How to Gong your Qi: An Introduction to the Ancient art of Qigong
Shawn Cartwright and Yinong Chong April 2008
Qi is energy and Gong means work in Chinese. Learning how to work your body’s energy is the secret of Qigong success. Qigong is an ancient Chinese tradition of self-cultivation and healing. There are literally thousands of schools of Qigong but most fall in a few categories: self-cultivation, healing, and martial arts. Self-cultivation includes the Taoist, Chan (Zen), and Confucian mediation practices. Healing includes self-healing and Bu Qi or emitting Qi to heal others. Martial arts include the Qigong based kung Fu such as Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing-I Chuan, and Pa Kua Chang.
Qigong schools vary widely in their approach to training, reflecting the various philosophical, geographic, and personalities that contributed to their formation. As a result, Qigong routines can be quite different from one school to the next. Many schools use standing, sitting and laying postures while meditating. Others use a variety of visualization and breathing techniques. A number of Qigong forms such as Eight Pieces of Brocade and Tai Yi use moving postures. In addition, some schools of Qigong, such as Wudang Long men Taoist Qigong, combine many of these sets into one system.
Although there are many different Qigong schools and methods, they all have three features in common. Called the “Three Adjustments,” Qigong adjusts the body, the mind, and the breath. Each adjustment is designed to eliminate blockages and facilitate the accumulation and free flow of energy throughout the body. According to Qigong theory, eliminating blockages and smoothing the energy flow, facilitates improved health and overall well-being in practitioners.
The self-healing aspect of Qigong is based upon Traditional Chinese Medical Theory, including the Wu Hsing or five elements. In this theory, each organ system in the body is associated with an elemental energy. For example, the Liver is associated with the element wood. Wood energy manifests itself most strongly in the Spring, when all that is green begins to return to life and grow. Therefore, springtime is considered one of the best times to do Qigong work that benefits the Liver.
Students that have practiced Qigong for a period of time may be ready for an advanced practice called Nei Dan or Internal Alchemy. It is considered the highest level of Qigong practice and was previously one of Chinese culture’s most closely guarded secrets. Internal Alchemy is the method of refining the “Three Treasures” of the human body: Jing, Qi, and Shen. Jing is the essence, Qi is the energy, and Shen is the spirit. The Alchemy practitioner unifies the Three Treasures in order to delay or reverse the effects of aging, leading to longevity and spiritual well-being.
Qigong exercises are generally easy to learn, but have a depth that permits a lifetime of study. In the remainder of this issue you will find techniques you can start practicing right now. Since it is Spring, the techniques deal mainly with Wood Qigong for the Liver. If you want to learn more, we encourage you to read on, visit our website at www.tccii.com or try out a Qigong, Self-Healing, or Internal Kung Fu class or seminar.
Oh, and don’t say “Gong Your Qi” to a Chinese speaker – the phrase would be Lian Qi or refine Qi.