Chi Gong (also Chi Kung or Qigong) is an ancient Chinese meditative practice that consists of techniques to exercise a person's Qi (vital energy), Jing (essence), Shen (spirit) and Yi (consciousness). Western exercise works from the outside in, focusing on muscular and skeletal development by applying stress and load to build strength, flexibility and endurance. Chi Gong, on the other hand, works from the inside out using concentration, breathing techniques and slow, graceful physical movements to promote the circulation of Qi within the body to connect the body with the spirit.
Breathing
According to Chi Gong, breathing is how energy is brought into your body. You extract energy from breath, storing it in your lower abdomen. The more energy you can extract and store in your abdomen, the better your health and physical condition. Due to stress, sedentary lifestyles and physical trauma, we develop tension blocks in the abdominal area that prevent energy from flowing and that lead to toxicity, organ dysfunction and illness. Learning properly breathe helps you to increase the amount and flow of energy within your body.
Visualization
Western science has recently acknowledged that mind does impact matter. Dr. Jonas Frisen, a stem cell biologist at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, has also determined that body tissues are in a constant state of renewal at different rates. Frisen theorizes that the average age of all of the cells in an adult human may be as young as 7 to 15 years. According to Chi Gong enthusiasts, when this regeneration does not match the rate of cellular damage and injury, illness and disease occur. Positive visualization is Chi-Gong's tool to enhance the body's self-regenerating (and self-curing) ability. In these exercises, you visualize healthy cells and organs to direct cells to be healthy and functioning as they were designed.
Meditation
Meditation is generally defined as a relaxing act of complete focus. You give your undivided attention to one thing during meditation and do not let anything interrupt it. Meditation may be thought of as a spiritual activity or as a relaxation technique. Within Chi Gong, meditation is a synergic tool, practiced with patience and sincerity, that is used to restore order; increase self-knowledge and awareness; and ultimately achieve harmony between your mind, body and spirit.
Posture
All Chi Gong practice involves a specific posture, moving or stationary, that adds the focus of meditation and visualization with breathing techniques to the physical movements. This creates a three-dimensional exercise program. The gentle, rhythmic movements of Chi Gong are designed to reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality and enhance the immune system. The Baduanjin is one of the most common Chi Gong posture techniques. Loosely translated as Eight Pieces of Brocade or Eight Silken Movements, its name refers to the eight individual movements within the exercise that resemble the silken quality of brocade.
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