What is Qigong?
Qigong (Qi Gong, Tschi Gung, Ch´i Kung, Qui Gong) is an effective way to invigorate the energy flow within the body, release possible blockades and preserve health. This is achieved by soft movements, the calmness of meditation, a natural breathing and positive thoughts.
A free flow of the vital energy "Qi" is the essential basis for the strengthening of the body’s defences. The easy-to-learn exercises represent an easy way to contribute to the overcoming of physical and mental diseases. According to practical experiences as well as medical studies even the progress of acute and chronic diseases can be influenced in a positive way in many cases. In addition, the improvement of the personal performance, a deep relaxation, an effective stress reduction and the prevention of an early aging are further positive effects of Qigong.
As far as their development is concerned, the various variants and exercise procedures summarized under the term Qigong are related to a minor degree to the Taiji Quan and Kung Fu. By implementing a combination of concentration and imagination these methods are also based on the work with the vital energy Qi. However, the highly efficient Qigong exercises represent a specific characteristic. The Qigong techniques which have been developed over numerous generations by Qigong masters, Buddhist and Taoist monks as well as doctors of the Traditional Chinese Medicine are an essential part of China's cultural tradition. Over thousands of years these techniques were more and more refined by experiences and insights and optimized to the needs of the people by regarding the human being as a unity of body, mind and soul. The Qigong techniques are a significant part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Besides movement exercises which either have a general invigorating or targeted therapeutic effect, in Qigong the meditation, which among others helps to calm one's thoughts and reduce muscle tensions, is used as a measure of prevention and treatment too. By practising certain body postures the blockage-free flow of the vital energy Qi is hereby restored and supported. In practice, the movement and meditation exercises can be accompanied by visualizations or healing sounds through which the effect of the exercises is intensified.