"Qi Gong can reveal
the mystery of life. It is the best way to further world medical science
and bring health, longevity, and wisdom to humankind." Tzu Kuo Shih
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Qi, also known as Chi in China,
Ki in Japan,
Prana in India,
the Great Spirit in Native
America,
Num in the plateau regions of
Africa,
Lapa'au in the Kahuna Shamanic
traditions of Hawaii,
Pneuma in Ancient Greece,
Elan vital in France,
Orgone the Universal life force
emanating from all organic material - Wilhelm Reich, Austrian
psychoanalyst.
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"The occurrence of
disease is due to insufficiently balanced qi." Nei Ching |
What is Chi Kung? Chi means
energy or life force and Kung means work or exercise: Chi Kung means
Energy Work, Energy Exercise. For centuries Oriental medical traditions
have referred to a mysterious and invisible energy that exists
throughout the universe; a vital energy that drives and sustains all
living organisms; everything in the universe is alive with this energy
force making the universe a vast energetic network. Modern day science
is now discovering what Sages have known all along: that our minds and
our bodies are fields of energy that vibrate at different frequencies.
Getting the chi to flow freely with ease (rather than dis-ease) is the
intention of Chi Kung. In the orient it is common practice for the
medical practitioners to apply acupuncture or acupressure to the blocked
or out of balanced meridians and send their patients home with herb
medicines and a series of chi exercises.
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"Qi Gong training is a
way to conserve our essence, balance our energy and raise up our spirit.
These are the goals and benefits, the spiritual journey begins with
everyday practice." Stanley D Wilson, Ph.D |
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Pal Dan Gum (Eight Silken
Movements) and T'ai Chi are examples of different branches from the
same Chi Kung tree. Both are referred to as meditation-in-motion that
teach a way to approach life with balance and harmony. Both teach that
by balancing and building chi throughout the body we maintain vibrant
health. Where they differ: while Pal Dan Gum consists of a sequence of
postures (pulling and pausing) T'ai Chi is not separated into individual
movements, but rather it is a series of movements that flow together
like water moving smoothly with unbroken continuity. Pal Dan Gum
movements also flow smoothly but with emphasis on holding stretches to
increase flexibility, strength and power. |
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"For breath is life,
and if you breathe well you will live long on earth." Sanskrit
Proverb |
As a Chi Kung practitioner it
is important to learn to breath, to use abdominal breathing and
concentration to draw Chi deep into the Dan Tien, the centre of vital
energy. Chi Kung is a gentle form of exercise intended to relieve
tension and relax the whole body so that Chi can flow freely through the
energy channels.
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"The ideal in the
universe and in life is to be both yin and yang, to strike the right
balance and be in harmony." Stanley D Wilson, Ph.D |
The yin/yang principle is
the basis of oriental medical philosophy. It is the theory upon which
alternative methods of healing are based: Chi Kung, acupuncture,
acupressure, massage and herbology all share in the belief that when the
yin and yang are balanced the Chi flows freely and we enjoy good health,
chi flows with ease; when yin and yang are out of balance, Chi is
blocked and illness results, dis-ease
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