Qigong
Qigong, also known as Chi Kung or Chi Gung, is a discipline that harmonizes breath, movement, and consciousness, serving as an amalgamation of exercise, healing, and meditation. Rooted in Chinese medicine, martial arts, and philosophy, qigong is traditionally embraced as a means to nurture and harmonize Qi (Chi) or "internal energy". Typically, Qigong involves rhythmic breathing synchronizing with gentle, purposeful movements, fostering a serene mindful state, and envisioning the guided flow of Qi throughout the body. Philosophically, Qigong is believed to facilitate human potential development, access to heightened states of awareness, and the awakening of one's "true nature".
The advantages of practicing Qigong are extensive, aimed at promoting health and well-being, encompassing enhanced cardiovascular function, targeted healing of certain acute ailments, and potentially extending longevity. A comprehensive review highlighted the positive impact of Qigong practice across various categories:
• Bone density: prevented bone loss and increased bone mineral density;
• Cardiopulmonary effects: decreased blood pressure and heart rate, increased heart rate variability, and improved biomarkers;
• Physical function: improved performance e.g., chair rise, 50-ft walk, gait speed, muscle contraction strength, flexibility;
• Falls and related risk factors: decreased falls and increased balance;
• Quality of life: improved perceived physical health, psychological state, social relationships, etc.
• Self efficacy: improved confidence and ability to manage health problems, pain, stress, and novel situations;
• Patient reported outcomes: decreased reporting of pain, improvement of diverse symptoms like discomfort and sleeplessness;
• Psychological symptoms: decreased anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and fear; improved mood and biomarkers such as stress hormones (e.g., lower cortisol);
• Immune function and inflammation: improved immune blood markers (e.g., leukocytes, eosinophils, and antibodies) and decrease inflammation markers (e.g., cytokines, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6).
• Mental Health: improved mood, decreased stress reaction, and decreased anxiety and depression.
• Bone density: prevented bone loss and increased bone mineral density;
• Cardiopulmonary effects: decreased blood pressure and heart rate, increased heart rate variability, and improved biomarkers;
• Physical function: improved performance e.g., chair rise, 50-ft walk, gait speed, muscle contraction strength, flexibility;
• Falls and related risk factors: decreased falls and increased balance;
• Quality of life: improved perceived physical health, psychological state, social relationships, etc.
• Self efficacy: improved confidence and ability to manage health problems, pain, stress, and novel situations;
• Patient reported outcomes: decreased reporting of pain, improvement of diverse symptoms like discomfort and sleeplessness;
• Psychological symptoms: decreased anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and fear; improved mood and biomarkers such as stress hormones (e.g., lower cortisol);
• Immune function and inflammation: improved immune blood markers (e.g., leukocytes, eosinophils, and antibodies) and decrease inflammation markers (e.g., cytokines, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6).
• Mental Health: improved mood, decreased stress reaction, and decreased anxiety and depression.
Qigong class Locaitons: CLICK HERE for more information!
Main contents of Qigong we teach:
• Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin 八段錦).
• Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue 六字訣).
• Wu Style 8 Methods for Health (Wu Shi Jiashen Ba Fa 吴氏健身八法): very good for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, insomnia, gastrointestinal disease and other chronic diseases
• Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Yì Jīn Jīng 易筋经).
• Five Animals (Wu Qin Xi 五禽戲).
• Shi Er Duan Jin (十二段锦): seated exercises to strengthen the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.
• Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong Shi Er Fa (导引养生功十二法): 12 routines from Daoyin tradition of guiding and pulling Qi.
