2025.04.03

Traditional therapy to regulate qi in the body ~ qigong

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Qigong is a traditional folk remedy that has been handed down in China for a long time, and is widely recognized as a type of alternative medicine in modern times. At the root of this is the idea of regulating the energy of "qi" in the body and promoting physical and mental health. Qigong is not just exercise or gymnastics, but a comprehensive health method that works on both the mind and body, and its practice includes three important elements: mindfulness, breathing, and toning.

Article Contents

Qigong is a traditional therapy that promotes harmony between mind and body
- The History of Qigong: Beyond the Thousands of Years

Qigong is a traditional therapy that promotes harmony between mind and body

Mindfulness – This refers to mental concentration in a relaxed state. By clearing distractions and quieting the mind, you can reduce stress and promote mental stability.
Breathing: It means regulating your breathing. By being aware of deep, relaxed breathing, you balance your autonomic nervous system and deepen your mental and physical relaxation.
It refers to adjusting the body and posture. Maintaining correct posture smooths the flow of qi in the body and eliminates distortions in the body.

The History of Qigong: Beyond the Thousands of Years

The origins of Qigong can be traced back to ancient China. Its history spans thousands of years and has been influenced by religious ideas such as Taoism and Buddhism, as well as philosophical concepts such as the theory of the five elements of yin and yang.

The prototype of ancient Chinese qigong originated in ancient China around 3000 BC. The idea of emphasizing harmony with nature was at the root, and attempts to maintain health through qi began.
During the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period, Taoist thought spread, and the concept of "qi" came to be emphasized. Various techniques for harmonizing the body and mind were developed, and the foundations of Qigong were laid.
In the Tang Dynasty, Qigong was further developed, and many schools were formed. Qigong became associated with martial arts and medicine and began to be practiced by martial artists and doctors.
In the Song Dynasty, qigong became widely used as a folk remedy and was adopted by the general public as a means of maintaining health and preventing disease. It was also during this period that specific forms such as Hachidan Nishiki and Tai Chi were established.
In the Ming Dynasty, qigong diversified, and various schools and techniques were born. The literature on Qigong increased, and theories and practical methods were systematized.
With the introduction of modern and Western medicine, qigong temporarily declined, but in the mid-20th century, its health benefits began to be reviewed and it began to attract attention again.
Modern Qigong has become practiced all over the world and is widely used as a means of stress management and health maintenance. Scientific research has also been conducted to verify its effectiveness. In particular, there is a program recognized by the Chinese government as "healthy qigong".

Types and Diverse Approaches of Qigong

There are various types of qigong depending on their purpose and method. Typical examples include the following:

Like seiko or meditation, it is qigong performed in a stationary posture. It aims to nourish inner energy and promote mental stability.
It is a qigong that is performed while moving the body. Tai chi and Hachidan Nishiki are typical examples, and have the effect of cultivating the flexibility and sense of balance of the body and promoting blood circulation.
Inner Tan Gong is a form of qigong that focuses on refining the qi in the body. Through breathing exercises and meditation, you can increase the energy in your body.
Getan Gong is a form of qigong that uses external substances such as medicines and minerals to refine qi and energy.
Medical Qigong is a form of qigong aimed at treating and preventing diseases. It is performed for specific symptoms under the supervision of a professional guide.
Martial arts Qigong is a combination of martial arts and martial arts. The goal is to improve physical abilities and strengthen attack and defense power.
Healthy Qigong is a Qigong recommended by the Chinese government for the purpose of maintaining health and preventing disease. It consists of relatively simple movements and is easy to tackle even for beginners.

Qigong Practice Methods and Specific Approaches

Qigong does not require any special tools or places and can be easily started anywhere. Here are some specific ways to practice:

The basis of Qigong, a practice that cultivates a sense of qi, is to feel the "qi" in the body. First of all, relax in a quiet place, put your hands together and feel the warmth and humidity between your palms. By paying attention to the sensations that spread between the palms of your hands and the subtle changes, you can feel the presence of qi. Cultivating this sense is the first step in creating a "ball of qi".
Practice breathing techniques and be aware of deep, slow breathing. Exhale slowly and be conscious of the next breath being inhaled naturally. By concentrating on your breathing, you can relieve tension in your body and mind and have a relaxing effect. Breathing exercises are very important to enhance the effects of qigong.
When adjusting your posture and performing qigong, try to find the posture that you feel most comfortable with. It is important to keep your back straight, but you need to be careful not to apply unnatural force. By doing it in a relaxed position, you can feel the "qi" more effectively.
Imagery training is also effective in enhancing the effects of imagery training and qigong. Define your goals and visualize what you will look like when you achieve them. By using your five senses and strongly imagining your ideal figure, you will have a positive effect on your brain and will have an effect on your actual practice.
Application to daily life Qigong can be applied not only during practice but also in daily life. For example, even during daily activities such as cleaning and cooking, having a qigong awareness can help maintain physical and mental health.

Effects of Qigong and benefits for the mind and body

Qigong is known to have a variety of positive effects on physical and mental health. Specific effects include:

Stress Reduction Qigong promotes relaxation and has the effect of reducing stress. Incorporating deep breathing and meditation can help balance the autonomic nervous system and relieve tension in the mind and body. Many studies have shown that practicing Qigong reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Improving immunity Regular Qigong practice has been reported to promote the activation of immune cells and increase resistance to infections and diseases. Especially in the elderly, the improvement in immune function is remarkable.
There are many cases where symptoms are improved by incorporating Qigong for improvement of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This is thought to be due to increased blood circulation and improved metabolism.
Qigong is an effective means of balancing the mind and body. Practicing and imagery training to feel "chi" gives you the opportunity to face your inner self and brings you a sense of mental stability. By balancing your mind and body, you can improve your performance in your daily life.
By practicing tai chi and hachidan Nishiki, which are movements that improve flexibility, the flexibility of the body is improved and the range of motion of the joints is expanded.
Promoting blood circulation and practicing qigong can be expected to promote blood circulation, improve sensitivity to cold, and deliver nutrients to every corner of the body.
Improving the quality of sleep and the relaxing effect of Qigong also leads to an improvement in the quality of sleep. Practicing Qigong before going to bed can help you fall asleep smoothly and get a deep sleep.

Precautions for Qigong and safe practice

Qigong is basically a safe health method, but be sure to pay attention to the following points when practicing it.

Choose a mentor and practice under a trusted instructor. If you continue to practice in the wrong way, you may end up feeling unwell.
Try to practice at your own pace and without overdoing it. When you are not feeling well, it is important to rest without overexerting yourself.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor in advance to make sure that there are no problems with practicing qigong.
Qigong in combination with medical care is only a complementary therapy and is not intended to treat diseases. If you have a serious illness, it is important to prioritize diagnosis and treatment in a medical institution.

Qigong and New Possibilities in Modern Society

In recent years, Qigong has been reevaluated as a means of caring for the mind, maintaining health, and improving self-healing power in a stressful society. The number of practitioners of Qigong is increasing around the world, and research on its effects is also underway.

In particular, as the aging society progresses, qigong is expected to play a greater role as a means of extending healthy life expectancy. In addition, for people living in a stressful society, qigong can be an effective means of balancing the mind and body and reducing stress.

Qigong is a therapy with high potential that can meet the needs of modern society while being an ancient and traditional health method. Why don't you take this opportunity to experience the world of Qigong and experience its benefits?

Summary

Qigong is a profound traditional therapy that has the potential to promote physical and mental health and improve quality of life. By understanding its history, practices, effects, and precautions, you can incorporate qigong more effectively.

We hope that this passage will help you to deepen your understanding of Qigong and live a healthier life.

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