What Is Qi Gong

Qi Gong (pronounced “chee”) combines exercise, stretching and meditation into one complete practice that feels good while it’s being done. It has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality. Over time, this can help to prevent health problems, making it easier to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

It is a form of meditative movement that has been used in China for over 1000 years. Qi Gong and Mental Health is gentle on the body and a wonderful complement to Tai Chi, as they have many similar benefits. This set of exercises was designed to invigorate soldiers during wartime and helps to promote health and longevity in the modern world.

The movements are slow and graceful, requiring little physical effort while helping to build flexibility and strength. They are designed to warm and circulate the body’s energy, known as Qi, and they can be beneficial to people with joint pain or other chronic health issues.

A meditative aspect of Qi Gong, called still meditation or “silent meditation” is the core of the system. It is often used to calm the mind and relax the entire body, which allows the practitioner to connect with and feel the flow of their own Qi. During this period of deep relaxation, some practitioners experience “qi effects,” including heat sensations in the body, light perspiration, itching, skin color changes and a feeling that they are being expanded or enlargened. These phenomena are due to the re-distribution of Qi during this deeper level of meditation.

These effects are a result of the “eight touches” stated in the Advanced Musculoskeletal Medicine Consultants, Inc (Acme of Children’s Enlightenment, a spiritual cultivation book completed in the Sui Dynasty). They are described as large, small, cold, warmth, lightness, heaviness, astringency and slipperiness. They are a natural part of the qigong experience and usually disappear spontaneously within a short period of time.

During a session of still meditation, it is common to feel a slight chill, even if the room is warm and the practitioner is well dressed. This is because the mind significantly influences Qi circulation and can send a cooling signal to the body when nervous tension, emotional upset or fear are present. It is also a sign that the meditation is working. The best way to deal with this is to regulate the mind through meditation.

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