Qi Gong – Origin and Benefits

History of Qi Gong or Chi Kung

 Qi Gong also known as Chi Kung or Chi Gung is one of the oldest Chinese discipline involving mind body spirit exercises dating back to 1000 years and beyond. Qi or Chi means vital force and gong/ kung means accomplishment, skill, practice or training of the chi. Based on the historical evidence the origin of Qigong may be attributed to not one person or culture, but to the different era of the Chinese history. The name Qi gong only came into existence in the twentieth century. Earlier it was known as Dao Yin, which meant ‘leading and guiding the energy’. Qigong underwent many name changes with time, since it evolved through a journey expanding over centuries, all the way up to the current day Qi Gong. There are many pieces of evidence pointing to the origin of this age-old discipline. Many historical figures including kings and philosophers are recorded in ancient Chinese literature as the pioneers of chi kung and its different forms.

Qi Gong and The Vital Force

There has been archeological research that provides evidence stating Qi Gong had roots in early shamanism. The meditative practices and exercises are compared to animal dance movements performed by certain people in olden days, to encounter extreme climates and also to ward off evil. The famous I Ching or the Book Of Change, considered to be the oldest Chinese classical text, mentions the presence of chi/ the vital force. The book explains the relationship between Heaven, Earth and Man. Not only this, it also reveals a close relationship between the basic postures of T’ai chi and the hexagrams of the I Ching. Chronologically Qigong is older than T’ai chi. Qigong is a part of T’ai chi. This also means Qigong is an ancient practice that existed even before the compilation of the famous I Ching or the Book of Changes.

Taoism and Buddhism

Some roots of Qigong are considered to be existing in Taoism. Lao Tzu the founder of Taoism, in his famous classic ‘Tao Te Ching’, describes certain breathing exercises of Qigong. One historical record attributes the origin of Qigong to Bodhidharma. Around 6th century BC a Hindu prince named Bodhidharma who adopted Buddhism and converted into a Buddhist monk traveled from India to China, he was also the person who introduced Chen Buddhism to China and later was credited as the founder of martial arts at the Shaolin Temple.It is believed that he introduced a set of exercises combining breath with gentle body movements and visualization as a form of meditation to help the students and monks of the Shaolin Temple. The  aim of this practice was primarily to gain focus, relax the mind and improve their combating skills. Till today majority of martial arts training comprise of Qi Gong exercises at the beginning as well at the commencement of various forms. Qigong helps to access the stillness, focus, and relaxation required to  create a strong base for any and every martial arts training.

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Qi Gong Forms and Exercises

Qi Gong is not just a single set of  exercise, rather it comprises of many forms that are practiced as a part of the diverse discipline, that it is. There are about 75 qigong forms found in ancient literature and approximately 56 contemporary forms currently in practice worldwide. Not undermining subtle variations that exist even within a single form of Qi Gong based on the school of philosophy or the Chinese dynasty under whose influence it gained recognition. There are variations within various forms or exercise sets which are characteristic of the creativity and unique style of various masters who may have either developed the form or modified it. Such as is the case with most of the contemporary forms practiced in many countries today.

The basic difference between T’ai Chi and Qigong is that T’ai Chi is a warrior or martial art form whereas Qigong is a meditation in motion gentle yet powerful.

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Qi Gong – Meditation and Exercise Health Benefits

Qigong doesn’t require a specific skill set or a certain physique to practice. There are exercises that people of all ages can practice. Qigong promotes healing at many levels, as a preventive medicine and as a tool for self-healing. It also helps in promoting longevity and slows the aging process. The forms of qigong or set of qigong exercises that are widely used the world over are primarily based on the foundation of Chinese medicine that involves the movement or flow of chi or life force along the twelve major meridians or energy channels and other energy points within the energy body. The energy Channels and points cannot be seen or located in the physical body by any medical equipment or scanning machine for they are present in the etheric body, which is the energy body that closely enveloped our physical body not just from outside but from inside, including various body organs, for example, the heart, the lungs, the kidney, the liver, the intestines, the spleen etc. The energy channel or meridians and the numerous energy points, correspond to all the physical organs as well as mental attributes and emotional components and their respective functioning or malfunctioning that gets manifested in physical form or is experiences emotionally by any person in the physical world, which could be in the form of serious diseases or physical ailment and also psychological disorders, giving rise to stress, depression and anxiety. Qigong helps gradual melting of nerve blockages as well as cleansing and balancing the flow of chi through the energy pathways and meridians which directly influences the physical body and flow of body fluids.

My Experience with Qigong

My first encounter with chi gong happened in 2015, during my one and a half years stay in southern China. I was quite an alien to the words T’ai Chi and Qigong and even more so when those words are spoken in Chinese than English. I was introduced to T’ai chi and Qigong by a group of Chinese women who were in regular practice at a city park in South China. The park was much a practice  ground for numerous T’ai chi, Qigong, dance and martial art Forms. This particular ladies group was the one that I was most drawn to, out of the many vibrant and interesting Forms practiced through every section or at every corner of the park.  Not being able to converse with them in their language or having anybody to understand my language, never came in my way to practicing Qigong.

It was the discipline, practice and my interest and fondness for it that brought me into contact with the deep spiritual side of Qigong. Out of the many forms that I practiced for over a year, I chose one to be my favorite, that I never gave up practicing, eversince. I still enjoy reading and learning about different forms of Qi Gong which are not very tough but require practice and dedication. The more complicated ones require the presence and guidance of a master or mentor.

Qi Gong helps me stay physically fit, emotionally balanced and stress free.Years ago, before I started Qigong I used to suffer from cervical spondylitis, with regular practice of Qigong, it seems to have vanished now. I not only feel and look younger but I also feel more energetic and confident of myself. The movements appear very simple and effortless to any onlooker, but it’s the person in practice who knows what difference it makes to their lifestyle and wellbeing. There is a spiritual awakening and inner wisdom that comes along as a side reward of meditating in movement.

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