Get Email Updates from Google
Qiqong / Chi Kung: The Chinese Art of Breathing
Qiqong, (also known as chi kung, chi gong, ch’i kung, chi gung, qigong, qi qong,) or “Vapor-Achievement”, is an aspect of Chinese medicine involving the coordination of different breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body. Qigong is mostly taught for health maintenance purposes, but there are also some who teach it as a therapeutic intervention. Various forms of traditional qigong are also widely taught in conjunction with Chinese martial arts, and are especially prevalent in the advanced training of what are known as the Neijia (nei chia), or internal martial arts.
There are thought to be more than 3,300 different styles and schools of qigong. Below are just two stlyes demonstrated. Qigong relies on the traditional Chinese belief that the body has an energy field generated and maintained by the natural respiration of the body, known as qi. Qi means breath or gas in Mandarin Chinese, and, by extension, the energy produced by breathing that keeps us alive; gong means work or technique. Qigong is then “breath work” or the art of managing the breath to achieve and maintain good health, and especially in the martial arts, to enhance the energy mobilization and stamina of the body in coordination with the physical process of respiration.
Eight Piece Brocades Chi Kung
In this style of chi kung the martial aspect can clearly be seen. There is a demonstration followed by an explanation of the various movements. The description includes how the form affects the internal organs, which is the main purpose of many Traditional Chinese Medicine internal health forms.
Qigong Chi Kung: Six Healing Sounds
This video clip demonstrates a style of chi gung that combines the movements and breathing with vocalisations, known as healing sounds. As well as a practical demonstration.
Attitudes toward the basis of qigong vary markedly. Most Western medical practitioners, many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the Chinese government view qigong as a set of breathing and movement exercises, with possible benefits to health through stress reduction and exercise. Others see qigong in more metaphysical terms, claiming that breathing and movement exercises can influence the fundamental forces of the universe. An extreme form of the latter view was advocated by some participants in the Boxer Rebellion of the late 19th century who believed that breathing and movement exercises would allow them to ward off bullets.
Tweet Me!Recommended Reading
• Theory of Qigong, Chinese Martial Arts and Spirituality• Medical Qigong Treatment Today
• History of Qigong
• Criticisms and Controversies of Qigong
• Tai Chi Chuan Styles and History
