Qigong

Either I am overlooking it, or there are no posts on the art of Qigong. Is there anybody out there with an opinion about it good or bad? I am going to be starting it Monday morning. I feel sence it helps you gather your Qi (chee/force) and control it, it might be something Jedi need to know about.

I hear it is very good to learn. I dont know a lot about it so i dont think i can have a real opinion on it. i just heard it was ggood

I hear it is very good to learn. I dont know a lot about it so i dont think i can have a real opinion on it. i just heard it was ggood

Very well, and honestly, put. Thank you!

I practice Qigong, Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu, Southern White Crane Kung Fu (Ancestral Crane), and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
Dr. Yang has a variety of material on the subject and forums for Qigong and Kung Fu. I've found people there to be most friendly.
www.ymaa.com

\"What is Qigong?
Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.

The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.

The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.

Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions.

Qigong practices can be classified as martial, medical, or spiritual. All styles have three things in common: they all involve a posture, (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus. Some practices increase the Qi; others circulate it, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit Qi to help heal others. Practices vary from the soft internal styles such as Tai Chi; to the external, vigorous styles such as Kung Fu. However, the slow gentle movements of most Qigong forms can be easily adapted, even for the physically challenged and can be practiced by all age groups.

Like any other system of health care, Qigong is not a panacea, but it is certainly a highly effective health care practice. Many health care professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of alternative complementary medicine.

Qigong creates an awareness of and influences dimensions of our being that are not part of traditional exercise programs. Most exercises do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture nor do they emphasize the importance of adding mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. When these dimensions are added, the benefits of exercise increase exponentially.

The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

Those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age and helps speed recovery from illness. Western scientific research confirms that Qigong reduces hypertension and the incidence of falling in the aged population. One of the more important long-term effects is that Qigong reestablishes the body/mind/soul connection.

People do Qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit.

When these three aspects of our being are integrated, it encourages a positive outlook on life and helps eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors. It also creates a balanced life style, which brings greater harmony, stability, and enjoyment

There are a wide variety of Qigong practices. They vary from the simple, internal forms to the more complex and challenging external styles. They can interest and benefit everyone, from the most physically challenged to the super athlete. There are Qigong classes for children, senior citizens, and every age group in between. Since Qigong can be practiced anywhere or at any time, there is no need to buy special clothing or to join a health club. \"

i'm no master on the subject but here is a quick starting point for those of you interested in qigoing or chigong:

Qigong is not difficult it can be learned by anyone and has endless uses, it can be used in healing of self and others simply as a health practice a way to clear your mind or collect energy

for starters:

its helpful if you can find a cool quite place to start learning where you are comfortable and have time to try it out

sit cross legged and close your eyes (after reading this of course)
your going to be breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth take deep relaxing breaths close your mouth when you inhale and bring your tongue up so it touches the top or pallet of your mouth this is not stressful or forced when you exhale do so through your mouth letting your tongue drop repeat the tongue thing may feel odd at first but becomes very easy and mindless it should almost feel like a vacuum when you breath in your tongue just rises

after a bit of practice and experimentation your notmal breathing will begin to resemble qigong breathing - also you can practise qigong while doing other activities see what you like and dont try and force anything

hope this helps and if you have more questions let me know i will try my best to help
-the fool

I'm going to revitalize this thread rather than start a new one.

I started Qigong a short time before finding this place and have been studying it now as part of my training.

WOW and I mean WOW do I feel tune with Qigong. I'll be writing about this in my journel but we can't discuss it there. I welcome intelligent discussion and questions. Most of what I'll be writing will be a series of personal observations as I work with this...

I'm aproaching this intuitivly and gradually. My movements are guided by where I feel my awarness is needed for relaxtion &or where I need healing. My thoughts focus on gathering energy and moving it around my body. My awareness of what I'm doing wrong with my body has increased and motivated for better care for myself that goes beyond eat better and get more exercise.

All my life my exercise focused on aerobics and strength, heart, lungs, muscle. I have taken for granted my other organs would take care of themselves. That explains a lot of my physical and mental weakness that I was atributing to getting older. My Qigong, at this time, focuses on my "power plant" from my lower abdomin to my throat and on relaxation/stress reduction as stress creates tension, which blocks energy from moving around my body.

I didn't find visualizing or using self-defence (they felt very powerfull and energizing) moves as satisfying as energy visualization and movement. They feels very good! I feels gentelness, compassion and positive. My hands get warm and I have felt the need to study energy healing, acupressure and remote intention. More about that in other threads as I get deep into them.

My father was a great warrior in WW II. He died when I was 10 of service "connected injuries." My brother was a corporate warrior (executive) he died at age 56. Way too young. I'm am very much like them in many ways physically and personality. I've always felt drawn to the strength and vigor of the warrior. The energy expenditure from conflict was exausting, draining and difficult for me to recover from. My feelings from doing Qigong seems to be guiding me away from that and toward healing. Qigong replenishes energy.

That explains some my being a reluctant warrior and maybe the early deaths of my father and brother that I have so much in common with? They may have been healers in the wrong job. Intending to do good with incorrect actions. My father had nightmares and never wanted his boys to go to war. My brother was a dominate, authoritave, agressive but good hearted manager.

Right now I practice 15-20 min almost everyday depending on how I feel. Focusing on healing my achs and pains and strengthing my weakness. Of course focused on relaxiation especially my neck, face and head, my primary tension spots. When I am free of tension from the neck up my body more deep relaxes. Several times a day I stand, breath and relax with some minor rythmic body swaying movement.

To be continued as I discover and learn more. I gotta work on my journal too.

mmm. I have tried Spring Forest Qigong for like a month before.. it was last summer (2012). I wish I had kept going. I probably will pick it back up soon.

it seems to be the ultimate in compassionate energy movement, from what I've experienced.

It "Feels" good.

I've also read the are 4,000 variations. :ohmy:

You know what that means? It means you can learn the basics, make your own version, and it will probably work just as well. Just some people aren't innovated enough. hahah.