Qi Gong

Qi Gong is a comprehensive definition for a very large variety of movement methods that originate from China, and whose purpose is to strengthen the flow of qi energy in the body and thus improve health. The word 'Qi' refers to the 'life energy' flowing through the body, or in other words – our vitality. The word 'Gong' means 'work' or 'ability'. Together, the combination "Qi Gong" means training the qi, that is, exercises performed with the aim of circulating the qi energy in the body.

The world of Qi Gong is very vast. Starting with individual exercises, through short or long sets that combine several exercises in a row, to types of self-massages. The exercises are performed in different positions and are usually characterized by soft, circular, flowing, and relaxed movements, although there are also more complex styles.

Ever since Qi Gong broke the borders of China and reached the Western world, it has been gaining popularity. One of the reasons is many scientific studies that have proven the effectiveness of Qi Gong in improving physical and mental health. Today, Qi Gong is considered an integral part of the world of alternative medicine, and is even recommended by doctors as a moderate physical activity that does not wear out the body, and contributes to improving the quality of life and prolonging it.

Qi Gong – The Quest For Energetic Balance

According to Chinese medicine, the factor that has the most decisive influence on a person's health is his qi energy. All methods and styles of Qi Gong have a common goal, which is to circulate the qi in the body in order to nourish the internal organs and bring the body to a state of energetic balance. When the qi is balanced the body is physically and mentally healthy, but when an imbalance occurs the body becomes weak and vulnerable to illness and injury.

Qi, according to the concept of Chinese medicine, is life energy found in every living being, and it flows in energy channels called "meridians". Qi Gong exercises focus on stretching and twisting the meridians, where the qi flows, thus helping to open gates and barriers that may interfere with the flow of energy, and encouraging the movement of qi.

Apparently, this is a relatively ancient system, the roots of which can be found in China thousands of years ago. Qi Gong was developed as part of a daily training routine aimed at maintaining general health. The ancient Chinese understood very well that regular maintenance of the body and mind could prevent diseases and injuries and help each person live a longer and better life.

Although it is a philosophical-holistic approach, Qi Gong exercises that were developed were found to be effective for strengthening the body and making it flexible. Therefore, it is clear that even in ancient China, where Qi Gong developed, people understood the inseparable connection between body and mind, and the need to create external movement in order for an internal movement to be created.

The Oldest Movement Method In The World

The origins of Qi Gong date back thousands of years, so it is difficult to determine exactly when it was first practiced. One of the estimates is that the practice developed as part of ceremonial dances held within tribes in different regions of China. The dance rhythms and the various movements were developed in order to strengthen the dancers, physically and mentally, and protect them from illness and injury.

Over time, the original dance movements were refined and became a series of health exercises for daily practice. It is said that one of the mythical emperors of China, Huang Di, who is considered the founding father of Chinese culture and is better known as the "Yellow Emperor", used to practice Qi Gong on a daily basis and lived for more than a century.

However, apparently, the roots of modern Qi Gong can be found somewhere in the second century AD. The development of the system is attributed to Hua To, who served as the Chinese emperor's physician at the time and was trusted with his health. According to ancient Chinese medicine, on which Hua Tu was based, the qi energy flows around the limbs and therefore it is possible by stretching the arms and legs in specific movements to improve the flow of qi to the internal organs as well.

In later years, Qi Gong became more and more common in China, and additional practices, ideas, philosophies, and even myths were developed that drew inspiration from the seemingly immense power of qi. Alchemists tried to use Qi Gong in combination with diets, herbs, and various different methods in order to escape the clutches of death, and legends say that some of them even managed to reach an extreme age. Qi Gong became popular mainly among intellectuals, monks, and nobles who practiced it for health and meditation purposes. Everyone aspired to cultivate the qi through practice and to achieve good health and longevity.

Qi Gong came to the western world only after the opening of China to the world. Until then, few who visited the country or those who learned it from Chinese immigrants in the West were exposed to the system. However, from the moment Qi Gong crossed the borders of China, it was received in the West with great enthusiasm, and many treat it as an ancient wisdom that emerged and was rediscovered.

If in the early years, Qi Gong was considered a practice that was mainly suitable for adults, then thanks to a number of medical studies that proved its health benefits, today it is also gaining popularity among young people who understand the importance of health care at an early stage in their lives, especially in view of the busy modern lifestyle that sometimes collects a high physical and mental price.

Indeed, in the last decades, Qi Gong has gained renewed professional momentum. New styles of practice were developed in the West, as well as in the East, some of them are more similar to the classic Qi Gong and some are far from the original system, in order to adapt them to the spirit of the time and the Western taste.

Relaxing Effect On The Body And Mind

Qi Gong has long been no longer the domain of the Chinese alone. Since it was brought to the West, it is gaining momentum and popularity as a tool that helps treat and cure various health problems, including chronic and acute diseases. Over the years, Qigong has been the subject of many medical studies and the results are very impressive.

The studies conducted have shown that regular practice of Qi Gong leads to a significant strengthening of the various body systems: the nervous system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal system, the hormonal system, the vascular system, and more.

In addition, it has been proven that Qi Gong has a beneficial effect on sleep quality, balance, blood pressure, and resting heart rate. Moreover, the practice releases the joints, tendons, and muscles, and allows the body and mind to relax and shed tensions accumulated during the day.

Breathing is one of the most important key points in Qi Gong. There is a direct and clear connection between the quality of breathing and the degree of stress that the body and mind experience. When we experience restlessness, our breathing becomes faster and shallower, and sometimes even fragmented. This process leads to the contraction of the body, which makes it difficult for the qi to flow through the meridians effectively, resulting in a state of energetic imbalance.

In practicing Qi Gong we train our breathing to be natural, deep, efficient, and flowing. Correct breathing has a calming and liberating effect, and when we are calmer and more relaxed the qi flows through the meridians more smoothly and allows us to reach a state of balance and inner harmony.

When we live in harmony with ourselves, we live in harmony with the environment. In the family unit, in the workplace, in different social circles, and even in casual situations such as various meetings and confrontations. With the help of Qi Gong and breathing training, we can learn to control ourselves, take a minute, and make a decision out of consideration and not impulsively, even in complex situations. In doing so, we improve the quality of our lives and have a positive impact on our environment.

Why You Should Combine Qi Gong And Martial Arts

Chinese martial arts consider the strengthening of qi to be of supreme value. A strong qi is a necessity for improving the warrior's stamina, courage, endurance in battle, and even his ability to overcome injuries. That's why Qi Gong is a tool that naturally integrates with most martial arts that originate in China and are known under the inclusive name "Kung Fu".

The use of Qi Gong in Chinese martial arts is wide ranging from breathing and flexibility exercises to the development of extraordinary abilities such as the ability to withstand strong blows to the body and the ability to break hard objects. The latter may sometimes be perceived as a gimmick, but in a historical view of face-to-face battles, these abilities of forging the body are critical in order to increase the warrior's sense of competence and self-confidence on the battlefield.

Today, Qi Gong can be found as part of the regular training routine even in methods that do not originate from China. Training in martial arts can sometimes be tough on the physical and mental levels, and the Qi Gong exercises provide a quality solution for maintaining and improving the health of the trainees and strengthening personal resilience. Also, the Qi Gong exercises help to acquire more correct movement habits that relax the body, reduce the load on the joints, back, and ligaments, and reduce tension and pain.

Rest is an essential component of any training regimen. To achieve the training goals, the body must be allowed to rest, recover, heal, and regain its strength.

Rest is when the body repairs and rebuilds itself. Muscles grow and strengthen during rest, not during the training itself. Without adequate rest, muscles can become fatigued, and the chance of injury increases.

Equally important, rest and recovery play a vital role in mental health and cognitive function. Training can be a strenuous mental effort, and if not balanced with sufficient relaxation, burnout can result.

A combination of martial arts training and Qi Gong is a proven strategy for long-term success. It allows the body to adapt and recover, ensures continuous progress, and significantly reduces the risk of injury and mental fatigue.

As the awareness of the practice develops, its effect can be felt in the deepest layers of the body and mind, and how it actually improves the quality of training and the quality of life. The body is looser and more relaxed, the mood improves and the feeling during training and daily is more pleasant and lighter.