There are five primary reasons why individuals choose to practice qigong.
- Health and Vitality: Qigong is literally the art of managing your vital energy. Vital energy, or chi/qi, is what keeps you and me alive. Qigong means energy work, and it works directly on your energy. Qigong is based firmly on the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In a nutshell, your energy flows through meridians. If these meridians are blocked, illness results. It depends on the severity of the blockage. If the blockage is enough to stop the flow of chi, qi, or energy completely, death rapidly follows! The first aim of qigong is to remove these energy blockages, and the great thing about qigong is that unlike acupuncture, tui na, herbs, and diet (the other main branches of TCM), you don’t need to know where these energy blockages are. Practice high-level qigong, and your chi or qi will naturally flow to these areas of blockage (low energy) and work on removing them. Qigong really is that clever! With the clearing away of blockages, health and vitality are the results.
- Longevity, the forte of qigong, is in two parts. The first is to remove blockages and promote health and vitality. But qigong, practiced daily and correctly, will also increase longevity. How? Well-smooth chi flow through the meridians (energy channels) of the body = good health. When the flow is strong, you have vitality, and when you have an abundance of energy (chi or qi you will live a long, healthy, and happy life. But keep in mind that qigong is not some 30-day miracle cure! No, to get these benefits of qigong, it must be practiced correctly every single day.
- Internal Force: think of this as energy+. It’s what allows you to wake up in the morning feeling good to go. Work hard all day, come home at the end of the day, and still have plenty of time to get up and go left to enjoy your time with family or friends. It can also be used by martial arts practitioners to make them more effective in combat. It is very common for qigong to be practiced by martial artists. But the type of qigong practiced is usually different as they have different needs.
- Mind Expansion: Qigong is great for scholars and creatives. Imagine being able to tap into more of your natural talent. Qigong helps to clear the mind of useless clutter. The practice of qigong allows you to focus your mind. Think of your mind as the sun, and think of qigong as a magnifying glass. Put the two together, and you have great power!
- Spiritual Cultivation: Let‘s get one thing straight right from the start. Qigong is non-religious. Practitioners of any religion, or those who don’t practice a religion, can practice qigong and gain its benefits. By spiritual, I mean that inner part of you that makes you uniquely you. Qigong helps you cultivate that part of you. We all have a spiritual side to us, and sadly, it is often the most neglected part. Personally, I believe that is why illnesses like depression, anxiety, and stress are so rampant in our society today. We seem to place little or no value on spirit. Practice qigong, and whether you believe you are a spiritual being or not, you will protect yourself from depression and anxiety and increase your resistance to stress.
If only all qigong were created equal, though…
Marcus James Santer
