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