be to think of Qi as music and the different types of Qigong as different musical instruments. The subject matter is the same but the way it is approached can vary. The Internal Martial Arts themselves are a type of Qigong.

A common thread in all these practices is the emphasis on using the mind. Most exercises are done with a great deal of (relaxed) concentration and very little physical movement. But movement is present all the time - even when the practitioner seems perfectly still.

At Zenshin dojo we offer guidance and tuition in

•       Tai Hui Qigong - eight exercises designed for strengthening the body and promoting internal energy.

•       Eight Animal Qigong - a set of exercises mimicking the movements of eight animals.

•       Yijinjing (Yin Yang Qigong) - is said to be developed by Bodhidharma, the father of the Shaolin School of martial arts. This set of twelve exercises both relaxes and strengthens the muscles and tendons. Exercises (yi) to stretch/develop (jing) muscles (jin).

•       Five Yin Organs Qigong - The Five Yin Organs Qigong is used to strengthen and regulate the function of Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver and Heart

If you are interested in practising Qigong in order to develop your ‘martial body condition’ or as a simple yet effective way to cultivate good health please contact Rob for more details.

Note this practice is not confined to karate practitioners.

Return to top