Eastern Exercise / Qigong

08/18/2009

About 20 years ago, the West was exposed to an ancient form of healing from China called qigong (also spelled chi kung, chee gong). Qi (chi) is the vital life force that circulates through the body and gong (kung) means practice. So, it is a method of moving the vital life force through the body.

It has been around for at least 3,000 years and some books say it might be 10,000. It fell out of favor during the Cultural Revolution during Mao Tse Tong’s regime but came back into use in the 1980s when the Chinese government was looking for a way to provide health care to the masses that wouldn’t require high tech machines and expensive medications. Since it was previously used by the educated and noble classes of society, teaching and using this form of treatment for the masses fit into the government philosophy of benefits for the working class.

My first exposure to qigong came about 1992 when I was working at USC’s Facial Pain Clinic in the dental school. I only heard the word and knew that it had health benefits, but it took another 5 years before I actually found some teachers. Later, I found out that even people who have traveled to China looking for a teacher never found one.

There are about 100,000 different schools of qigong with various specialties, some for beauty, intelligence, artistry, medical reasons, improving abilities of all kinds, and personal development. Some forms are done as exercise and other forms are done as treatment. Some forms are more active with a lot of movement and others are done quietly sitting. Some use special breathing, others don’t. In all cases, the forms use the mind to move the qi (chi) and to put healing messages along these energy channels unlike acupuncture, which uses needles to stimulate the flow of energy or qi (chi). Movement of the qi also creates movement of the blood, making it more possible to bring in oxygen and nutrition to all the cells in the body. The intent of qigong is to bring better health and longevity to the individual. I look at qigong as exercise for the internal organs and moving the qi through the body in a similar way as acupuncture (just minus the needles).

Qigong uses simple movements that is easy to do and takes less time to learn than tai chi, which many people tell me takes 2 years to get the basic form mastered. Tai chi uses graceful movements that are often used to develop balance, coordination and strength, but tai chi has its origins in the martial arts and came after qigong, with its origins in health development.

I met a former CEO of Unilever, Europe’s equivalent of Proctor and Gamble, and found out that qigong is well known and practiced in Europe as well. He had studied acupressure and other forms of energetic healing, but he was quite amazed at some of the results he had with his one time exposure to qigong.

Some of the benefits of qigong include improved immunity resulting in less colds and flus, better sleep, less pain from arthritis, improved memory, improved cardiovascular and lung function, normalization of cholesterol levels, improved hearing and eyesight, improved kidney function, increased energy and endurance, softer skin, better coordination, improved spirits, increased bone density, and enhanced abilities.

Qigong, which emphasizes internal health, compliments Western exercise, which emphasizes strength, flexibility and cardiovascular function. East meeting West could provide an awesome combination for maximizing health.

Classes in qigong are held at our offices on a regular basis. Call for more information.

Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., Yonemoto Physical Therapy
55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100
Alhambra, CA 91801
PHONE: 626 576 0591
FAX: 626 576 5890

Links:
http://www.yonemoto.com/ - Yonemoto Physical Therapy home page
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm - Integrative Manual Therapy, a Hands-On Approach
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/qigong.htm - Qigong to boost the immune system