Qigong, also called nei gong, is an ancient Chinese exercise system of energy and healing. It involves using gentle movement, meditation and slow breathing to strengthen and cleanse the life energy in your body, called “qi”. Qi, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is an invisible energy stored in your abdominal area. This energy is cultivated through movement, deep breathing and mental focus. Practicing Qigong can help increase this qi energy and strengthen your internal organs while flushing out toxins.
Step 1
Learn Qigong by enrolling in a class. Contact a local Qigong school; alternatively, many communities offer free Qigong classs at local parks or beaches. A Qigong class will be worth attending if the instructor has many years of experience with a good background. The National Qigong Association's website has a search engine that can locate a Qigong school near you (see Resources).
Step 2
Read instructional books about Qigong that have pictures describing each movement. Examples of such books include “The Essential Qigong Training Course” by Ken Cohen and “Qigong for Health & Martial Arts” by Yang Jwing-Ming. Also, find a partner to practice with for a third-person visual interpretation of each Qigong movement.
Step 3
Rent a Qigong instructional video from your local library. When browsing through the catalog, look for a video that is up to date for better production and picture quality. Write down notes on any Qigong movements you find confusing while watching the video and rewind to watch the scenes again if you need to.
Step 4
Learn Qigong online for free. There are numerous Qigong videos and resources at Flashmavi.com (see Resources) as well as Qigong Internet groups and bulletin boards. Interact with fellow Qigong practitioners online through message boards and ask questions about movements you are unclear about during your training.
References
- “The Essential Qigong Training Course”; Ken Cohen; 2005
- “Qigong for Health & Martial Arts”; Yang Jwing-Ming; 1998
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