chi

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"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

 

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.

 


"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.

 

"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

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.


"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.

 

"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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Things to be mindful of:

- keep the tongue touching the roof of the mouth to increase the flow of Chi

- the Top of the head is called the Hundred Meeting Point - the Heavenly Energy Point

- inner canvas of the eyes - The Eye Bright Points - keep eyes directed

- palms of the hands - The Palace of Toil - feel the energy in your palms

- lower trunk of body - The Lower Trunk Point - keep spine straight and knees bent

- either sides of your ankle bones - The Yang Extending Points - important to be mindful of free flow chi at side of body

- soles of feet - The Bubbling Spring Points - helps to receive energy from the ground

- use Chi to circulate throughout body, not muscles!

*Based on the Body Clock theory the ideal time to treat any organ with a Chi Kung exercise is during the peak time of the 2 hour intervals as indicated on the chart. However, speaking in terms of practicality while being mindful of traditional sacred periods of the day, the ideal time to practice Chi Kung exercises is during the hours of the living breath from midnight to noon; the middle of the living breath - 6 o'clock a.m. or sunrise is the ideal time of day.*


References

Buddhist Doctrines

Chi with Colleen

E-mail me: webwitch@webwitch.ca

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