Chinese Taoist philosophy suggests that people are most effective when they work with, rather than against, the things that challenge them. The early Taoist sage Chuang Tzu illustrated this idea through the story of a cook who effortlessly butchers an ox using a knife he hasn't sharpened in 19 years. His secret? He always cuts between the joints, working with the natural crevices of the carcass. Like the cook, qigong practitioners strive to move effortlessly through the day by focusing, relaxing and harmonizing with every situation that arises.
History
Qigong originated as many as 4,000 years ago, as a form of dance designed to heal the body, says Xu Xiancai, professor of Shandong College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, in Jinan City, China. In his article "History of Qigong" for InnerSelf online, Xu notes that alongside traditional medical practices like acupuncture, the ancient Chinese developed a system called Daoyin or "Guidance of Qi." Through Daoyin, practitioners used qi to heal their illnesses. Over the next several centuries, Taoists developed a systemic series of exercises for cultivating spiritual energy that today fall under the umbrella of qigong, or "energy cultivation."
Philosophy
Taoists believe that the goal of existence is to enter a state of complete unity with your surroundings--first, by unifying the self, and second, by interacting freely and completely with the external world. Ultimately, a sage merges with his surroundings, eliminating any distinction between himself, his actions and that upon which he acts, according to Stephen W. Sawyer, professor of history at Hanover College in Indiana, in his web article "The Tao as a Path." Qigong is a method for entering the first stage--unifying the self. Sawyer notes that by synchronizing breath, mind and body, exercises like qigong help the Taoist practitioner find deep inner peace.
Methods
Qigong's primary methods are breathing exercises, movement and meditation, according to Steven Kuei, qigong practitioner since 1926, and Stephen Comee, tai chi teacher and acupuncturist living in Tokyo. In their book "Beginning Qigong: Chinese Secrets for Health and Longevity," Kuei and Comee note that breathing draws qi, or energy, into the body, where it can be stored and used to transform mind, body and spirit. Movement harmonizes the organs of the body, allowing them to contribute to peak health, which in turn fosters inner peace. Meditation allows the practitioner to transcend his normal perceptions and gain insight into the ultimate unity of all things.
Keys to Successful Practice
Qigong practice depends on good posture, correct breathing and a cheerful state of mind, also known as "The Three Intentful Corrections," according to the Qigong Institute's website. Always make sure that you are standing or sitting with your spine straight when you do qigong. Collapsing the upper part of the spine can put pressure on your heart and limit proper breathing. Practice deep, abdominal breathing. Most people only breathe into their upper chests and hold their stomachs tight. "Cheerful indifference"--a light, happy focus on what you are doing--is the best frame of mind for qigong, since it lends itself to relaxation.
Benefits
The ultimate goal of qigong is the sense of peace and wholeness it offers for the regular practitioner, but Western medical research has also noted its substantial medical benefits. Improved bone health, cardio fitness, balance and self-confidence are among the many positive effects of qigong practice noted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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