WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qigong, very simply, is the attraction of vital energy through breathing,
posture, visualization, movement and meditation.
Qi is typically translated as life force energy. It is the central underlying
principle in traditional Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts. This
definition also includes the air we breathe and describes the relationship
between matter, energy and spirit.
Gong (or Kung) is often translated as cultivation or work/Skill. It includes
the concept of practice, skill, achievement and mastery. It is often used
to mean GongFu (Kung Fu) in a traditional sense of achievement
through great effort.
Combining the two words, QIGONG describes a system to cultivate and
enhance/balance life energy, especially for health and longevity.
To go deeper into the subject, Qigong is a martial art energy practice
that is the oldest documented practice dating back between 5,000 and
8,000 years, depending on what form of documentation we are talking
about.
The term Qigong was first promoted during the 1940’s through
the 1950’s to refer to a broad range of Chinese self-cultivation exercises
to emphasize health and scientific approaches, while de-emphasizing
spiritual practices, mysticism, and elite lineages, as Qigong does not
require any specific religious beliefs or dogmas.
