Qi Gong, an art of wellbeing and health
Qi Gong means "life energy training". The term Qi Gong appeared around 1910 and was previously knew as Yang Sheng Shu or "the art to cultivate life"
The therapeutic principles of Yang Sheng Shu have been studied in China for over 2000 years.
Over the centuries, they have been enriched by the practice of martial arts, massage, herbal medecine, acupuncture, moxibustion and the study of the meridians.
IS QI GONG AN ART OF WELL-BEING AND HEALTH?
Qi Gong is a Chinese art of well being and health :
Its practice allows to develop and improve the circulation of vital energy inside the body, through the meridians. The result is a better overall functioning of the body and a progressive reduction of muscular and emotional tensions.
Everyone practices according to his or her own physical abilities and regardless of age, without any spirit of competition or comparison.
The form related to Qi Gong taught with taofitcoaching is called Yang Sheng Zhuang Qi Gong, which is based on four axes: posture, meditation or concentration on mental images, regulation of breathing and, the slow movement.
Lucas Galliot, trained in China, teaches YANG SHENG ZHUANG, a Qi Gong method recognized as being of public utility in the Middle Kingdom and the basis of most Qi Gong.
HISTORY OF YANG SHENG ZHUANG QI GONG
The therapeutic principles of YANG SHENG SHU have been studied in China for over 2000 years. Over the centuries, they have been enriched by the practice of martial arts, massage, herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and the study of meridians. Its evolution is also linked to philosophical and spiritual practices (Buddhism, Hinduism, Tibetanism, Taoism, Shamanism), which deal with the relationship between man and his environment.
From the end of the forties, Master Wang Xiang Zhaï, the founder of Yi Quan, modified part of his teaching and called this art of health YANG SHENG ZHUANG, which has as a base the Zhan Zhuang Gong.
Zhan Zhuang Gong, which means “training by standing”, designates a set of exercises which are done, according to the physical state of the practitioner, in standing, sitting, lying down or moving position. It includes techniques that improve the metabolism of the body and facilitate blood circulation. Zhan Zhuang Gong is the basis for most Qi Gong practiced in China and now in the West.
Zhan Zhuang Gong has been recognized as a public utility in China since the mid-fifties, when Master Wang began teaching in medical institutes, such as the one in Hebei.
Yang Sheng Zhuang: standing, sitting and lying down by Wang Xuanjie, disciple of Wang Xiang Zhai
WHAT IS YANG SHENG ZHUANG QI GONG?
Yang Sheng Zhuang Qi Gong means “Life Energy Training through Life Cultivating Postures”:
Yi Quan, in addition to its martial dimension through the search of efficiency in combat, incorporates another dimension, well being and longevity, without which a martial art would not be complete. This is the Yang Sheng Zhuang Qi Gong.
Yang Sheng, means “to nourish the body” and Zhuang means “to stand like a stake in the ground”. Yang Sheng Zhuang or “postures for cultivating life”, without its martial applications, is known to be the basis of many forms of Qi Gong. Nevertheless, the “postures for cultivating life” do not use breathing as the main means for circulating the vital breath. They are not concerned with the theory of small or large circulation, thus eliminating any side effects (dizziness, bleeding, heaviness, unclear mind). e.t.c…..
These health-related techniques are mostly the same as those used in the martial aspect. What changes is the intensity of the concentration, the length and the difficulty of the postures and the movements, which are attenuated when they are intended for the good being.
YANG SHENG ZHUANG, based on the study of Zhan Zhuang Gong (“training by standing postures”) integrates simultaneously, in each exercise, four components: the posture, the concentration which establishes relaxation, the regulation of breathing and movement.
The main goal of this practice is obtained by: the right posture and the resting of the cerebral activity.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YANG SHENG QI GONG?
It is well known that all activity of the human body is controlled by the central nervous system, which in turn is directed by the activity of the brain. To train the brain during the time of the postures, is the essential element for the wellbeing and the health. Why is this?
– The state of quietness and relaxation balances our sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This means that the number of heartbeats decreases. The blood pressure and the breathing are regulated.
– The immunitary system becomes stronger.
– We consume less energy with the cardiopulmonary system functioning almost as if it were at rest
– We are in a state of doing and not of being.
– Negative thoughts evaporate.
– The organism is in a better state and it shows a physical well-being and an optimism that is unbeatable.
– There are no side effects.
What are the other benefits of Qi Gong?
The regular practice of Yang Sheng Zhuang Qi Gong exercises can prevent the onset of diseases, possibly cure them, and prolong life by improving its quality.
Without the use of drugs and without special equipment, it reduces high blood pressure, rheumatism, lowers the heart rate, improves concentration, stress, stomach ulcers and many other ailments.
The exercises improve back posture, muscle tone, flexibility and have a balancing action on the internal organs of the body (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys), resulting in a better overall balance and increased vital energy.
A PRACTICE IN ITS OWN RIGHT :
Yang Sheng Zhuang Qi Gong is studied with taofitcoaching in the YI QUAN courses, but can also be the object of a specific teaching if one wishes to concentrate his work on the well-being aspect of a physical and spiritual practice.
Theses exercises are very suitable for women or middle-aged people, even those who have never practiced martial arts. On the contrary, it is an excellent way to discover them by strengthening one’s vital energy and improving flexibility and balance.
WHAT ARE THE HEALINGS EFFECTS OF YANG SHENG QI GONG?
Zhan Zhuang aims at training the body and the mind simultaneously. It is a spiritual, psychological and physical training. The realization of the health posture involves great concentration, overall relaxation of the body and deep and natural breathing. It can be said to be a form of exercise in rest and rest in exercise.
The healing effects of the health posture are found on two levels:
– The central nervous system is rested and regulated and its regulatory function on the entire cortex is improved. The posture promotes blood circulation and improves the metabolism of the cell tissue.
Energy expenditure is very high when we are tense. Psychic tension affects the tension of the organs, causes the acceleration of the cardiac and respiratory rhythm, as well as the increase of the blood pressure and the oxygen expenditure. Such tension leads to the excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, the inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system and the fatigue of the body.
The health posture therefore requires concentration and relaxation. By relaxing, we can reduce and control the level of excitation of the sympathetic system and increase that of the parasympathetic system. This way the blood circulation is more fluid, the blood pressure is lowered, the breathing is smoother, the oxygen expenditure is reduced and the metabolism is improved, allowing to eliminate fatigue.
The health posture favors concentration, to calm thoughts and emotions. The practitioner can sometimes enter a state of semi-consciousness, half awake, without affecting the healing effects. The energy expenditure is then very low, favoring the accumulation of energy. The central nervous system is calmed and the brain cells rest. The level of excitation of the cells in the cerebral cortex drops sharply and the body’s reactions to psychological tension, such as headaches, dizziness and psychological weariness, disappear.
– In addition, the relaxation of the central nervous system achieved through this state of calm eliminates spasms of the smooth muscles, improves the function of the digestive, endocrine and excretory systems, regulates the respiratory system, strengthens the metabolism and stabilizes the blood pressure.
The health posture is very effective in treating chronic diseases. The relaxation and calmness it provides helps to treat cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease or hemiplegia.
– Yang Sheng Qi Gong uses thought to create conditioned reflexes and stimulate vascular smooth muscle activity to speed up blood circulation. These thoughts or visualizations are pleasant and help to dispel tension and worries. The conditioned reflexes are thus obtained in a gentle way.
In posture the mind is concentrated, light and happy. The attention is focused on the sensation created by the thought. This mental work chases away cogitations. The cellular activity of the brain decreases and stabilizes, and the regulatory function of the central nervous system is restored. The health posture allows us to treat disorders of the nervous system, by seeking relaxation of the mind and body. Tensions are released through thought and the organs are strengthened by working gently.
– Health posture is also effective in treating movement disorders. The intensity of the exercise should be adequate to strengthen the functions of the organs and improve the immune system. Relaxation and muscle work as well as improved blood circulation help to cure movement disorders, such as back pain.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF QI GONG?
Before the Han dynasty, until 206 BC
Appearance of the I Ching (the book of mutations) and the concept of the 3 energies: heaven / man / earth.
Two types of training also appeared during this period, Confucian and Taoist, whose aim was to maintain good health and increase longevity.
Originally, in the first forms of Chinese acupuncture, doctors used stone punches, then bone and bamboo. Then came the metal needles (bronze).
-206 à +502
3 schools of Qi Gong develop
– Buddhist
– Hindu
– Taoist
The goal of Qi Gong is to make man escape the cycle of reincarnations.
A doctor of the 3rd century, Hua Tuo, affirms that one can work the Qi thanks to the thought. He formalized the movements in order to allow a better work of the energy.
502 à 1911
The work concerning Qi develops and reaches a very high level.
Qi Gong is adapted to the practice of Martial Arts, notably thanks to the practice of Qi Gong in the Shaolin temple and on the Wu Dan and Emei mountains.
Between 585 and 910
Massages and phytotherapy appear.
Around 1106, a doctor named Wang Wei Yi created the life-size copper mannequin or “Bronze Man” in order to visualize the acupuncture points. He treated the emperor, healed him and this allowed him to develop his art.
Around 1102/1106, he works on tortured people that he dissects alive, helped by secretaries and drawers, in order to increase his knowledge. It was around 1068 -1086 that acupuncture was taught for the first time at the university.
Wang Wei Yi wrote the “Illustrated manual of acupuncture and moxibustion points according to the bronze statue”.
At the beginning of the twelfth century, General Yue Fei (Southern Song Dynasty) created the ancestor of Xing Yi Quan.
He also developed the series of health exercises called “the 8 pieces of brocade” or Ba Duan Jin.
He insists on the fact that the thought (YI) must lead the vital breath (QI) and the movements.
Around 1279, Chang San Feng, a Taoist hermit, created Taîji Quan.
During the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the physician Yang Chi Chou gathered all the information concerning acupuncture and agreed on the divergent views on the subject.
In the 18th century: creation of Ba Gua Quan, another martial art that uses the principles of Qi Gong.
QI GONG IN CHINA TODAY
Qi Gong must allow man to be in resonance with nature. If this is difficult in our Western societies, it has also become difficult in modern Chinese society.
Nowadays, the Chinese, Japanese and Far Eastern cultures in general have many exchanges.
Since the advent of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the propagation of Qi Gong has been based more on increasing the health of the people than on obtaining an opening towards the universe, a more spiritual vision.
Many forms have taken as a basis the exercises for the health of the YI QUAN, the YANG SHENG ZHUANG
HOW MANY FORMS OF QI GONG ARE THERE?
There are 6 schools:
1) Medicinal school:
Its purpose is prophylactic, to preserve and strengthen health and well-being and to cure diseases.
2) Confucian School:
Established by Confucius in the 6th century BC and developed by Mancius in the 4th century BC. This school is characterized by three directions of work: Knowledge, morality and righteous.
3) Buddhist school:
– The teaching is based on mental training and liberation.
– the SAMADHI school which says that “all is only illusion”.
– The CHAN school (ZEN in Japanese), which aims at the purification of the individual.
4) Taoist school :
Preaches non-action, “WU WEI”. It aims at increasing longevity and living in harmony with nature.
5) Shaman’s school:
Seeks to restore the balance between the visible and the invisible
6) Martial Arts school:
Inspired by the previous schools, It aims at maintaining and improving health and well-being and eventually using this vigor in combat.
WHAT ARE THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF QI GONG?
The common points of the different form of Qi Gong:
It should be emphasized that Qi Gong is a method that considers the human being as a whole, in its globality. The different forms of Qi Gong are always based on the same principles:
– Body postures
– Fixation of the mind (concentration/meditation)
– Regulation of the breath
– Movement
All Qi Gong exercises requires patience and regular practice.
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF CHINESE MEDICINE AND COSMOGONY?
In the beginning, the Chaos…
Everything starts from the primitive Chaos: the Way and its Virtue or TAO in Chinese.
WU JI: state of being, non-energy.
Symbol of Yin and Yang
Yin : feminine principle, soft, dark side of the mountain. Negative –
Yang : male principle, hard, illuminated side of the mountain. Positive +
JING: vital essence, fixed on the ovaries or gonads, generated from the ovum and sperm. It is the home of SHEN (spirit). It represents the potential of the external aspect of the processes taking place in fine living matter (such as protein synthesis and degradation of proteins).
The most important organs to maintain in good health for the proper use of the JING are the kidneys. The quality of QI (life energy) will depend on the use of Jing.
WHAT IS THE QI?
The prenatal Qi is the mixture of the respective Qi of the father and the mother. It has an influence on the Qi of the unborn child. The health and emotional state of the parents at the time of conception has a great influence on the Qi of the child. The post-natal QI depends on several factors:
Quality of the air inspired
Quality of the food ingested
Quality of thoughts (emotions…)
Quality of the training of the body and mind
The Qi circulates optimally through the meridians when relaxation is at its maximum (relaxation of muscles, tendons, joints). Insufficient relaxation hinders or blocks the circulation of the QI. In all eras, the common notion of Chinese Medicine is that diseases appear when the mind is not awake.
Thought (Yi) encompasses a higher form of energy that allows the Jing to perform its functions.
SHEN (mind) covers the functions of consciousness, unconsciousness, and governs and governs all the functions of the body. Information is captured in our environment through our senses.
WEl: external, outside
The unconsidered practice of WEl (external forms) causes a dispertion of the Qi, a premature ageing of the tissues and a premature aging of the tissues and degeneration of the individual.
NEl : internal, inner
NEI GONG : internal training
The practice of NEI GONG brings longevity, well-being and a diffusion of energy in the whole body the whole body, up to the extremities.
WHAT ARE THE ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS FACTOR OF THE QI ?
The exogenous factors of balance of the Qi :
Exogenous factors of Qi balance are : cold, wind, heat, humidity, dryness, fire; But also the way of life: for example, the irregularity of wakefulness and sleep overworks the liver and the sexual excesses overwork the kidneys.
The endogenous factors of Qi :
The 7 feelings are joy, anger, melancholy, obsession, grief, anxiety and fear.
The 6 pleasures penetrate through: eyes, nose, body, ears, tongue and thought
The balance and quality of all these factors determines the quality of the QI.
Excessive emotions affect health.
For example: anger acts on the liver, which distills blood to the brain, sadness and melancholy oppress the lungs, hence a lower quality of oxygenation, etc…
WHAT ARE THE ZANG AND FU ORGANS ?
1) “Primary” organs – ZANG organs (organs of energy reserve)
Flat organs, of a Yin nature: heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, liver, pericardium (“around the heart”, membrane surrounding the heart).
2) “Secondary” organs – FU organs (transport organs): hollow viscera, Yang in nature
– large intestine (Yang): associated with the lungs (Yin)
– small intestine (Yang): associated with the heart (Yin)
– stomach (Yang): associated with the spleen (Yin)
– gallbladder (Yang): associated with the liver (Yin)
– bladder (Yang): associated with the kidneys (Yin)
3) The warmers :
They control the functions or systems that elaborate and distribute the new energies created in the body from the ancestral energy, the energy coming from the air and the
energy from the air and energy from food.
.sanjiao: triple heater (san=3)
Upper heater: the rib cage and the lungs.
Middle heater: upper part of the abdomen and the digestive organs.
Lower warmer: lower part of the abdomen, the organs of elimination and reproduction.
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