Qigong is actually the Chinese art of controlling the flow of life energy. It is pronounced as Chi-Kung and is also referred to as Chi power. The student practicing Chi-Kung has to first become aware of such a power through various respiratory techniques and postures. Slowly, he or she will become aware of the involuntary actions of the body such as rate of heart beat, flow of nutrients to organs of the body, blood pressure, etc. For more information, you can visit various sites on the internet as well as check out info in library books.

Self-Healing Method

Chi-Kung or Qigong can be used to heal our bodies. It is the best self healing method and all we require to do is to understand this art. To understand this art we have to first understand the origin of Chi-Kung. Qigong has its origin in various sources such as Taoism, Shamanism, Buddhism, Kung fu and medicine. Let us see how.

According to Taoist philosophy, by concentrating your life energy or chi or qi and relaxing your body, one can achieve a balanced and unbounded state of mind. Chi energy helps to balance the yin and the yang or the earthly and the spiritual energies. The Taoist philosophy has been around since the 4th century B.C. Buddhism to has had propagated the use of Qigong to achieve tranquility. Qigong was basically used by the Buddhists to complement their meditation.

Shamanism - The Bear Dance

Now let us look at Shamanism. In ancient China, a great flood once invaded the entire land. After the floods, the stagnant waters caused many an illnesses. The then shaman Emperor Yu performed a bear dance to invoke the mysterious power of the Big Dipper constellation. These powers then cleared the land of the water and saved the people. So, people concluded that such a dance could also improve the flow of energy in our body. Since then, people have been practicing the bear dance as a Qigong exercise for better health.

Qigong Exercises

Medicine, as in practicing specific exercises for specific ailments is also followed throughout China. Around 168 B.C., the Dao Yin illustrations were recorded. Dao Yin also means Qigong. These illustrations were nothing but postures for certain illnesses, which if practiced daily would cure you of them. Also, the 'Five Animal Frolics' of Hua Tao are popular. These frolics are nothing but the imitations of the movements of the Bear, Deer, Monkey, Crane and Tiger. These movements will prevent the rusting of our limbs. You can learn more about Qigong and how it can improve your health.

Martial Arts and Qigong

The Chinese martial art of Kung Fu has also been used to improve Qigong exercises. Chinese martial artists stumbled upon these exercises while they were looking for ways to improve their agility, balance, coordination, stamina and flexibility. Chi Kung or Qigong has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. Even today, millions of Chinese people practice it. It is suitable for people of all ages. So it's about time that even we started to make use of this priceless art.