- Chi Kung
- (Ch'i Kung, Qigong, Nei
Kung, Dao-Yin)
Chi Kung is the mother of all Chinese exercise,
both therapeutic and martial, as well as an
influence on the development of acupuncture and
Chinese massage. Although Chi Kung is a catch-all
phrase for hundreds of exercises, the fundamental
movements are seen time and time again. Chi
is the word for breath and vital force which
Traditional Chinese Medicine perceives as
responsible for health and vitality.
Chi Kung exercises use posture, movement and
awareness to circulate the breath evenly throughout
the body to promote abundant energy and natural
healing. Chi Kung is the root of and offers similar
health benefits as
Tai Chi, but the variety
of exercises allows more specific tailoring of
one's practice. Many of these exercises are easier
to learn than Tai Chi, and Chi Kung may offer the
most immediate opportunity to improve the way you
feel.
Chi Kung can be divided into a number of
categories differentiating passive from active and
external from internal. Passive, or quiet,
methods are recognized by most people as a form of
meditation. Meditation is
done in a comfortable postion and feels profoundly
still. Active Chi Kung appears more like exercise
and can range from gentle to physically
demanding.
External Chi Kung strengthens the muscles and
joints and stimulates acupuncture channels. The
Eight Piece Brocade is a good example of an
external chi kung working from the outside in,
coordinating the work of muscle, tendon, and
circulation to tone and detoxify the internal
organs. Internal Chi Kung focuses directly on the
deeper tissues and structure of the body. Standing
meditation is the internal Chi Kung par excellence,
developing the deep muscles, bones, and organs
while cultivating energy reserves to rebuild the
body from the inside out.
Meditation
is the practice of quietly focusing the mind in a
single direction. In Chi Kung, the mind
concentrates on the feeling of the posture and
breath. Giving the mind a tangible direction makes
it easier to set aside distractions. Reclining,
sitting, standing amd walking meditation develop a
deep sense of stillness and peace both enjoyable in
its own right and beneficial to Tai Chi and other
Chi Kung practice. Like deep, restful sleep,
meditation refreshes the mind and replenishes the
body.
Chi Kung I (a:
Looking Inward) (b: Developing Body-Mind)
Learn to listen to the body and allow it to
teach the mind. Develop the sensitivity and
feedback skills to discover and release hidden
tensions resulting in the coordination of internal
systems and natural vitality.
(a) Looking Inward: Swinging-Arms, I-Chuan
Standing Postures (Universal-Post,
Embracing-the-Center, Embracing-the-Jar),
Hundred-Steps-Exercise, Eight-Piece-Brocade and
Self-Massage
(b) Body-Mind: Four Posture I-Chuan Healing
System (Hold-the-Lens, Embrace-the-Jar,
Carry-the-Buckets, Standing-Four-Footed) and
Eight-Chi-Kung-Exercises
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