► What is Chi Kung? How it works? What are your benefits?

Do you know what Qi Gong is or Chi Kung? Chi is energy. Kung is mastery. This millennial and therapeutic practice translates into an art of cultivating energies and making them circulate in a balanced and harmonious way in our body.

Learn about this practice, its benefits and some initial techniques.

What is Chi Kung?

Chi Kung (also called Qi Gong) is a powerful type of health exercise, practiced for centuries by millions of Chinese people.

It is based on repetitions of very precise sets of movements, specifically designed to benefit health on many different levels.

Qi Gong is therapeutic, easy to learn and enjoyable to do. A few minutes of practice can have an invigorating and rejuvenating effect.

Regular practice brings a profound strengthening effect to the entire body and its various systems (nervous, digestive, respiratory, skeletal-muscular, hormonal, gynecological, etc.).

Its ability to help heal a wide variety of chronic and acute injuries and illnesses has been the subject of several research programs led by Chinese medical authorities.

History of Chi Kung

The origins of Chi Kung date back thousands of years, probably from ceremonial dances performed by tribes in various parts of China.

It is believed that specific dance rhythms and movements were developed in order to strengthen the dancers, both physically and mentally, and to ward off illness.

Over time, the original dance moves were systematized, creating health exercises that could be practiced every day.

It is said that one of China’s legendary founding emperors, Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), practiced Chi Kung daily. As a result, he lived well for over a hundred years.

Later, during the hectic war period of the States of China (419 BC – 220 AD), many Chinese sages and scholars developed various practices and philosophies.

Among them were alchemists, who attempted to use Chi Kung, along with diets, herbs, and regulated sexual practices, as a means to achieving immortality. It was reported that many of them lived to a remarkable age.

One of the key insights they left behind was that the “elixir of life” resides within each of us. By cultivating it regularly, we can all achieve health and longevity.

Since then, several systems of Chi Kung have emerged, including Baduanjin, which, today, is still one of the most commonly practiced sets.

They are generally attributed to General Yue Fei (1177 – 1279) who is said to have developed them as a way of training his army. It is also said that thanks to these powerful exercises, he was never defeated.

Over the millennia, Qi Gong has been practiced by intellectuals, monks, warriors, and ordinary people. Basically, the exercise is practiced for three different purposes: martial, medical or meditative.

What is the purpose of Chi Kung?

The purpose of Chi Kung is to promote the movement of Qi (energy) in the body – hence the name Qi Gong. This is done by opening certain doors and stretching and twisting the energy channels.

A key point in Chi Kung practice is relaxation and deep breathing, both prerequisites for allowing Qi to flow.

Some Chi Kung movements are very smooth, others more vigorous. There are very large and expansive movements, others are more subtle, almost imperceptible. All are different and have a very specific effect on the body and mind.

The more you practice, the more you can understand the purpose of each movement. Thus, the practice of Qi Gong becomes more and more enjoyable.

People who perform the practice claim that Chi Kung has a powerful effect on the mind, body and spirit. Reported benefits include increased overall health and well-being, reduced levels of stress, and a more balanced view of life’s possibilities.

Qi Gong can be practiced as a discipline in its own right or as a perfect complement to Tai Chi training, for example.

Benefits of Chi Kung

The benefits of Qi Gong, or Chi Kung, are diverse, powerful, and can be felt on many levels. Below are some of the main benefits of the practice:

• Harmonises, strengthens and has a healing effect on the functioning of all internal organs and bodily systems;
• Increases the supply and flow of energy throughout the body;
• Helps in rejuvenation;
• Increases longevity;
• Induces calm mental and emotional states.

Initially, many movements focus on gently opening and stretching the joints and muscles in the body, releasing tension that has often been present for years.

By increasing the flow of blood and energy, they help to fully nourish all parts of the body, one of the benefits of Chi Kung.

Many people report that they feel very relaxed and energized after a Chi Kung session and that they sleep soundly that night.

According to Chinese medicine, energy relating to the body’s internal organs flows around the extremities of the body – the hands and feet. So, by stretching the arms and legs in specific movements, the health of Organs internal organs can be improved.

Breathing in Qi Gong is very important. It should be relaxed, slow and deep, originating from the diaphragm. This type of breathing has a very calming and balancing effect on the mind. This is crucial to combating the effects of worry and stress.

These are just some of the benefits of Qi Gong that you can experience in the early stages of the practice. As you gradually become more aware of your body, you will begin to feel other, more subtle and refined effects.

Chi Kung Movements

See below for some Chi Kung moves for beginners.

baduanjin

This is a set of 8 simple exercises that have been practiced unchanged throughout China for nearly 1,000 years.

Originally, it was used by the Chinese army to give strength and health in severe adverse conditions.

Nowadays, the set is performed to invigorate and strengthen the entire body, including the internal organs.

This set takes about 10 minutes to make and can be done daily.

Ershibashi (28 Qi Gong Steps) (1st part)

This is a famous Qi Gong sequence whose smooth, flowing movements are based on Tai Chi. Each simple movement has many particular health benefits.

Tai Chi breaths

There are 8 simple exercises that help develop body awareness and Qi sensation.

Elementary Breaths

These are fundamental visuals and breathing exercises that help to purify the mind and heart. They help release anxiety and turn negative emotions into positive ones.

Zhan Zhuang

This is a sequence of standing meditation postures, which is fundamental to the practice of Chi Kung.

Practiced regularly, Zhan Zhuang poses help to develop concentration and mental and physical strength. They are the basis of the development of internal energy.

Once you have developed a certain skill level performing the above sets, there are other more advanced moves. These include Yi Jin Jing, Coiled Breathing, Meridian Qi Gong and others.

How to learn Chi Kung?

Did you feel like starting to do Chi Kung, but you have no idea where to take classes? Do not worry. It is possible to learn this ancient technique without leaving your home. Just sign up for Online Chi Kung Course – Qi Gong.

Even if you have never practiced Martial Arts or Chi Kung, know that you have incredible healing power; it is the energy of nature called Chi. In the Online Course Chi Kung – Qi Gong you will learn step by step how to master and control this incredible force.

You will be able to practice these techniques in your daily life and be an energy healing therapist for yourself and others.

This is a fully online course and the most complete you will find. In addition, you will have 24-hour access and will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

If you sign up now, you still get 3 special bonuses:

• Energy Healing Chi Kung;
• Chi Kung for Moving Meditation: Energy Ball;
• Chi Kung for energy purification.

With these bonuses, you will optimize your learning. In less than 10 minutes you will be able to use Chi Kung practices to eliminate some of your everyday problems.

Want more gifts? we give you!

In the video below, you have access to a free Chi Kung class with Professor Otávio Leal.