Qi Gong meditative gymnastics from China

Qi Gong is a type of meditative gymnastics from China, in which breathing, movement and posture are combined.

Similar to Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong is a type of meditative gymnastics from China, where breathing, movement, and posture are combined. Qi Gong means “Qi through breathing.” Qi (Traditional Chinese Medicine) life energy must be directed into the body through breathing. Movement sequences in Qi Gong consist of individual exercises. Each meridian (acupuncture) is activated by one of these exercises.

The origin and philosophy of qi gong

Movement exercises combined with breathing exercises and meditation were first used in China in the 11th century BC. mentioned. Later created scriptures describe different schools of Qi Gong. Qi Gong is practiced in medicine, martial arts, and as part of Buddhist and Taoist physical exercises (Tao = Chinese philosophy and religion). The “Five Animals Game” was famous by the Chinese surgeon Hua Tu. This is a movement exercise in which you imitate the natural movements of the five wild animals, tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. The “Five Animals Game” has been taught in many Qi Gong schools and has been developed stylistically. The five animals are assigned to the five elements according to their characteristics:

Razin Bear - Earth
Agile crane - metal
Graceful monkey - water
Powerful tiger - wood
Dynamic deer - fire

Over time, the "Five Animal Game" developed into a form of therapeutic gymnastics, which over time became of great importance for health care and strengthening the body. Qi Gong based on the “Five Animals Game” is still very popular in China today. Qi Gong is one of the few forms of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine that takes emotions into account. Since the movements act on individual meridians, they can exert a direct influence on the emotional states corresponding to the five meridians and elements:

Element...longitude

Wood.......liver/gallbladder

Fire........heart/small intestine

Earth.....spleen/stomach

Metal............lungs/colon

Water...kidney/bladder

Qi Gong technique

There are many traditional and modern forms of Qi Gong practice. Each has its own distinct features and effects, for example: Lying down: Lying down exercises are suitable for sick and weak people and help with sleep disorders. Sitting: Sitting exercises are used to strengthen the body. Standing exercises are usually performed with the feet planted in specific positions. These exercises are used to strengthen the body and mental focus. Walking: Exercises can always be performed while walking in two complementary and balanced ways. There are complex and simple sequences of movements, “hard” and “soft” exercises to develop strength, fast and slow movements, and exercises of great or small force. Different Qi Gong exercises can be further divided, for example: Postural exercises. Breathing exercises. With all the movements, one focuses on deep, even breathing to absorb the life force qi that flows through it. According to ancient written tradition from the 12th century, Qi is rooted in the feet, develops in the legs, is directed to the hips and runs through the fingers.

Use Qi Gong

Qi Gong exercises are practiced in China with different goals. Qi Gong plays a major role as a health promotion measure to prevent and treat diseases. Qi Gong is also used as a complementary exercise in conjunction with acupuncture. In addition, one practices Qi Gong in martial arts (wushu), in the field of theater, dance and sports. Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes Qi Gong to have a calming or tonic effect, for example: enhancing the body's ability to emotionally balance to focus serenity, strengthen blood circulation, and improve organ functions and metabolic processes. In Chinese clinics, Qi Gong is used in severe chronic diseases or after operations Concomitant treatment with medications and special diets.

Side effects
There are no known side effects of Qi Gong