• What is Chi Kung?

• The practice

• What are the benefits?

• Philosophy and history  

What is Chi Kung?

‘Chi’ is vital energy. ‘Kung’ means art, practice.

Chi Kung or Qi Gong are ancient Chinese exercises for health and energy cultivation.

Either still or moving, Chi Kung includes breathing techniques, postures (standing, sitting or lying) and visualizations.

Chi Kung develops and balances the circulation of energy through the whole body, stimulates the immune system, revitalizes internal organs and brings relaxation both physically and mentally.

The Practice

To practice the art of Chi Kung is to develop energy for health, internal force and mind training.

Depending on the origin and style, Chi Kung comprises of:

• Static (Zhaun Gong): practiced in a standing still position with a great emphasis on breathing - for internal force development.

• Dynamic (Don Gong): combining gentle moves and breathing, repeated several times on their own (e.g. Carrying the Moon, Pushing Mountains) or as part of a sequence (e.g. Baduajin ‘The Eight Pieces of Brocade’) – they work on specific organs and internal systems in relation to meridians and acupuncture points.

• Meditative (Jin Gong): practiced either in sitting or lying position for relaxation and a tranquil mind.

Though differing in form and purpose, they all are internal exercises (Nei Gong) that involve the following aspects: regulation of body (posture), regulation of respiration and regulation of mind.

What are the benefits? 

Practising Chi Kung regularly helps to :

• regulate the equilibrium of the nervous system and hormone activity

• promote the normal functions of internal organs leading to a stronger resistance to diseases

• improve the function of the lungs

• enhance blood circulation and balance blood pressure

• promote the digestion by stimulating the gastro-intestinal movements and the secretion of digestive juices

Philosophy and history

Practiced for thousands of years, Chi Kung was originally used for keeping fit and later adopted as a healing exercise. In recent years, further proof of its positive impact on general health and specific diseases has been established through scientific research.

One of the most important concepts in traditional Chinese culture is that the body and mind are ‘one’ and should be developed together. In that respect, Chi Kung helps to bring the body and mind into natural harmony through relaxed but disciplined effort.