The Practice
Qi Gong (Tai Qi) ~ The Silent Dance
Creating Sacred Space Within
Unlike seated meditation customs, Tai-Qi and Qi Gong are "movement meditations". Rather than locating the focus of prayer/meditation inside our head, (our "mind" and thoughts only), Tai-Qi and Qi Gong locate the focus in our body and our movements. I think of it as embodying the Spirit. Where is Spirit located? It is in BOTH the mind and the body. It is BOTH inside of us and outside of us. The movements and breathwork are intended to connect mind and body - to connect inner Qi with outer Qi in harmonious flow. The movements are intentionally graceful and fluid. They are slow and steady, making continuous circles and spirals in wavelike connections from the beginning move to the end. Focusing on breath and body, these movements become like a mantra which takes our ego-mind away from past and future - (away from regret, worry and planning) - and into the peaceful and "awake" present.
WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qi Gong, pronounced che-kung comes from the Chinese words "Qi" meaning "Energy" plus "Gong”, meaning "work" or "practice".
We live in a field of Qi, (electrons, protons) "vital breath" or "life energy." Yet, like a fish in water or a bird in flight, we are unaware of the earths’ energy that supports us. We all want to “save” the earth. But are we aware of this earth? Are we one with this earth?
Qi Gong is the ancient Chinese art and science of becoming aware of this life energy and learning how to control its flow through a precise choreography of posture, movement, respiratory technique, and meditation. Like biofeedback, Qi Gong teaches psycho-physiological self-regulation; the student becomes aware of bodily functions conventionally considered involuntary-- blood pressure, respiratory rate, even the flow of blood and nutrients to internal organs-- and learns to restore a healthier balance. However, unlike biofeedback, no technical devices are needed. Qi gong is one of the most cost-effective self-healing methods in the world. The only investment needed is time, a half-hour to an hour each day; the dividends of better health, increased vitality, and peaceful alertness accrue daily and are cumulative.
Qigong is like a great river fed by four major tributaries: awareness, spirituality, medicine, and martial arts:
BENEFITS OF SELF-HEALING QIGONG
Cardiovascular
lower resting heart rate; normalized EKG, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
Respiratory
slower respiratory rate, improves gaseous exchange, significant benefits for asthma & bronchitis
Immune System
better targeting of antigens, significant anti-cancer effect
Circulation
improves microcirculation, prevents vascular spasms, very helpful for angina, migraine, and Reynaud's Syndrome (cold hands & feet)
Brain
improves cerebral blood flow, less incidence of stroke; reduction in frequency and intensity of seizure disorders; slow, high amplitude brainwaves suggest relaxed and integrated state of consciousness
Musculo-skeletal
improves posture, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility
Chronic Pain
significant pain reduction from all causes, including injury, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia
Mental Health
decreases: stress response, Type A, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, depression. Improves memory and interpersonal sensitivity
Longevity
improves: blood pressure, vital capacity, cholesterol and hormone levels, kidney function, mental acuity, vision and hearing, skin elasticity, bone density, immune function, digestion, balance, flexibility, strength, libido. Destroys free radicals (major cause of tissue degeneration) by stimulating activity of super oxide dismutase?
Vision
Many studies have demonstrated that vision improves because of the movements of Qi Gong
Anti-aging
Qi Gong has been used for centuries to maintain youth. It is sometimes called the meditation for immortality.
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