What is Qigong

For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has included the use of Chinese pharmacology, herbalism, acupuncture, massage and Qigong. But although Qigong has proven effective for a range of diseases and conditions, and is used extensively by tens of millions of people daily around the world for preventative medicine and self-healing, it has not received widespread acceptance by Western medical practitioners. Qigong focuses on the cultivation of the universal life force/energy, “Qi”, for the maintenance of good health.

The management of Qi for good health, was first postulated in the Chinese Classic, the “Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine”, which is considered to be a reflection of medical accomplishment dating from the Warring States Period (476-221 BC). Good health results from a well balanced, free flowing Qi energy which is encouraged by regular Qigong practice. In Qigong we combine breathing techniques with slow physical movements and standing meditation to relieve tension in the body. When our body relaxes, our mind relaxes as well, and the division between the mind and body dissolves enabling us to create a higher state of consciousness. This expanded awareness leads to greater mental clarity and a healthier physical and emotional state.

Chinese Philosophy suggests there are three basic types of Qi, Heaven Qi,(Tian Qi), the Qi of the Universe, and the largest most powerful form of Qi, Earth Qi, (Di Qi), the Qi that is contained within our planet and Human Qi (Ren Qi). Human Qi regulates our growth, vitality, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance. Human Qi also known as the three treasures is comprised of:

1. Jing
2. Qi
3. Shen

The First Treasure 'Jing'

Jing is described as "vital essence." And is the Qi concentrated in the sperm and ova. Jing Qi, is passed on to us by our parents at the moment of conception. Jing provides the foundation for all human activity and is said to be the "root" of our vitality, or the primal energy of life and is closely associated with our genetic potential and the aging process. The quantity of “vital essence” at the moment of our conception is said to determine both our life span and the ultimate vitality of our life.

Over a period of time Jing is burned up in the body by life itself, and when jing is depleted below a level required to survive, we die. Our stress filled 24/7 life styles especially chronic and acute stress and excessive behavior, including overwork, excessive emotions, substance abuse, chronic pain or illness, and sexual excess (especially in men), burn up jing or vital essence prematurely.

The Second Treasure, ‘Qi’
Qi is the internal and external energy of human beings and is obtained from the air we breathe and the food we eat, Qi from our parents (jing), and the Qi that surrounds our body or is projected from our body (External Qi). Internal Qi, is the total amount of Qi inside our bodies and includes the Qi that circulates through our organs and meridians (Qi pathways)

The sum of modest lifestyle practices (correct eating, avoiding excesses, etc.), breathing properly, meditating, qigong exercises and studying one’s subtle physical, emotional and mental changes related to the environment all help regulate qi.

The Third Treasure ‘Shen’

Shen is the third and most important of the Three Treasures and can be described as Mind or Spirit. Shen directs Qi and reflects our higher nature as human beings. Chinese masters say that shen is the all-embracing love that resides in our heart. Shen has been described as “the spiritual radiance of a human being and is the ultimate and most refined level of energetics in the universe”.

Shen is not considered to be an emotion or even a state of mind. It presides over the emotions and manifests as all-encompassing compassion, and non-discriminating, non-judgemental awareness. Shen can be expressed as love, compassion, kindness, generosity, acceptance, forgiveness and tolerance.