What is Qigong?

Qigong is a traditional Chinese healing procedure that combines several gentle physical movements, breathing techniques, and meditation (that integrates the mind and body) to strengthen the body and make it more energetic and healthy. Pronounced as Chee-Gung, this healing method dates back to 2,500 - 5000 years. The meaning of Qigong can be understood by breaking it up into two words that make it, Qi meaning life force and Gong meaning the development of skill through practice over a time period. As such, this procedure revolves around creating and utilizing healthy energies for the purpose of physical and mental healing. Here, we attempt to understand what Qigong is by looking into the elements that comprise this procedure.

How Qigong is Practiced

As mentioned earlier, Qigong is a mixture of several practices that contribute towards both, physical and mental healing. Here are the elements that go into making Qigong such an effective healing procedure.

• Static Qigong: The procedure involves holding a posture for a certain time period. Doing so helps develop immense physical and mental stamina over time.
• Dynamic Qigong: This process involves performing several Qigong exercises in order to enhance flexibility and to circulate qi or energy in the body.
• Meditative Qigong: Coming to the aspect of developing mental focus and strength, the importance of meditation in Qigong cannot be overlooked. The meditative techniques in Qigong have been adapted from Tao Buddhism.

Qigong breathing is another important element of Qigong. Other elements may be the consumption of specific foods and drinks to enhance qi, massages, and the intervention of an external healer to enhance the flow of qi throughout the body.

Where is Qigong Applied?

There are several areas in which the methods of Qigong are applied that will help us understand the effects and benefits of this practice, and what Qigong is good for. In all these areas, there are three elements that form the core of these styles, i.e. specific postures, breathing exercises, and concentration and focus. These aspects have been described in detail below.

• Medical Qigong: The process of Qigong is applied in order to prevent any chronic health conditions that one may be prone to developing. According to the beliefs of this practice, stress is the prime reason one develops health problems. Stress also affects an individual's qi. By targeting the root cause of these problems, medical or healing Qigong, also known as Yi Gong, aims to prevent and treat several health conditions. Dealing with stress also helps control problems such as anxiety, fear, and frustration that are also known to result in health problems such as high blood pressure and conditions of the heart. The various Qigong breathing techniques and exercises are practiced by oneself under the guidance of a Qigong healer.
• Non-Contact or External Qi Healing: In this method, a Qigong healer taps healing energies from nature and serves as the agent through which these energies are transferred into an individual. This process includes specific Qigong exercises that are known to enhance one's openness and reception to the energies prevalent in nature. It is believed that this method can be used as a type of psychotherapy because it allows the healer to treat an individual without any form of contact.
• Qigong for Spiritual Awareness: By practicing the meditation techniques that have been adapted from Buddhism, one can increase self-awareness, feel serene, and in harmony with the universe. The individual will be less affected by worldly happenings and more connected with the inner self by practicing spiritual Qigong.
• Qigong for Development of Physical Strength: Also known as sports Qigong, in this area, Qigong aims to improve flexibility, stamina, and the strength needed to perform various physical activities and sports. It also makes the individual less prone to injury and creates a sense of balance by which all such physical activities and a variety of sports can be performed effectively.

To practice Qigong, it is important that it be done under the guidance of a qualified Qigong healer. Though one may now be fairly aware of the breathing exercises or postures this practice involves, when performed without guidance, it can have numerous unhealthy side effects. This completely negates the purposes for which Qigong is practiced. When performed correctly, Qigong can help alleviate several health problems, can provide mental relief, and can enhance focus and concentration in the individual performing it.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert advice.