Chi kung benefits and contraindications Chi kung, also called qigong, is an increasingly popular form of traditional Chinese medicine that is over 4,000 years old.
In this sense, there are written records that refer to Qi (vital energy) and its health benefits that are approximately 3,300 years old.
Throughout Chinese history, many of that culture’s famous physicians were also qi-gong masters. For example, Hua Tuo (AD 141-208) devised movements that were similar to the movements of five different animals: the tiger, the deer, the bear, the monkey, and the bird. These five animal movements had a profound influence on the development of dynamic qi-gong practices.
Likewise, Li Shizhen (1518-1593 AD), a renowned physician and pharmacologist of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), stated in his book, Qi Jing Ba Mai Kao (A Study on the Eight Additional Channels), that “ Internal conditions and channels can only be perceived by those who can see things with an inner vision.» This famous thesis describes the relationship between qi-gong and the meridians. The book became a beginner’s guide at the time.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have contributed to the development of chi kung over the centuries, making it more practical and widely applicable. It is one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, the others being acupuncture and moxibustion, therapeutic massage and bone fixation, and herbal medicine.
However, we wonder what is chi kung or qigong in reality? Chi kung benefits and contraindications? Let’s see the answers below:
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Chi kung benefits and contraindications
What is chi kung and its benefits
The word chi kung is a Chinese expression meaning «energy cultivation» or «working with life energy.» It is an ancient system of postures, exercise, breathing techniques, and meditation designed to strengthen the body’s qi.
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, qi is the fundamental energy responsible for health and vitality.
Chi kung or qigong, practiced daily, is considered a natural remedy by increasing overall health and well-being, as well as preventing disease and promoting recovery. longevity. It can be used to increase energy and reduce stress.
In China, it is associated with other medical therapies for many chronic disorders: asthmaallergy, AIDS, cancer, headache, hypertensiondepression, mental illness (such as panic attacks, bipolarityamong others), cerebrovascular accidents, coronary disease and obesity, among others.
Basic concepts
In Chinese thought, qi or chi is the fundamental energy of the Universe. It is invisible but is present in air, water, food, and sunlight. In the body, qi is the invisible life force that sustains life. We are all born with inherited amounts of qi, and we can also get it from the food we eat and the air we breathe. In qigong, it is believed that the breath contributes most of the acquired qi, since the body uses air more than any other substance.
The balance of our physical, mental and emotional capacities also affects the natural levels of qi in the body.
Qi travels through the body along channels called meridians. There are 12 main meridians, which correspond to the 12 main organs as defined by the traditional Chinese system: lung, large intestine, stomach, spleenheart, small intestine, urinary bladderliver, kidney, gallbladder, pericardium, and «triple warmer» (entire torso region).
Each organ has an associated qi, and each organ interacts with particular emotions on a mental level. Qigong techniques are used to improve the balance and flow of energy through the meridians, thus increasing the overall amount of qi. In the philosophy of qigong, the mind and the body are not separate, unlike in Western medicine. In qigong, the mind is present in all parts of the body and can be used to move qi through it.
Yin and yang are also important concepts in qigong. The Universe and the body can be described by these two separate yet complementary principles, which are always interacting in opposite ways and influencing each other.
One goal of qigong is to balance yin and yang within the body. Strong movements are balanced by soft ones, movements to the left by movements to the right, internal techniques by external ones, and so on.
qigong practice
There are thousands of qigong exercises. Those that are used specifically can vary according to the teacher, the school and the objective of the expert. Qigong is used for physical exercise, as a martial art, and commonly for health and healing. With internal qigong, people increase their own energy and health.
Some qigong masters are capable of external qigong, whereby energy from one person is passed to another for healing. This transference may seem strange to Western logic, but in the world of qigong, there are some amazing cases of healing and extraordinary abilities demonstrated by its teachers. These usually have a deep understanding of TCM and healing concepts.
There are basic components of internal qigong sessions, which require warm-up and exercises at the end. Qigong consists of postures, movements, breathing techniques, and mental exercises. Postures can involve standing, sitting, or lying down. Movements include stretching, slow movements, quick jerks, jumps, and leans. The poses and movements are designed to strengthen, stretch and tone the body to improve energy flow.
Breathing techniques include deep abdominal breathing, chest breathing, relaxed breathing, and holding the breath. They use breath sounds for each of the six organs’, as these sounds are believed to stimulate and heal the organs.
Various Qigong exercises appear in the table above.
Meditation and mental exercises favor the mind and body. They are usually visualizations that focus on different parts of the body, words, ideas, objects, or energy that flows along the meridians.
Discipline is an important part of qigong. The exercises must be done every morning and every afternoon, and the sessions can last from 15 minutes to several hours. Beginners must practice between 15-30 minutes twice a day and must attend class once or twice a week.
preparations
Qigong should be practiced in a clean and pleasant environment, preferably outside, in the open air. Wear loose and comfortable clothing. It is necessary to remove all elements of jewelry and costume jewelery. People who are going to start can prepare by practicing it at regular times each day to promote discipline.
Qigong masters recommend that students develop rhythms of life that promote balance, moderation, proper rest, and a healthy diet, all of which are facets of qigong practice.
Chi kung disadvantages and contraindications
Beginners should learn from the experienced teacher, as performing qi gong exercises in the wrong way causes injury.
They should not be practiced on a full or completely empty stomach, nor in extreme temperature conditions, as it can have negative effects on the body’s energy systems. Women who are menstruating or pregnant should perform only a few exercises.
Possible contraindications or disadvantages during or after qigong exercises by beginners or performed incorrectly are nausea or Vertigodry mouth, fatigue, headache, insomnia, fast heartbeat, heaviness or numbness in certain areas of the body, emotional lability, anxiety, or decreased concentration. They usually disappear with rest and proper instruction from an experienced teacher.
If you want to know more about chi kung benefits and contraindications, you can ask your question in the comment section.
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