Qigong Exercises

In today's fast-paced world where people are being affected by lifestyle related diseases like blood pressure, stress, depression, insomnia, etc. the Qigong exercises are a great way to stay healthy. These exercises are being used by many monks as a part of their meditation technique, the routine is also used by martial arts exponents and by other people as a part of their fitness regimen. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine recommend this exercise routine as a preventive and curative measure. Even today, Qigong is used as an alternative medicine with many believing in its abilities. The Qi in Qigong represents energy and it is the art of manipulating and controlling this energy. It uses simple breathing techniques and body movements to revitalize the practitioner.

Practitioners of Qigong report increased vitality and freedom from aches and pains. These exercises are carefully choreographed movements and meditative breathing techniques. The routine can be divided into different parts namely dynamic Qigong which involves body movements, static Qigong which is about holding certain poses for a period of time. Here are a few Qigong exercises

Awakening Chi
Stand with your feet hip width apart and hands by your side palms facing the thighs. Now slowly raise both arms towards the center of your chest by bending at the elbow. Come up so that your forearms are parallel to the floor and the fingers of both the arms almost touching each other. Now turn your palms over, so that they are facing the floor and slowly bring the arms back down.

Hip Swing
Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip width apart with your arms loosely hanging by your side, make sure you are totally relaxed in this start position. Now slowly turn your upper body to the left side by turning at your waist. Twist as far as possible and look back as far as possible. Once you are all the way back to the left side slowly come back and twist to the other side. This is a good exercise for stress relief.

Body Bend
For this routine stand with your feet shoulder width apart, arms relaxed and hanging by your side. Now slowly bend forward by bending at the waist, exhale as you go down and try to touch the floor with the palms of your hands. If you can't touch the floor go as far down as possible. Now slowly return to the start position and then bend your body backwards so that you are looking at the ceiling and the hands are hanging below you.

Spine Stretch
Sit on a bench with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and place your hands on the knees. Look straight ahead and lean forward by bending at the waist go down so that your chest is parallel to the floor. Exhale slowly, as you are going down and once you are down, tuck your chin in your chest and slowly come up by digging your hands in the knees. Inhale as you are coming back and when your spine is straight look straight ahead by moving your chin away from the chest.

Stomach Breathing
All Qigong breathing exercises are very easy to practice, and have several benefits. Get in a comfortable position you can stand, sit on a stool or on the floor with your legs crossed. Now inhale and push your stomach out and get your diaphragm involved in the breathing. As you exhale, relax your stomach muscles, this is a great exercise and will give you a feeling of well-being.

You can also use these exercises for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems, but use them as part of your treatment and not as a whole. Qigong exercises will help relieve stress and relax your mind to improve your concentration levels and vitality.