Benefits of Qi Gong
The history and benefits of Qi Gong are many, and allow for every individual to practice their expansion and evolution along the journey of life. Qi Gong is one of the five pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a way of life that supports harmonious living for every individual; involving a combination of movement, breathing techniques and meditation that can be regularly practiced. The history of Qi Gong extends back more than 4,000 years and consisted of ancient Chinese meditative practice of “circulating qi” by breathing exercises known as Tao Yin. The first forms of Qi Gong can be traced back to ancient shamanic practices.
These practices were eventually more formalized into other philosophical belief systems. Later these formalizations were incorporated into the field of TCM as one of the five pillars that foster health and longevity. For instance, there are many philosophies of life from which the practice of qigong developed, including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, martial arts, as well as influences from health, and exercise. There are also some surviving lineages passed down in families that are still practiced and incorporated in daily living, today. Qi Gong has historically been attributed to the Yellow Emperor and his classic Huangdi Neijing- the book of internal medicine. When regularly practiced and integrated with daily lifestyle choices, Qi Gong opens the physical, mental and spiritual planes to the natural flow of source qi.
So why should one practice Qi Gong? Each one of us is on a unique, and personal journey, both externally, as well as internally. Qi Gong is a universal practice that harmonizes, or balances not only our own natural rhythmic journeys but also our rhythm within the environments we share.
For more information, please check out the Ling Gui International Healing Qi Gong School. The school, founded by Master Liu He and Dr. Liu Dong is in the heart of Portland, Oregon. Both Master Teachers offer self-cultivation and teacher-training programs.
