Basic concepts of Qigong for beginners
Qigong, pronounced chee-gung is from Chinese origin. Qi means energy while gong is about practice or work. It espouses a special type of exercise system that combines the discipline of the mind and body with the body’s force or the Qi. This is about the proper awareness of the energy that surrounds us. This Qi is likened to what is water is to fish. Harnessing this energy and controlling its flow provide better health and alternative healing by promoting and restoring balance.
It is an ancient Chinese tradition that is believed to be more than two thousand years old. It is basically a type of healing and an energy medicine. It utilizes the combination of different techniques such as breathing, gentle movement and meditation. The general aim is to cleanse and reinforce to allow the Qi or our life’s energy to circulate properly.
Qigong as an exercise system promotes the concepts of relaxation and better concentration of the mental and physical to better regulate and cultivate the spirit, body and mind energies. It focuses on the involuntary systems of the body such as the respiratory rate, blood pressure and the circulation of the blood throughout the body. Aligning these with the sky or nature is the best form to combat illnesses.
The good practice of this exercise promotes perfect health and better vitality. It is also believed that it advances a serene state of mind. Sometimes, it has also been confused with the more popular Tai Chi yet in reality, it is a style of Qigong. While some of the techniques focused the healing on particular parts of the body, Tai Chi or its other nameTaiji Quan is for the entire body system. However, in the same fashion of Qigong, the basic concept is to restore the body’s balance to treat diseases and combat health adversaries such as pollution and stress.
The fundamental principles include focus on proper posture as this is very important for better focus and relaxation of the mental plane. There are different postures which promote different healing properties. This could be practiced through the first step which is to regulate the body through the usual sitting position or the cross legged and even the half lotus posture. Standing, walking and even in a lying position, both having the back flat or a sideways position also requires the proper posture as the foundation for the next step which is about regulating the mind.
As the body slows down, it is easier to enter into the meditative state. It is usually begun with fixing the mind or concentrating at a specific point to get rid of all unnecessary thoughts. When this is settled, the focus is now on the breathing. Counting each breath and silently reciting words and phrases calms the mind. As everything becomes centered on the breathing, the practitioner gets in tuned with the respiration and even the circulation of the blood to the entire body.
Health benefits of Qigong include lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels and respiratory rate. It is also for better circulation of the blood and is good in boosting the immune system. Because of its focus on proper posture, it also provides better stamina, flexibility, balance and strength. As the body functions more efficiently, it also reduces chronic pain and tendency for anxiety and depression by boosting mental health. Moreover, it has been believed to promote longevity and age defying composure.
Qigong is also cost effective as this does not need equipments to get through the specific exercises. The only requirement is time. An hour or even just half hour of this exercise is enough investment towards the quest to perfect health, better vitality and tranquil mind and spirit for better concentration and alertness. However, the therapy is suggested as a complementary remedy and not as a substitute to the required treatment by a physician.