Qi Gong for Vitality

Do you want more energy, less stress, fewer aches and pains??

If you do then you’re in the right place!

 

There are many forms of “healing” nowadays that it is overwhelming. It is difficult to figure out what actually helps you feel healthy, and what is all just a bunch of hype. I would like to present to you some information on Qi Gong practice that anybody can do to feel healthy, strong, calm, and full of life and energy!

In ancient China there was a practice called Qi Gong, pronounced “chee gung” that was taught to build the energy, strength, and life force of a person.  It was originally developed by a monk from India named Da Mo (Bhoddhi Darma).
When Da Mo came to China he saw the terrible state of health the monks at a Buddhist temple were in while they were trying to meditate.  He saw that they were sick, weak, overweight, tired, and lacked concentration.

He taught the monks the simple qi gong exercises and within a short time their health improved drastically, their energy improved and they were able to continue their spiritual work.
Since then Qi Gong has been practiced throughout China, Japan, Taiwan and Asia.  Asia’s greatest leaders have hired Qi Gong masters to teach them how to live and age gracefully.
Qi Gong has remained hidden in secrecy from outsiders for hundreds of years. It has evolved in some ways but has retained most of the original teachings and form.

Qi gong is simple, easy, gentle on the body, and anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you have aches and pains, injuries, or tension qi gong can help you:

 

  • increase energy
  • prevent & decrease the effects of aging
  • improve memory and brain function
  • increase metabolism for weight loss
  • reduce blood pressure, stress and anxiety
  • uplift depression
  • decrease hormonal imbalances (including menopause)
  • increase libido in both men and women
  • heal illness
  • lubricate joints
  • improve balance and coordination
  • strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • increase flexibility
  • improve circulation

Once you learn the basics of Qi Gong you can practice anywhere at home, at work, outside, inside, as long as you have enough room to stretch your arms out without hitting anything (or anyone!).

 

 


Qi Gong resources

If you are new to Qi Gong you may be inspired to learn as much as you can about the ancient practice. There quite a few good books out there but I might caution you to not overwhelm yourself with too much information.

In wushu (performance kung fu) there is  a term called “Flowery Fists.” It refers to techniques that look beautiful, like a flower, but don’t really accomplish anything. I had a teacher tell me that my movements were “so beautiful, like a flower!” only to realize years later that it was an insult! Information can be very “flowery” as well and I suggest you use your own reason and experience as you explore Qi Gong.

I gravitate towards experience rather than poetic translations. Most of my teachers lived, and breathed Qi Gong and you could see and feel it the moment they began their practice. I would encourage you to do the same- practice. Practice lots so that you discover the “secrets” of Qi Gong yourself!

Having said that I do refer back to these books and I find them packed with wonderful stories, and great explanations  of the nature of Qi. Check your local library to see if you can find some of these titles or you can find them on Amazon.

The Power of Qi by Ken Cohen is a very good book to read. He explains the concept of Qi very clearly.

 

Wong Kiew Kit is a very thorough researcher and does a good job speaking to a Western audience. He has several books and here are a few of them. Depending on interest, perhaps I could review them in more depth later on.

Chronicles of the Tao

This is a true story of a man who lived in the Chinese martial arts world. It shows the progress of “fighting” to spiritual development quite nicely.

 

 


The difference between Tai Chi and Qi Gong

When watching someone perform Qi Gong one might think they are doing Tai Chi. There is a significant difference between the two.

Tai Chi is:

- usually 24, 48, or 108 moves that must be remembered in sequence
- firstly a martial art used for self defense that is typically slowed down to practice for health purposes
- because it is “circular” as opposed to “linear” it is good for the joints and safe on the body
however:
- many people find the many moves difficult to remember
- you require a large, open space to practice
- requires supervision to really get the most out of your practice
- requires a lot of time to become really good

Qi Gong is:
-designed for building health, energy, and vitality
-easy to learn
-requires very little space (as long as you can stretch your arms above and around you!)
-can be practiced standing or sitting
-natural form of movement (easy to progress quickly on your own)
-gentle on the body but extremely effective in moving energy blockages

I have personally learned and practiced tai chi (yang short form, chen long form) and quite enjoy it. However, I have seen that in order to become skilled enough to gain the health benefits takes several months, even a couple of years.If you have the time, space, and access to a good teacher Tai Chi is fantastic. If you want to get health benefits quickly I suggest doing Qi Gong. Many people who do Tai Chi love it and have the time and space for it. Qi gong can be done when you don’t have time or space! I actually will do Qi Gong in my office as long as I have room enough to stretch my arms around me without hitting anything.

This routine was developed to get the most health benefits, including more energy, less stress, and reduced pain, in the quickest amount of time.
Being only 18 minutes long means that you can easily fit the “Qi Gong for Health Vitality and Longevity” dvd into any busy schedule.


Qi Gong for Vitality DVD sample


18 Minute Routine

Why 18 minutes?
Our lives are busy.
If you expect to stick to a routine it must be easy and convenient. It must fit into your lifestyle in a practical and realistic way. If it takes too much time then we are apt to “fall off the wagon” because it requires too much of a commitment. I believe in being realistic. If you are truly going to reap the full benefits of Qi Gong, then you must practice regularly. Incorporating a daily 18 minute routine is more attainable and realistic than attending an hour long class everyday. In order to lead a balanced life, we must make the practice of Qi Gong fit seamlessly into our day. Through careful practice and consideration, I have developed a routine that focuses on the most effective health exercises in 18 minutes.  I have chosen the most important exercises that produce the strongest and most powerful health effects.
At the end of 18 minutes your energy will be flowing and circulating smoothly!  If you practice everyday, or every second day you will feel the benefits within 10 days!


Why does Qi Gong work?

Sometimes it can be difficult to understand how and why the practice of Qi Gong works, especially if we have some knowledge of how the body works. Traditionally Qi Gong is explained through the concept of Qi. Qi is energy that flows throughout the body. If you are healthy your Qi is flowing smoothly. If you are unhealthy, sick, in pain, stressed, anxious, etc. your Qi is stagnant or blocked. Every single illness is caused by Qi stagnation. If you were to visit an acupuncturist, or a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist they would find out where exactly your Qi is blocked and use some therapy to move it. As an acupuncturist I can tell you that the “sicker” a person is the more Qi stagnation they will have. My job is to find it and get it moving. Qi Gong powerfully moves Qi. There are many forms of Qi Gong but this 18 Minute routine is designed to move Qi in all meridians throughout the entire body. Therefore after practicing Qi Gong, the Qi will be flowing smoothly through all the meridians. Now, if you have been off balance for awhile it will take some time to get your QI moving and keep it moving. I have seen many people from all over the world get remarkable results from a daily Qi Gong practice!


Qi Gong for Health Practitioners

As an acupuncturist I see patients results improve drastically when they start doing Qi Gong.

 

 

 

 

 

I strongly suggest other practitioners such as:

  • acupuncturists
  • registered massage therapists
  • chiropractors
  • physiotherapists
  • energy body workers
  • homeopaths
  • naturopaths
  • nurses
  • care aids
  • dentists
  • Pranic healers
  • osteopaths
  • counselors
  • Reiki practitioners
  • hypnotherapists
  • herbalists

encourage their patients to do the same.

Why?

Even though we all have different beliefs as about the true ’cause’ of disease we can all agree that stress play a major role. If you are stressed, you are or will be sick. There is more research that comes out every year that proves what we already know- stress is not good for us.

When a patient starts practicing Qi Gong they start to bring down stress levels on their own. When they are less stressed any therapy will work better.

When a patient is really stressed sometimes it can take close to an hour of acupuncture before their qi is moving smoothly and they are relaxed. When patients practice Qi Gong (just the 18 minute routine) they can have an endorphin release (that ‘feel good’ sensation similar to after you’ve had a good workout or great laugh)  within 10 minutes.

If you are a doctor or practitioner please feel free to contact us if you would like to supply the Qi Gong for Vitality DVD in your healing space. We offer special pricing on bulk purchases so that you can empower all of your patients and improve your clinical results!

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