| Qigong, (pronounced "chee-gung") is an ancient | | | | accepted instrument to measure the strength of |
| Chinese health system that combines physical | | | | qi, or to understand it fully, using the tools of |
| postures, breathing techniques, and focused | | | | Western science. |
| intention to strengthen the body-mind-spirit | | | | With that said, millions of people worldwide |
| connection. It is rapidly gaining popularity in the | | | | actively practice Qigong because of the physical |
| West as a form of stress relief and a natural | | | | and mental health benefits they personally |
| way to create harmony between the body and | | | | experience from using Qigong in their own lives. |
| mind. | | | | Here are a few examples of scientific studies that |
| For thousands of years, millions of people have | | | | indicate the health benefits of Qigong: |
| enjoyed the benefits of Qigong and believed that | | | | -- Improved Hypertension: A study conducted by |
| it is a way of maintaining health and healing illness. | | | | Huang Zianbiao of Fujian (China) found that |
| Qigong enjoys a long history in Chinese medicine. | | | | patients with hypertension, who self-administered |
| It can be traced back 2500 years in China to | | | | Qigong, had improved results as opposed to |
| treat war injuries, and later to treat other types | | | | control groups. They had increased weight, faster |
| of illness. | | | | gains in increases in strength, less diarrhea, and |
| Some forms of Qigong, such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan, | | | | other positive results. |
| can be used for self-defense, although overall | | | | -- Lowers Blood Pressure: A study by Columbia |
| Qigong has been used primarily for its health | | | | University indicates that practicing Qigong might |
| benefits. | | | | lower blood pressure. |
| Qi -- the Vital Energy | | | | -- Detoxify and Treat Addiction: A study |
| Qigong is a combination of two ideas: "qi" (also | | | | performed in 1999, by Li, Chen, and Mo suggests |
| spelled "chi"), translated as "vital energy" or "life | | | | that emitted qi, in combination with |
| force;" and "gong," meaning "work" or "effort." | | | | self-administered Qigong, can treat heroin addiction |
| In Eastern thinking, vital energy -- qi -- naturally | | | | by detoxifying the body. |
| flows throughout the human body. The idea that | | | | -- Improved Immunity: The Shanghai Academy of |
| life force flows through all things in the universe is | | | | Traditional Chinese Medicine noted that emitted qi |
| the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine, | | | | increased cellular immunity in cultured blood cells. |
| martial arts, acupuncture, and meditation. | | | | -- Inhibit Tumor Cells in Rats: The Jiangsu Provincial |
| According to this idea, disease occurs when your | | | | Research Institute conducted a study indicating |
| internal life force is blocked or not flowing | | | | that a Master Qigong practitioner inhibited tumor |
| smoothly. When your qi is not in harmony, it can | | | | cell growth, improved the healing power of the |
| create physical illness directly, or create illness | | | | lymph system, and shrunk tumor cells in rats. |
| indirectly through mental tension (which can lead | | | | What to Expect at a Qigong Class |
| to poor life habits and promote poor health). | | | | Qigong can be learned on your own through |
| Balancing Qi | | | | books or videos, or you can attend a class. |
| In traditional Chinese medicine, good health is a | | | | Classes have the added benefit of personal |
| result of well-balanced qi that flows freely. Qigong | | | | direction and specific feedback from the teacher. |
| teaches you how to use mind, breath, and | | | | A typical Qigong class might start with a gentle |
| movement in order to restore the flow of qi to a | | | | warm-up, followed by Qigong exercises. The |
| healthy balance and promote self-healing. | | | | Qigong exercises consist of gentle movements, |
| Practitioners learn how to increase their skill in | | | | breathing techniques, and visualization techniques, |
| accessing, using, and moving qi throughout the | | | | ending with deep relaxation. |
| body. There are thousands of Qigong exercises, | | | | How to Find Out More |
| and different exercises may focus on certain | | | | Because there are no national standards for |
| body parts or achieve a specific purpose. | | | | Qigong instructors, it's important to research the |
| In addition to self-administered Qigong, another | | | | teacher thoroughly to make sure he or she is |
| type of Qigong is external Qigong. External Qigong | | | | right for you, before taking a class. |
| is when a Qigong Master emits qi toward another | | | | Ask about the instructor's Qigong background and |
| person to balance the patient's qi in an effort to | | | | experience, whether he or she is a member of |
| alleviate illness. | | | | any national or international Qigong organizations, |
| Health Benefits | | | | and whom he or she trained with in the study of |
| According to traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong | | | | Qigong. If possible, seek an instructor that studied |
| helps to restore energy, reduce stress, decrease | | | | with a well-known Qigong master or Qigong |
| anxiety, and remove toxins from the body. It is | | | | tradition, and has an established Qigong practice. |
| believed that practicing Qigong can relieve pain by | | | | To find a class, perform an Internet search for |
| stimulating endorphins (the body's natural | | | | Qigong in your area. You can also look for |
| painkillers), and strengthen the immune system by | | | | information at your local yoga centers, |
| increasing lymphatic fluid. | | | | acupuncture clinics, gyms, or the YMCA. |
| Although Qigong is widely accepted as a form of | | | | Arrange to observe a class or take a trial class |
| stress relief and relaxation, there is controversy | | | | before committing your time and money. Talk to |
| as to whether Qigong can actually treat disease. | | | | other students in the class or ask for student |
| Nevertheless, Qigong is often prescribed as a | | | | referrals from the instructor. |
| complementary treatment for certain illnesses. | | | | Whether you decide to learn on your own or |
| Examples of Scientific Studies | | | | attend a course, practice makes possible. Devote |
| Numerous studies, primarily done in Mainland China, | | | | yourself to consistent practice several times a |
| have documented the capability of Qigong to | | | | week in order to receive maximum benefit from |
| treat disease. However, most of these claims | | | | Qigong. |
| have not been verified by scientific studies in the | | | | Note: Make sure to consult your doctor before |
| West because currently there is no widely | | | | starting Qigong or any other exercise program. |