| Qigong, as a health practice, has been in China for | | | | play a central role in our "primordial" qi, or that |
| thousands of years. Those familiar with this | | | | vital energy with which we are born, and its |
| practice understand the importance of breath, | | | | development. Qigong exercises not only boost |
| relaxation, and stillness as well as movement. | | | | kidney health, but can also make for more restful |
| To understand the relevance of this exercise to | | | | sleeping. Qigong has been proven to lower systolic |
| kidney health, one must understand the concept | | | | blood pressure by 18 mm and diastolic blood |
| of "Qi". Qi (said "Chee") is simplistically our vital | | | | pressure by 16 mm, while making white blood |
| energy. That said, this concept goes much deeper | | | | counts rise by 13 to 23 percent on average. |
| in significance. It references not only | | | | Qigong Grandmaster Yu Yong Nian in his book |
| the"primordial" energy or essence with which we | | | | "Zhuan Zhuang and the Search of Wu", says an |
| are born, but also anything from which we | | | | hour of standing qigong will raise red blood cell |
| receive energy like food, water, or air. | | | | counts by up to 1,520,000 per cubic centimeter, |
| The term "gong" signifies results or achievements. | | | | white blood cell counts by up to 3,650 per cubic |
| Qigong hence references the development of this | | | | centimeter, and hemoglobin by an additional 3.2 |
| energy internal to us. Various movements, | | | | gram per cubic centimeter of blood. This in turn |
| postures, and breathing techniques comprise | | | | oxygenates the body more efficiently. |
| various qigong practices. These various sets focus | | | | As health care costs rise, qigong makes for a nice |
| on strengthening bones, muscles, and the internal | | | | cost savings alternative to ensure excellent kidney |
| organs like the kidneys. Qigong's has proven to | | | | health and overall health. Standing qigong is |
| calm the nervous system and allow for greater | | | | advantageous since it does not require special |
| focus of the mind. Qigong can be used in weight | | | | facilities indoors or outdoors and can be practiced |
| loss programs as well. | | | | flexible time intervals. One can also practice qigong |
| So how does qi and qigong relate to kidney | | | | in a variety of postures allowing everyone to |
| health? In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys | | | | participate according to their health. |