Qigong & Meditation

Qigong is a popular mind-body exercise derived from traditional Chinese medicine. As a holistic practice, qigong, which is pronounced "chi-gung," combines meditation, body movements and breathing techniques to improve health and well-being. The meditative aspects of qigong focus on channeling qi, or life force, to reach new spiritual heights. All qigong activities, from martial art practices to sitting visualization practices, involve specific body postures as well, creating a unity between the mind and body.

History of Qigong

Qigong was termed in 1948, according to the Qigong Institute, but its practices derive from ancient Chinese practical philosophies including Taoism and dao yin. Medical qigong is the oldest of the four branches of traditional Chinese medicine. The spiritual and meditative practices of chigung were also influenced by Buddhism, which came from India, and Confucianism.

Philosophy of Qigong

Chigong literally means "working with the life force." Qi corresponds with the West's notion of bioelectrical energy. Harnessing and cultivating Qi begins the breath and developing the mental ability to channel qi to places in the body that need healing or attention. This energetic system is also the philosophical foundation of acupuncture and Chinese massage, which use more advanced techniques to channel the body's qi, according to the University of Minnesota's research into qigong.

Meditations

Known as nei dan, or "inner elixir," meditative qigong includes sitting meditation and visualization practices. Meditation practices help reduce stress and increase mindfulness. Depending on your intention, sitting meditations can increase qi, circulate it or be gathered for the purpose of healing others. The National Qigong Institute also suggests that meditation can improve life enjoyment by bringing balance and harmony to everyday life.

Visualization Practices

The Qigong Institute also recommends also visualization practices. There are many forms of qigong and a variety of visualization methods, too. Most involve simple breathing and visualization. Qigong visualization meditations have been shown to have an effect on the brain. A 1993 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that qigong meditation creates measurable changes in the visual cortex.

Health Benefits

Qigong enthusiasts claim many health benefits as the practice of qigong penetrates every aspect of life. Many hospitals offer qigong classes and workshops as a complementary medical treatment, according to the International Institute of Medical Qigong. While meditation has a known effect on reducing stress, some of the other health benefits have not been corroborated by Western medicine. However, a 2010 study published by the journal Quality of Life Research found that a tai-chi and qigong practice helped sufferers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with their breathing difficulty as well as the level of pain from physical movement.