Longfei-Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

A Brief Guide to Qigong Practice
Longfei News Letters - Volume 2, Issue 2

Part 2 A Personal Understanding, by Dick Watson

In the last issue I sketched a picture, albeit brief, as to why acceptance of Qigong methods have been delayed. In Chinese society the modern development is surely a rebirth.

In the West and Britain in particular, Qigong methods may have a special place. 'From the cradle to the grave' philosophy of the welfare state has diminished into oblivion with the impossible financial burdens imposed by the costs of sophisticated medical technique. The comforting role of the GP is constantly reviewed under the microscope The medical profession as a whole is one of the most stressed sections of modern society.

While our health service excels in chronic illness their contribution to health maintenance is questionable. At this time there is a vacuum into which the self help for body maintenance must be taken ever more seriously. Qigong (work on energetic) is one such method.

If you ask the average Chinese non-Qigong practitioner, what the meaning of the word Qi is (should they be able to speak English), they are likely to answer that it's air. That is the air we breathe and this could be all you would get.

I think this a little like saying in answer to 'what is water' that it's a transparent colourless liquid that we drink - perhaps a broader view would be that it is the substance of ice, steam, snow, cloud, lakes, rivers, seas, tears, saliva, rain, sweat, urine and makes up eighty per cent of the body's fluid. We know that a main constituent of air is oxygen and whilst my average Chinese would say that it's the air you breathe, perhaps his 'ideogram'  conception is much wider and deeper, a cultural conscious acceptance of our chemical dependence on oxygen. Our own dictionary definition is: 'a gas, atomic number 8, symbol O, without taste, colour or smell, forming part of air and water, supporting life and combustion.' 

Air = supporting life, combustion, = fuel for the ignition of the metabolism. (Chambers Dictionary: sum total of chemical changes of living matter) = Qi. Qigong = Energetics?  

Energetics is the science of the general laws of energy. Gong. Gong represents work, experience, going through. So Qigong is the work of  understanding and applying the laws of energy quotient. A practical examination rather than an interlectual enquiry.

Qigong: the practice of uniting mental faculties, essence of life and Qi (vital energy) by regulating the breathing and concentrating the mind. Combining physical training with health promotion.

Daoyin: Synonym, Qigong Daoist concept which advocates voluntary circulation of body energy (Qi) through exercise. Oldest form of health care known in China, employing physical and breathing exercise.

There is a large popular following of these methods throughout China. Overcoming many setbacks throughout this century it is now firmly established in Chinese hospitals for medical purposes and by doctors advocating internal and external exercise in the treatment of disease. Qigong is a method of self cultivation also for the healthy. The practitioner is self-motivated to train body and mind, holistic training to bring balance, self reliance, self adjustment, invigorating and strengthening the constitution, keeping at bay premature ageing and enhancing longevity.

Of course the maintenance of good health and recovery from sickness depend on a variety of factors. While Qigong is an effective method of health care, we must also consider a balance between work and relaxation and take care with our diet. Since 1949 and the foundation of the People's Republic the government has promoted Qigong as part of its medical and health care programs. This self help philosophy would not go amiss with our own over-taxed health authorities. 

There are among the many thousands of Qigong methods those that foster myth, superstition and mystery. This is not uncommon in China where there is renewed interest and growth in Qigong arts. Charlatans will arise to make false promises and deal in the pursuance of the unattainable and the magical, we students need to use our discretion. That to which we aspire is obtained with disciplined daily training. A pragmatic and scientific approach is the key.

The Methods of Qigong

Generally Qigong has arisen from many sources, besides those that arise as folk medicine, as in the Chen Style of Taijiquan. We have family traditions from peasant stock, some of which are guarded with secrecy.

However, more reliable traditions come from Daoist, Buddhist and Confucian schools of thought and they in turn promote Soft Qigong, Hard Qigong, Health Promoting Qigong, Medical Qigong, and Martial Qigong, of which Taijiquan is a first class example. 

Each form delivers the requirements of its student, whether it be mental equilibrium, good health, well being, recuperation, martial strength and prowess. The techniques of training employ stationary postures as in Zhan Zhuang or standing, sitting, supine positions. More common are moving Qigong methods or dynamic Qigong such as the eight pieces of brocade or the five animal frolics. All Qigong employs techniques of respiration and visualisation to circulate the Qi. Many of society's ills are associated with stress and tension and our inadequacy to deal with them. I believe the key to Qigong success of all valued systems is the emphasis on relaxation. Relaxation and quietness combined with deep breathing promotes a natural combustion of the metabolism easing the nervous system and most importantly stimulating the immune system. Perhaps this is the most important factor easily overlooked and ignored by commentators on this enlightened form of exercise.

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