Qigong is an exercise method that uses repeated sequences of movements to stretch the body (muscles, tendons, fascia) and open and close the joints increasing fluid movement (blood, synovial and lymph) and stability through structural alignment.
The word Qigong (also spelled Chi Kung / Chi Gong) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi (Chi) is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.
The second word, Gong (Kung), pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is developed through regular practice. In basic terms Qigong (Chi Kung) means developing the vital energy of the body, the mind and the heart with regular practice. It is a system developed and used for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality. The main methodology used to accomplish this is with deliberate breathing coordinated with specific body movements.
Qigong can be classified as health, martial, medical, or spiritual. All Qigong styles have three things in common: they all involve a posture, (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus. Practices vary from the soft internal styles like Taijiquan, Baguazhang & Xingyiquan; to the external, vigorous styles such as Hung Gar, Choy Li Fut and Shaolin.
Most Qigong forms can be easily adapted, even for the physically challenged and can be practiced by all age groups.
Qigong is not a a one stop cure all, but it is an extremely effective health care practice that can compliment virtually every other form of physical health care and therapy.. Many healthcare professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of alternative complementary medicine.
Qigong practice will build an awareness of and influences aspects of ourselves that are not accessible through traditional western forms of exercise. Within Qigong, there are both external movements (Wei Dan) and internal movements (Nei Dan). These internal movements are called neigong or "internal power". These internal neigong movements make qigong a superior health and wellness practice.
The internal movements also differentiate qigong from almost every other form of exercise that emphasizes prolonged aerobic endurance such as jogging, tennis, biking,) or that focus on muscular strength training such as Crossfit and weightlifting.
Most other forms of exercise do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture, the massaging of arteries or engagement of deep tissue anchors inside the body, nor do they emphasize the importance of adding mindful intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. When these elements are combined, the benefits increase exponentially.
Consistent practice of Qigong builds a deep internal resilience to stress through the repeated connection to the calm focus built by moving and breathing in a coordinated and relax fashion. With a regular personal practice, anyone can develop deeper awareness of their body, breath, and how the mind feels as it interacts with their body and emotional states leading to a personal language of self awareness.
In this course students will learn one of the original qigong sets first recorded roughly 3600 years ago in China - the Ba Duan Jin or 8 Pieces of Brocade. Alongside this versatile and profoundly effective qigong set are included stand alone qigong movements designed to deepen connection to the body and provide even more tools for anyone to strengthen and support their body's healing process.
