| Qigong is a holistic approach to well being and is a | | | | someone and completely forgotten that really |
| powerful tool for overcoming illness if you have it. | | | | important point you wanted to make? |
| It brings physical, emotional, mental and spiritual | | | | Qigong students regularly comment on significant |
| benefits. I'll take each one in turn and explain just | | | | improvements in their mental clarity. This should |
| a few of the improvements you can expect to | | | | not come as a surprise when your realise that |
| experience in your life when you practice qigong. | | | | qigong practice actively develops mental clarity. |
| PHYSICAL - your resistance to coughs and colds | | | | But what is mental clarity? Mental clarity is a mind |
| increases, I've lost count of the number of | | | | that is clear, but clear of what? |
| students who pre-qigong only had to be looked at | | | | Clear of all thoughts. |
| by someone with a cold and by the next day | | | | So if you have improved mental clarity does this |
| they'd have it. Practicing qigong they hardly, if | | | | mean you'll no longer be able to think? That you'll |
| ever get caught out by some 'bug'. | | | | become a moron? No, quite the opposite. |
| There's a really good reason for this, as you | | | | What it means is that when you need to focus |
| practice qigong your energy starts to flow | | | | on something be it a problem in need of a |
| harmoniously through the energy pathways | | | | solution, or just deciding what to have for lunch, |
| (meridians) of your body and this enhances your | | | | you have no distracting thoughts that rob your |
| bodies NATURAL power to deal with all 'dis-ease- | | | | mind of its immense power. |
| causing agents BEFORE you even know there is a | | | | For example - normal thinking is like the suns |
| problem. | | | | rays, warm. Thinking with the benefit of mental |
| Your ability to handle the natural stresses and | | | | clarity is like holding a magnifying glass and |
| stains of modern life will increase. You know those | | | | focusing the suns rays to a fine point. Now you |
| things in your life that currently 'press your | | | | have the power to burn holes in things! |
| buttons'? Gradually their ability to get to you will | | | | SPIRITUAL - Your Spirit/Shen is responsible for |
| decrease as you take it all in your stride. | | | | your ability to create, it directly effects your |
| You'll find yourself waking earlier in the morning | | | | intelligence, memory and ability to articulate |
| (naturally), feeling clear headed and ready to start | | | | thought clearly. |
| the day. Though when this first starts to happen, | | | | You'll notice that there is an overlap between the |
| you'll convince yourself you need more sleep and | | | | emotional, mental and spiritual benefits of |
| wake up at your usual time feeling groggy and | | | | practicing qigong and there's a really good reason |
| thick headed - I did it and so have many of my | | | | for that. |
| students. | | | | You see from the western perspective, holistic |
| EMOTIONAL - Every time you practice qigong | | | | health is viewed from the physical, emotional, |
| you are learning how to 'open your heart' more | | | | mental and spiritual aspects. But from the qigong |
| and more. And I don't mean the 4 chambered | | | | perspective there is only the physical and the |
| muscle in your chest. I'm making reference to | | | | heart. With the 'heart' relating to the emotional, |
| Chinese 'version' of the heart. In TCM the heart is | | | | mental and spiritual. So emotional and mental illness |
| considered to be the 'The Emperor' it is the | | | | is considered to be an illness of the heart. |
| supreme controller - it houses the Shen (mind | | | | Depression is perhaps the most common illness of |
| spirit) - i.e. it's very important! | | | | the heart effecting not only your 'spirit' but also |
| As a result your emotions will become more | | | | having a negative effect on your emotions, |
| balanced, you'll no longer feel like you're on a roller | | | | mental faculties and physical well being. But I am |
| coaster with dizzying highs and crushing lows. You | | | | happy to say that there are numerous examples |
| will experience more tranquility and joy. | | | | of qigong practitioners who through their qigong |
| The longer you continue to practice qigong on a | | | | practice have released their hearts/spirit from the |
| daily basis the more familiar and substantial these | | | | tyranny of depression. Myself included. Discover |
| states will become. | | | | the best qigong exercises for overcoming |
| MENTAL - If you're like 99.99% of the population, | | | | depression. |
| your mind will normally be filled with lots of | | | | Unfortunately too many people neglect the |
| pointless chatter, most of it unconscious. If you | | | | spiritual aspect of their lives and the spirit is so |
| stop reading this for a minute you can check that | | | | important for health, happiness and well being. |
| statement out for yourself. | | | | Conclusion |
| How often does a song (that you probably don't | | | | Qigong has the potential to overcome pain and |
| even like very much) get stuck in your mind on | | | | illness, promote health, vitality, longevity, mental |
| endless loop? How often do you go into a room | | | | clarity and spiritual cultivation. It is a powerful tool |
| and forget what it was you went in there for? | | | | for Total Health. |
| Have you ever been in a conversation with | | | | |