Qi Gong/Chi-Kung (pronounced as chee-gung) is the study and exercise of enriching fundamental life-force– whether it’s physical health or mental health– by practicing an assorted number of unconventional methods. It bears a lasting, rich history in China and is considered a distinguished traditional practice. In fact, this particular practice dates back to about 5000 years ago! Originally containing six exercises which are remarkably labeled as Six Healing Sounds, Qi Gong comprises of harmonized sounds in pursuit of cleansing, re-energizing, and stabilizing the internal organs to shape optimal health.
But it doesn’t solely focus on sounds.
Qi Gong was once deemed as a type of therapeutic dance designed to preserve health. As a result of the deep-rooted conflicts man had with nature, they have eventually arrived at the conclusion that physical movements and several manners of breathing could help stimulate certain body functions. In the course of the Zhou dynasty, Lao Zi (creator of Taoism), composed certain techniques of breathing in his book, Tao De Jing (Classic on the Virtue of the Tao). The significance of qi increased in the progressive development of Chinese medicine and Qi Gong soon turned into one of the sources of Chinese medicine. It was also included in distinct concepts such as yin and yang and the five elements.
The first Buddhist Patriarch Bodhidharma, Da Mo, arrived in China to deliver sermons about Buddhism during the Liang dynasty. He was later named the ancestor of the Chinese Chan Zong sect of Buddhism. His teachings soon stretched out to Japan and from there, it became known as Zen meditation.
Meditation requires harmonious control of one’s mind to balance the flow of energy in one’s body. This explains why meditation is one of the most important Qi Gong practices. As soon as the energy has been stimulated, it will be driven to regulate with the motions of the mind, so that both of the mind and body can draw in the coordination and collective impact.
In the course of the Liang dynasty, it was determined that Qi Gong could be applicable for martial arts. Several peculiar forms of Qi Gong were established such as the Taichi Nei Dan (Internal Elixir) exercise. Later on during the Qing dynasty, Qi Gong practices deriving out of India, Japan and various more countries also developed outstanding prominence and recognition in China due to refined connection between the countries.
Most recently, curative experts and Qi Gong gurus have waded through to promote the practice for prevention methods that could aid mental and physical health. But due to the number of practices being put forth to the public, the most accessible practice is the scientific version which was merely constructed to conserve general health. It is not as diverse as the genuine Qi-energy that centralized in subjective, cultured tradition. Several training courses solely concentrate on textbook familiarity and have lost track of the efficient, intramural Qi-energy awakening, refinement, growth, and tranquil guidance.
Nevertheless, there are still Qi Gong experts around the world who continue to popularize the authentic techniques. They may not be the general population, but they still exist and are focused on improving the minds of their people.
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