Post by goldendry on Apr 7, 2008 13:29:32 GMT 1
Thought I would put this up: basic description of qigong for those interested to get started.
What is Qi gong?
Qi Gong means literally, ‘breath\energy work’ though it connotes much more owing to the breadth and depth of meaning associated with the Chinese word Qi. Qi can mean both breath, cosmic or terrestial energies and much in between. Qi Gong therefore pertains to any form of energy work or practice which has the specific aim of ‘nourishing, conserving and harmonising’ ‘internal’ energy to promote health, spritual development and even martial ability or extraordinary powers. There are many common forms of Qi Gong in China some of which date back hundreds of years and some of which are relatively recent or new. Many have roots in Taoism, Confusianism or Buddhism. Some have evolved from martial arts to promote power and skill and some have evolved from traditional chinese medecine to promote health and self healing. All share the idea of self cultivation and all seek to promote and cultivate a healthy body and mind whether it aims at martial, health or spiritual goals.
Within the paradigm of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medecine) the practice of Qi Gong activates and restores the physiological, mental and energetic sytems of the body. Practice benefits the posture,balance and co-ordination, strengthens the bones and joints, dissolves stress, promotes circulation and efficient respiration, promotes detoxification and stimulates the immune system. Qi Gong maximises the efficiency and workings of the self regulating systems of the body. To bring this about all Qi Gong regulates physical posture (form), breath and mental activity.
According to Qi Gong theory, Qi Gong practice seeks to restores and blend our original prebirth essence, energy and spirit (inherited, genetic and embryonic influences) with post birth aquired ‘essences’(Ching) ‘energy (Qi) and ‘spirit’(Shen). Post Birth Essence and Energy are typically aquired from food and air and are conditioned by environmental conditions both physical and energetic, social and lifestyle. Pre birth ‘Spirit’ or Shen is the bare undifferentiated consciousness field we are born with and Post birth Spirit, simply put, is how that consciousness is filled and with what as we grow to maturity and old age.By harnessing and protecting our ‘given’ physical and mental predisposition and ‘adding-on’ and ‘blending’ acquired essence and energy from food, air, and external energy sources we are able to maintain a physiological and mental balance that promotes and restores health. Beyond good health and rejuvenation perhaps the highest goal of Qi Gong is the achievement of the ‘original’ clear undifferentiated field of awareness where the unity of all things is intuited. This is considered the spiritual path.
(Michael Acton - UK Wu Style Association)
What is Qi gong?
Qi Gong means literally, ‘breath\energy work’ though it connotes much more owing to the breadth and depth of meaning associated with the Chinese word Qi. Qi can mean both breath, cosmic or terrestial energies and much in between. Qi Gong therefore pertains to any form of energy work or practice which has the specific aim of ‘nourishing, conserving and harmonising’ ‘internal’ energy to promote health, spritual development and even martial ability or extraordinary powers. There are many common forms of Qi Gong in China some of which date back hundreds of years and some of which are relatively recent or new. Many have roots in Taoism, Confusianism or Buddhism. Some have evolved from martial arts to promote power and skill and some have evolved from traditional chinese medecine to promote health and self healing. All share the idea of self cultivation and all seek to promote and cultivate a healthy body and mind whether it aims at martial, health or spiritual goals.
Within the paradigm of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medecine) the practice of Qi Gong activates and restores the physiological, mental and energetic sytems of the body. Practice benefits the posture,balance and co-ordination, strengthens the bones and joints, dissolves stress, promotes circulation and efficient respiration, promotes detoxification and stimulates the immune system. Qi Gong maximises the efficiency and workings of the self regulating systems of the body. To bring this about all Qi Gong regulates physical posture (form), breath and mental activity.
According to Qi Gong theory, Qi Gong practice seeks to restores and blend our original prebirth essence, energy and spirit (inherited, genetic and embryonic influences) with post birth aquired ‘essences’(Ching) ‘energy (Qi) and ‘spirit’(Shen). Post Birth Essence and Energy are typically aquired from food and air and are conditioned by environmental conditions both physical and energetic, social and lifestyle. Pre birth ‘Spirit’ or Shen is the bare undifferentiated consciousness field we are born with and Post birth Spirit, simply put, is how that consciousness is filled and with what as we grow to maturity and old age.By harnessing and protecting our ‘given’ physical and mental predisposition and ‘adding-on’ and ‘blending’ acquired essence and energy from food, air, and external energy sources we are able to maintain a physiological and mental balance that promotes and restores health. Beyond good health and rejuvenation perhaps the highest goal of Qi Gong is the achievement of the ‘original’ clear undifferentiated field of awareness where the unity of all things is intuited. This is considered the spiritual path.
(Michael Acton - UK Wu Style Association)