QI GONG
Qi Gong : the daoist art of Nourishing Life

Literally Qi gong means « Life Force Cultivation », it’s a recent term, dating back to the 1950s, which brings together all ancestral Asian methods to regulate Qi and maintain health.
Qi Gong works first on the superficial meridians (Primary Channels in TCM) and very much like acupuncture activating our vital energy to permeate our core being. Qi Gong uses breath as a vehicle to move Qi, either stimulating symmetrical or asymmetrical channels of energy (meridians) at the same time.
It is difficult to exactly define Qi due to its constant trans-formative nature, Qi always adapt according to its function and location. Like water to the earth Qi irrigates the entire human body through the meridians but not only, it is closely linked to the movements of blood, which carries the most material (dense) part of our energy.
For Eastern people, the state of health and well-being is closely related to the quality and state of our Qi. Imbalances and malfunctions can be explained by deficiencies, excesses or blockages of Qi.
Looking after oneself health means cultivating the quality and fluidity of Qi, through breathing, diet and energy practices. The energy arts (Qi Gong, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Yoga, Nei gong, internal martial arts, etc.) aim to stimulate, release and regulate the movements of energy through the body.
Definition
Considering its many forms, the current term of « Qi Gong » is not easy to summarize. However, a common definition tends to emerge : Qi Gong is a method to develop body and mind abilities to manifest via the San Bao or the the 3 treasures describe in Daoist philosophy which are : body or essence, energy or breath and mind or spirit.
Qi Gong is indeed based on the adjustment of the body, breath and spirit. The objective of the practice is to regulate and unify the 3 manifestations of a being, or San Bao (as describe above). It is therefore a training of body and mind involving physical, physiological and psychological aspect.
Regulating the body, breath and mind is not specific to Qi Gong (many other tradition and practice also include these three features). What is specific to Qi Gong is the sustained cultivation of those three qualities to achieve a state of unity called Rujing (entering a specific state of relaxation that affects both body & mind).
A brief history of qi gong
During its long history, Qi Gong has its roots in the shamanic roots of the Wu people. They are inspired by the natural reactions of man and animals to illness and pain : stretching, dancing, shaking, rubbing. Then these first practices of the shamans will evolve, gradually taking a more conscious and intentional form based on the training of the body and the mind. The term Qi Gong will be used very little in ancient times, but of course, thousands of schools practiced Qi Gong, in connection with the development of Buddhist, Confucian, Daoist schools, traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts under different terminologies : Jing Zuo, Dao Yin Zuo wang, Tu Na, Nei Gong…
The health benefits of Qi gong
- Improves cardiopulmonary function
- Strengthens the organs
- Regenerates and strengthens the energy system
- Calms the nervous system and promotes sleep
- Stimulates the circulation of fluids (blood, lymph, synovial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid)
- Harmonizes the whole body and calms the painful tensions
- Learn how to manage anxiety and emotion to fight stress
The author
Mohammed Saïah began his training in internal martial arts and Qi Gong/Nei Gong more than 35 years ago. He graduat from The French Federation of Qi Gong Teachers (FEQGAE), Chinese Manual Therapies (Zheng Gu Tui Na), Ba Gua Zhang (internal martial art) Black Belt 2nd Dan. He has been travelling all over the world to learn the Chinese healing/martial arts & has been teaching for more then 25 years. When he is not teaching you can find him writing on www.cours-qigong.fr (French Website).
To a mind that is still, the entire universe surrenders.
― Zhuangzi