Chi-Kong is an ancient Chinese system of postures, exercises, breathing techniques, and meditations. Its techniques are designed to improve and enhance the body's chi. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, chi is the fundamental life energy responsible for health and vitality(from medical dictionary).
Chi-Kong is estimated to be about 5,000-7,000 years old. It was passed down in secrecy among monks and teachers for many generations and it also survived the Cultural Revolutions in China of the 1960s and 1970s, which banned many traditional practices. These techniques were brought to the West in the 1980’s to help prevent illness, promote self healing and encourage longevity. Today millions of people practice it worldwide. It encourages you to find what works best for your system.
The martial arts were highly influenced by chi-kong and many of them developed from it. Acupuncture and acupressure also use the same meridian (energy channel in the body) points that chi-kong practice clears and stimulates. When this "meaningful flow" of energy is blocked - pain or illness is the result. It is the continued practice of Chi Flow that increases your flow of energy and gives you vitality and longevity.
Chi stands for the essential energy that creates life. Chi is found in the air, in our food and sunlight. In the body chi is the invisible vital force that sustains life. Kong means movement.
Chi-Kong: moving the energies, working with the life energy.
The movements are designed to encourage the flow of this energy in the body. This flow inspires self-healing processes. The exercises are accessible to all, the young, the old, able and less able.
Benefits
Chi-Kong can be used as a daily routine to increase overall health and well-being, as well as for disease prevention and longevity. It can be used to increase energy and reduce stress. It also creates balance, increases the body's energies and develops feelings of health, strength, and well being. Chi Kong uses the natural functions of your body to release stress, develop flexibility, coordination and stamina, and to heal chronic joint and back problems. The main idea of Chi Kong is to develop and store Chi. In China, it is used in conjunction with other medical therapies for many chronic conditions, including asthma, allergies, AIDS, cancer, headaches, , depression, mental illness, strokes and heart disease. It is the continued practice of Chi-Kong that increases your flow of energy and gives you vitality and longevity.
Practicing Chi-Kong
Chi-Kong consists of postures, movements, breathing techniques, and mental exercises. Postures may involve standing, sitting, or lying down. The postures and the movements are designed to strengthen, stretch, and tone the body to improve the flow of energy. Meditations and mind exercises are used to enhance the mind and move chi throughout the body. These exercises are often visualizations that focus on different parts of the body. One mental exercise is called the "Inner Smile". These exercises are cumulative. As you practice through the year the effects of the practices will increase. As you practice Chi Kung your body will become relaxed and stronger, your health will improve and your spirits will lift.
There are basically three rules when you practice Chi-Kong: