| Loosely translated, "Qi Gong" means the | | | | the organs in the body, while the mind focus |
| cultivation of life force energy. Romanized from | | | | increases awareness of your own body on where |
| Mandarin, it is spelled "Qi Gong" or "Chi Kung" | | | | your energy and blood is flowing. |
| respectively under the Pinyin and Wade-Giles | | | | The static exercises will provide the same benefit |
| system of spelling. Qi is known as 'ki' in Japan, | | | | as meditation being relaxation, stilling the mind, |
| 'prana' in India, 'ka' in ancient Egypt, and 'pneuma' | | | | reducing stress, clarity of mind, inducing tranquillity, |
| by the ancient Greeks. This vital energy is | | | | plus harmonising and harnessing universal energy |
| believed to be inherent in all things. Traditional | | | | thereby re-energising your body. |
| Chinese Medicine (TCM) believed that when such | | | | Many scientific studies in China have shown that |
| energy is interrupted, our mind, body, and spirit | | | | cancer patients who have undergone |
| will not be in order; as Qi energy is the energy of | | | | chemotherapy or radiation, and later practice QG |
| life, a vital energy that permeates all living things. | | | | live twice as long on average as those who don't. |
| Qi Gong ("QG") is the forerunner of Taiji (Tai Chi). | | | | Those who practice QG require less medication, |
| The exercises of QG are divided into soft, static, | | | | experience less nausea, and recover more quickly. |
| and hard. The "soft" exercises can be used by | | | | QG is now a standard medical technique in |
| the elderly, sick and disabled; the "static" for | | | | hospitals, and recognised as part of the National |
| meditation, and the "hard" can be used by martial | | | | Health Plan in China. |
| artists. All the exercises are performed with a | | | | QG's ultimate aim is in mastering yourself |
| focus on the breath and mind, and are designed | | | | mentally, physically, and spiritually. Practising QG |
| to unblock and stimulate meridians of energy so | | | | puts the responsibility for maintaining and healing |
| that Qi (Chi) will flow smoothly through the body | | | | yourself in your own hands. To get the best |
| thus regulating the body's system. | | | | results you need to commit yourself to several |
| The breathing involves using the diaphragm and | | | | months of daily training. |
| abdominal muscles which massages and stimulates | | | | |