QIGONG

Qigong is an ancient form of exercise and meditation practiced to improve health, treat disease, restore and balance energy, and calm the nervous system. it incorporates physical postures or movement, stretching, and regulating the breath.
There are many variations and styles of Qigong, including hard and soft, sitting and standing, and so on. I studied Qigong when I was a graduate student at the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education. My teacher, Yang Meijun, is now over 100 years old. She still practices Qigong and uses it to treat patients. It was a founding member of Qigong Research Associates at Wuhan. We did research on both clinic patients and athletes, and documented the beneficial properties of Qigong practice.

History 

Qigong originated in China many centuries ago and is still practiced by millions of people. As early as 380 B.C., ancient writing refers to the concept of controlling the qi and prescribes exercises to promote health. China is the earliest country to apply physical exercises to keeping fit and preventing disease. Qigong was a product of the struggle ancient people had with a harsh natural environment and disease, as well as injuries due to war. People dependent on their own experiences, such as resting with closed eyes, self -massage, deep breathing, stretching, etc., to fight disease without doctors and medicine. Even today new styles of qigong are being developed and practiced.

Benefits

Qigong has been incorporated into Traditional Chinese medicine and the effects of practicing Qigong are widely studied in China and elsewhere. It has proven benefits for many conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. It strengthens the cardiovascular system and benefits the heart muscle. Qigong also benefits the metabolic system and improves digestion.  Several of my students have asthma, chronic back pain, and other maladies. They tell me how much better they feel since they began practicing Qigong. People who are physically fit also benefit from Qigong practice. Because the many different styles offer different benefits, you can choose a style that suits your physical capabilities and disposition. practicing Qigong is not limited one's age, where you can, according your schedule, practice at home, in the park, by the lake, in the forest and so on.

*This material is excerpted and condensed from Wild Goose Qigong: natural movement for healthy Living by Zhang, Hong Chao(YMAA Publications, may, 2000). Copyright YMAA Publications.

Qigong in action
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Qigong in action
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Qigong in action
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Qigong in action
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Overview

History

Benefits