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what is it?
Qigong (or chi kung) is a Chinese system of philosophy and healthcare that combines physical movements, breathing techniques and meditation. Chi (or qi), means 'breath of life' or 'vital energy,' and kung (or gong) means work, self-discipline, achievement or mastery. Qigong is said to improve health and vitality by teaching you to recognise and control the circulation of life energy (chi) throughout your body, encouraging a state of balance or harmony in which self-healing processes can function at their optimum level.
There are many different varieties of qigong which fall into two broad types — 'soft' qigong and 'hard' qigong. Soft qigong focuses on breathing exercises and meditation with little or no movement, concentrating on building up health and maintaining spiritual development. 'Hard' qigong, which includes exercises such as t'ai chi and the martial arts, aims to strengthen the physical body too. Master practitioners are said to be able to emit 'external chi' to heal others.
what happens
The basic postures are easy to learn and can be performed by people of all ages and agility. A qigong teacher will help you to recognise sensations of chi and use your mind, or 'intention', to guide it in ways that will help you function at your best.
Classes may be one-to-one or in groups. Wear comfortable clothes and flat flexible shoes. Exercises are repeated six times to begin with and build up gradually.
what it's supposed to do
As part of traditional Chinese medicine, qigong aims to regulate the flow of chi, clearing blockages and restoring depletions. Movements (yang) to stimulate the acupuncture points and meridians are balanced by meditation (yin) which stores chi in a region just below the navel known as the dantien.
Qigong is said to help almost any disease. In the West, it is recommended for stress-related conditions, fatigue, high blood pressure and heart disease, musculo-skeletal pain and stiffness as in arthritis, conditions of old age, and to promote health and well-being.
what's the evidence?
Chinese researchers have carried out numerous studies of 'medical' qigong since the 1980s. These claim to show that qigong can increase blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, increase bone density, enhance the immune system and hormone function, and improve eyesight, but few have been translated into English and many are incomplete. The US National Institute of Health's National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a study of qigong.
precautions
Go to the safety first section of 'before you start' for some general precautions to take into account when considering a complementary therapy.
- Qigong is a gentle therapy with no harmful effects, but check with a doctor if you have any symptoms of disease.
- Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
how to find a practitioner
It is important for beginners to work with an experienced teacher so that eventually they can practise on their own. There is no umbrella qigong association in the UK, but t'ai chi organisations may be able to recommend teachers. Classes may be advertised in local libraries and community centres, but ask about the teacher's credentials. the Tse Qigong Centre runs one of the largest and more established teaching organisations for beginners and advanced students.
» help and info
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(July 2002)
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