Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling flat, like you have no energy? Something is off, you've rested all night, but you can't place your finger on it. Could your qi, or energy, be imbalanced? Qigong can help you balance and cultivate your qi (energy) to put that spring back in your step - naturally.
Benefits Of Qigong
Reduce Stress - The natural, slow movements of Qigong help to lower stress by reducing respiratory and heart rate.
Longevity - Qigong promotes longevity by improving blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function and bone density. Qigong also has many anti-aging benefits.
Clear Skin - Qigong helps to eliminate toxins, this helps to improve the skin.
Stimulate The Immune System - With just three hours per week, Qigong can stimulate your immune system. A study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne found that adults who practiced Qigong three hours per week developed more antibodies after receiving flu shots than those who didn't practice Qigong.
The Origins Of Qigong
Qigong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine and has many powerful benefits. The practice of Qigong dates back to the seventeenth century b.c. According to Qi-Energy.com, "Legends of the Shang Dynasty period describe how members of the ancient Tao Tang tribes would imitate the movements of wild animals in order to dispel rheumatism caused by the cold, damp climate." These first exercises were called "dao yin", they have evolved over time to what is now known as Qigong. From the beginning, Qigong was designed to holistically improve quality of life. Qiqong is based on qi, or life energy, but what is qi?
Qi Is Energy
Qi is a fundamental concept of traditional Chinese culture. Qigong is built upon the idea that every living thing contains Qi, me, you and the Earth. Qi translates to "energy flow", "air" or "breath". This is one reason Yoga is focused on the breath and Acupuncture is used to balance energy. Through breath (Yoga) and meridian therapy (Acupuncture) there are many ways to move qi through your body and even into others. When you take a deep breath and feel relaxed, you're moving your qi!
Qi flows through the body along the path of meridians. Each culture has its own definition of energy and its pathways, but the meridians can be thought of as the body's energy bloodstream while chakras are concentrated centers of energy. As defined by the traditional Chinese system, there are twelve main meridians which correspond to the twelve principal organs. According to FindArticles.com the twelve main organs are, "the lung, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pericardium, and the triple warmer, which represents the entire torso region." In traditional Chinese medicine, each organ has two functions, one function is physical (which western medicine can describe) and the other is energetic (which eastern medicine can identify). Each organ contains its own qi and uses it to perform its function and to work with other organs.
Who Should Practice Qigong
Qigong is a low impact exercise that is considered safe for most people when practiced according to standard moderate principles. If you are looking for a low impact, safe exercise, give Qigong a try today.
Practice Qigong Today
- Find a Qigong Teach - Visit the National Qigong Association to find a teacher.
- Read About Qigong - Kenneth Cohen is an famous Qigong instructor; his book is available on Amazon.
- Watch Qigong Videos Online - We have an extensive Qigong library available to you. Here you can learn the basics of Qigong in the comfort of your own home.
