What is chi kung?
Chinese medicine and philosophy are strongly based on the concept of Chi, the universal energy that flows through the body and drives it. It is said that Chi enters the body when a person breathes, orbits the body and rises after exhalation. The unlimited flow of Chi helps in health, happiness and longevity, while the blocked flow of Chi leads to illness and depression. Chi Kung, also speaking Qigong, is a discipline used to grow Chi in the human body by meditation, movement and deep respiratory exercises. This practice has a number of health benefits, mainly because it reduces stress. Chi Kung, however, teaches the right method of breathing into the membrane to expand the stomach. This increases the amount of oxygen collected every every breath. One of the most basic respiratory exercises in Qigong is a slow nose for four numbers, while touched the tongue to the roof of the mouth; hold a breath for two numbers; and exhaling by mouth for four numbers. There are other methods such as breathing through alternative nostrils and their purpose is to send more oxygen to the brain.
Breathing methods are not the only part of Chi Kung training; Moving meditations also help in Chi growing. In fact, the principles of Chi Kung are introduced to Chinese martial arts such as Taijiqian and various schools of hard arts. Coordination movements with proper breathing and flow of Chi increase the power of strikes and help the practitioner maintain a rooted attitude. Movement sequence in Taiji, also known as 24-form-form Yang Tai Chi, is considered to be moving meditation because it focuses on slow movement into attitudes; The mental focus needed to do this is a form of meditation.
Another concept in Chi Kung is the existence of meridians. Like the blood vessels, the meridian wears Chi all over the body starting from the central point, Dantian. This is the center of gravity placed under the navel. Chi moves from Dantian via the torso and on the limbs subject to the direction of YI or conscious will.
practicing qigong has na number of health benefits. It improves cardiovascular and respiratory procedure partly due to greater oxygen flow into the bloodstream. Deep respiratory exercises also reduce or eliminate stress because it directly affects the natural reaction of the body to stress: introduction of adrenaline into the bloodstream, increased heart rate and faster breathing.