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Anonymous
Username: Echokang
Registered: N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 08:09: | |
Qigong is an exercise to regulate the mind and breathing in order to control or promote the flow of qi. Since qi plays such an important role in the vital processes of the human body, the regulation of qi flow is therefore be used to preserve health and treat disease. Medical qigong, the qi exercise practiced to prevent and treat disease, is different from general physical exercise. While physical exercise is aimed at building up health or restoring physical functioning by enhancing strength, medical qigong is focused on the mobilization of functional potentialities by regulating the mind. In other words, physical exercise is purely somatic, while qigong exercise is generally psycho-somatic. Another important difference between physical exercise and qigong is that physical exercise expends energy by tensing the muscles and accelerating the heart beat and respirations, while qigong works to ease, smooth and regulate breathing to store up or accumulate energy in the body.
Medical qigong can be divided into two main categories: internal qigong, which is practiced by the patients themselves to preserve and promote their own health, and external qigong, which is performed by a qigong master on a person with health problems. Practicing internal qigong requires regulation of the mind, body and respiration. There are many kinds of internal qigong, some with motion and others without. Qigong can be practiced while sitting still, standing upright, or lying on the back or side. The basic requirement is to stay comfortable and relaxed. |
Kang Jian
Username: Echokang
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 04:14: | |
Theory of Jing, Qi and Shen
In the Daoist tradition, which forms the foundation of the traditional Oriental healing and health-promoting arts, there are said to be Three Treasures that in effect constitute our life. These are known as jing, qi (pronounced "chee") and shen. The ultimate goal of all of the Oriental healing and health-promoting arts is to cultivate, balance and expand the Three Treasures. At the highest level of the Oriental healing arts, the practitioner is attempting to harmonize all aspects of one's being. This is accomplished by focusing one's attention on the Three Treasures. There are no exact translations for the terms jing, qi and shen into English. They are generally translated, though, as essence, vitality and spirit.
The author's great teacher, Daoist master Sung Jin Park, described the Three Treasures by comparing them to a burning candle. Jing is like the wax and wick, which are the substantial parts of the candle. They are made of material, which is essentially condensed energy. The flame of the lit candle is likened to qi, for this is the energetic activity of the candle, which eventually results in the burning out of the candle. The radiance given off by the flaming candle is shen. The larger the candle and the better the quality of the wax and wick, the steadier will be its flame and the longer the candle will last. The steadier the flame, the steadier the light given off; and the greater the flame, the greater the light. Master Park described it like this:
There are three treasures in the human body. These are known as jing, qi and shen. Of these three, only qi has received some recognition in the West so far. Qi is but one of the Three Treasures--the other two are equally wondrous.
Jing has been called the "superior ultimate" treasure, even though even in a healthy, glowing body, the quantity is small. Jing existed before the body existed, and this jing enters the body tissues and becomes the root of our body. When we keep jing within our body, our body can be vigorous. If a person cares for the cavity of jing, and does not hurt it recklessly, it is very easy to enjoy a life of great longevity. Without jing energy, we cannot live.
Qi is the invisible life force which enables the body to think and perform voluntary movement. The power of qi can be seen in the power that enables a person to move and live. It can be seen in the movement of energy in the cosmos and in all other movements and changes. Coming from heaven into the body through the nose (yang gate) and mouth (yin gate), it circulates through the 12 meridians to nourish and preserve the inner organs.
Shen energy is similar to the English meaning of the words "mind" and "spirit." It is developed by the combination of jing and qi energy. When these two treasures are in balance, the mind is strong, the spirit is great, the emotions are under control and the body is strong and healthy. But it is very difficult to expect a sound mind to be cultivated without sound jing and qi. An old proverb says that "a sound mind lives in a sound body." When cultivated, shen will bring peace of mind.
When we develop jing, we get a large amount of qi automatically. When we have a large amount of qi, we will also have strong shen, and we will become bright and glowing as a holy man.
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ron
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 07:03: | |
Dear Echokang,
This is a beutifull description of Qi Gong.
Are you familliar with web sites where elaboration on internal Qi Gong can be found.
Thanks
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Kang Jian
Username: Echokang
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:34: | |
Dear ron,
I'm glad to see you.
There are some articles and pictures on Qigong ,you can view from the web:
http://www.fx120.net/english/tcm/TCMHC/lm5363_1.htm |
ron
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 12:31: | |
Thank you Echokang. It looks excellent ! |
Eric Waltemate D.C.
| | Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 20:46: | |
Dear practitioners,
Do you have any advice for any Qi Gong/ Tai Ji Quan exercise(s) for anger/irritability/rising liver yang/liver qi stag?
Thanks,
Dr. Waltemate
P.S. I went to the site you just mentioned and didn't find any for anger/liver yang issues. |
Shmuel Halevi
| | Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 11:46: | |
 Both Tai Chi forms and Chi Gong have the ability to balance the energy flow in the meridians, relax the muscles and tendons and the nervous system. If you have basic knowledge of these techniques and if you perform them regularly, there is no need to look for any specific exercises in order to soothe the liver or lower the Yang Qi. In any event, it will not cure the problem. For this, acupuncture or herbs are needed, or a very resolute indulgence in meditation, Tai Chi etc. |
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General methods of qigong