Qi gong

Qi Gong is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial arts training. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, Qi Gong is traditionally viewed by some as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (chi), translated as "life energy".

History

Qi Gong has a long history in China as a type of traditional exercise for maintaining health and fitness. The Qi Gong exercises known as the "Six Healing Sounds" are an example of how movement, breath, and sound can all be used to stimulate the internal organs and achieve good health.

Practice

Qi Gong practice typically involves rhythmic breathing coordinated with slow stylized repetition of fluid movement, a calm mindful state, and visualization of guiding qi through the body. While implementation details vary, generally Qi Gong forms can be characterized as a mix of four types of practice: dynamic, static, meditative, and activities requiring external aids.

Health Benefits

Many practitioners of Qi Gong report a variety of health benefits, from improved cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions to better balance and stress relief. However, the effectiveness of Qi Gong as a health benefit has not been fully established by scientific research.

See Also

• Tai Chi
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Meditation

References

Qi gong Resources
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