Qi gong is one of the therapy forms of traditional Chinese medicine,
mostly defined as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
Qi stand for the Chinese concept of life energy; Gong means as much
as "art" or "skill" Therefore you can translate Qi Gong
as "mastering and working with life energy"
In the Chinese tradition mastering and working with the life energy has been
developed for several areas. Qi Gong is especially applied for medical, spiritual
and martial aims and has for every application different methods and techniques.
By specific movement patterns and breathing techniques Qi Gongs brings body and
spirit in balance. This has a very positive functioning on health, both
preventively and curative.
One of the most important aspects of Qi Gong for the development of the
practitioner is that one develops a sharp conscience concerning own
physical, mental and spiritual functioning.
In China Qi Gong is divided into 5 large schools.
- Taoistic Qi Gong.
This school is more than 4000 years old and has as goal the harmony
of the mental and physical body. The balance between and unity with
universe and people. Characterizing is also the striving towards a
long live. It is a mental and physical training.
- Buddhistic Qi Gong.
This school is more than 3000 years old and originates from India.
It's goal is the detachment of all life and death matters to reach
a pure mentally situation. The training is especially a mental training.
- Confucian Qi Gong.
The main objective is moral behavior. The training exists especially of
sitting still and meditation; it is thus especially a mental training.
- Wushu Qi Gong.
One distinguishes two schools:
- Soft Qi gong: to reinforce and increase inner energy, so that one can
use this energy in martial arts (for example Taiji Quan).
- Hard Qi Gong: with the aim to harden the complete body or parts of it,
so resilience is increased. There are special trainings for this: Iron vest,
Iron Palm, etc...
- Medical Qi Gong.
Certain of these forms descend from the Wushu Qi Gong, others from Taoistic of
Buddhistic Qi Gong. The goal is to fight and prevent all kinds of sicknesses,
so one can live a healthy life.
Within these 5 schools there are innumerable forms and styles. In spite of all
the differences all types of Qi Gong have one thing in common: they are all
good for mental and physical health. In Buddhism one says: "there are 36 thousand
ways to go, but the destination is the same." So therefore there a lot of
manners to practice Qi Gong, but they all lead to the same goal.
Qi Gong with regard to practising method is divided in:
- Jin Gong: this is Qi Gong without movements in sitting, standing or lying down position.
- Dòng Gong: Moving Qi Gong.
The Jin gong use certain postures, Dòng Gong certain fixed movement patterns, that
can be combined with several breathing techniques, sounds or visualizations.
Within this there are innumerable variations and techniques.
What means Qi Gong for health?
Qi Gong can moderate and cure a lot of chronic complaints and sicknesses,
such as stress, mental and physical fatigue, rheumatic complaints, whiplash
and all kinds of disorders of the internal organs (stomach -, lung -, liver -,
kidney - and heart complaints). By practicing Qi Gong one can change also
mentally. One feels oneself more at peace, but active and alert in daily live.
One can put aside tensions much easier, and feels more at ease. Qi Gong
increases concentration and creativity. It gives a clear insight in daily living.
Of course one must learn and practice Qi Gong under good accompaniment and
never try to learn yourself from books or video tapes. First because certain
details of Qi Gong are only orally transferred. Secondly because it is important
that the exercises are corrected in the right manner. Many years of wrong
practice can seriously damage the mental and physical health.
Qi Gong forms at Wújí:
Within Wújí a number of Qi Gong forms are taught. These forms
succeed each other logically, and taught and practiced in succeeding courses.
The forms are among others:
- 5 sounds Qi Gong (Wu Sheng Qi Gong) - a combination of Taoistic and medical Qi Gong.
- Medicine Buddha Qi Gong (You Shu Gong) - a combination of Buddhist and medical Qi Gong.
- Golden metal body (Jin Gang Shen Qi Gong) - a combination of Buddhist and medical Qi Gong.
- Thousand arms and thousand eyes Guanyin Buddah Qi Gong (Qian shou qian yan Guanyin Buddha Gong) - a combination of Buddhist and medical Qi Gong.
- Taiji Qi Gong - a combination of medical and martial arts Qi Gong.
Wújí also organizes on a regular basis multiple days of training under
the guidance of master Kong Mien Ho.
|