Make Your Own "Chicken Soup"
Rejuvenate, Renew and Revitalize with Qigong
Yinong Chong May 2008
Chicken Soup – the words remind us of something soothing, nourishing, and healing. Chicken soup is an old remedy for hungry bellies and ailing bodies. But you need a kitchen and good cook to make chicken soup, and way too often, we cannot get that bowl of soup for our mind, body, and soul when we desperately need it. Now, what if you could make your own chicken soup anytime and anywhere, with no utensils required and no dishes to clean up? That is exactly what ancient wisdom from China, called Qigong, lets you do.
What’s the fuss about Qigong?
It is a strange word that you are not quite sure how to pronounce, but it’s making headline news here and there, even on New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Medical schools study it, even NIH sponsored research. The benefits of Qigong quoted in the media or scientific studies appeared to be both incredible and impressive:
· Reduce stress and anxiety
· Reduce hypertension and incidence of falling
· Increase stamina and vitality
· Enhance the immune system
· Improve cardiovascular, respiratory and circulatory functions
· Improve digestive and lymphatic functions
· Improve mental and emotional wellbeing
The best part – there are not really many side effects or contraindications, except that you have to do it everyday. Many health care professionals now recommend Qigong as an important form of alternative complementary medicine.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is not a new fad or fashion, but an ancient Chinese practice with at least 3,000 years of history. According to the National Qigong Association, “Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.”
The word Qigong (also known as Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words:氣功. Qi (Chee) is usually translated as the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong (Gung), means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong means cultivating energy - it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.
There are many different Qigong forms with different emphasis. Some practices focus on circulating Qi, using it to cleanse and heal the body; some emphasize increasing or storing Qi to revitalize and rejuvenate yourself; and others train people how to emit Qi to help heal others.
No matter what schools, styles or forms you learn, they all share three common goals:
· Regulating postures (opening up and structural alignment for better Qi flow)
· Regulating breathing (breathing techniques to refine and circulate Qi)
· Regulating mental state (mental and emotional adjustment for peace and harmony)
What makes Qigong so unique?
Qigong practice incorporates movements, breathing techniques, and mental focus into one system, and it purposefully applies the traditional Chinese medicine principals in the exercise. Most other forms of exercise are more limited – they do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture nor do they emphasize the importance of adding mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. But Qigong movements, for instance, are specifically designed to guide Qi flow within the energetic pathways of the body, clear blockages and rebalance the energy system; and most of all, enhance a feeling of wellness by cultivating peace and harmony in your heart and mind. When these dimensions are added, the benefits of exercise increase exponentially.
Those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age and helps speed recovery from illness. Western scientific research confirms that Qigong reduces hypertension and the incidence of falling in the aged population. One of the more important long-term effects is that Qigong reestablishes the body/mind/soul connection.
People do Qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit.
When these three aspects of our being are integrated, it encourages a positive outlook on life and helps eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors. This helps create a balanced life style, which brings greater harmony, stability, and enjoyment
Who can do Qigong?
The answer is EVERYBODY. There are a wide variety of Qigong practices to choose from, and they vary from the simple, stationary forms to the more complex forms or dynamic movements. No matter whether you are physically challenged or super athletic, you can surely find something forms that resonate with you well. There are Qigong classes for children, senior citizens, and every age group in between. Since Qigong can be practiced anywhere or at any time, there is no need to buy special clothing, join a health club or convert to a new belief system. In other words, regardless of your ability, age, belief system or life circumstances, you will find Qigong can be a great companion to have in life.
Anyone can enrich their lives by adding Qigong to their daily routine. Children learning to channel their energy and develop increased concentration; office workers learning Qigong to reduce stress; seniors participating in gentle movements to enhance balance and their quality of life; caregivers embracing a practice to develop their ability to help others; prisons instituting Qigong programs to restore balance in inmates lives; midwives using Qigong techniques to ease child birth.
Keep in mind that as in many other practices, you will find that instructors come with different qualities. The following criteria can help when choosing a qualified instructor: what is their background and experience; do they have authentic, lineage training; are they of good character; do they treat everyone fairly and with respect; do they live what they teach; do they refrain from making wild, unsubstantiated claims; do they encourage and bring out a student's highest potential? While keeping these points in mind, remember to trust your intuition in finding an instructor who is right for you.
When you do find the Qigong that is right you, you’ll discover a whole new world of life enriching practices. Just as we used to make chicken soup in the kitchen when we needed something nourishing and healing, you’ll be able to make your own chicken soup anytime, anywhere, whenever you need it.
