Qigong,
also written as Qi Gong, Chi Kung
or Chee Kung and is also widely known
as Nei Gong, Nei means internal in
the Chinese language. Qi gong, Qi
means life energy from the universe
and Gong means effort or work, thus
Qi Gong can be referred as “working
with the life energy from the universe”.
Qi
Gong is an ancient Chinese art and
science of tapping life energy from
the universe and to draw this source
of energy, qi, flowing into our body
by mastering a set of techniques through
a precise choreography of movement,
posture, breathing exercises and meditation.
The drawing of qi into the body helps
to clear the twelve meridians.
Qi
gong has been in practice for more
than 4,000 years and studies have
concluded that performing Qi Gong
regularly, benefits our overall health,
physically and most importantly, internally
stimulating our internal organs, keeping
them in the best of health.
Also
the regular absorption and exchange
of qi from the universe, can help
to balance our body’s life energy
of yin and yang, which in the western
concept, refers to as acidic and alkaline
balance in our body’s pH. For
more about our body’s pH, read
the excellent book by Theodore A.
Baroody, Alkalize or Die.
Qi
Gong is frequently practiced with
Tai Ji, also called Taichi or Taichiquan,
which literally means the Grand Ultimate
Kungfu, is an ancient Chinese martial
art.
Taichi
is now widely practiced by people
in the senior age group of the Chinese
community as an exercise to keep fit
and stay healthy. One of the main
reasons why Tai ji is a preferred
exercise among the senior citizen,
is probably due to its slow and smooth
body movement which is gentle to the
knee caps and body joints. In addition,
the practice of Taiji requires lot
of patience and the capability to
memorize a long series of movement.
In fact, the regular practice of Tai
Chi can help prevent dementia as it
keeps our brain and body active.
But
most importantly, unknown to many,
taichi when practiced with qigong
in the correct form, it provides tremendous
health benefits, helps in the anti
aging process that promotes longevity
and not just a morning exercise.
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