Qigong is an ancient Chinese health system that uses specific breathing techniques combined with intense mental focus to calm your mind and enhance health. Some Qigong exercises focus solely on the breath, while others incorporate movement. Qigong is often practiced to relieve various health problems including hypertension.
Meaning
The system of Qigong features two parts; the "qi" or energy of the universe and life force, and the "gong" meaning to practice with skill. The Qigong Institute says that millions of people practice Qigong each day to treat disease and prolong life.
Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is measured as the force of your blood as it is pumped through your arteries. Hypertension can be categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary hypertension makes up about 95 percent of cases, but the cause is unknown, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Secondary hypertension typically has an underlying cause such as kidney disorder, endocrine disorder, narcotic and alcohol abuse or obstructive sleep apnea. Risk factors for hypertension include lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol abuse, a high sodium intake, being overweight and stress. Complications from unaddressed hypertension include coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney disorders, retina problems and impotence.
Qigong Visual Exercise
All of the exercises practiced in Qigong act to calm your mind and ease stress from your body. Qigong can also help you shed extra pounds, which is beneficial for hypertension. To calm your mind, sit comfortably and inhale slowly, letting your belly expand. Focus on filling up your lungs from the bottom to the top. When you exhale, move your belly toward your spine. For deep relaxation, sit up straight with your spine aligned and long. Close your eyes and imagine cool water pouring slowly over your head and body. Imagine that all of the tension in your body is flowing away with the water, and that the water flows into the earth after it reaches your feet.
Qigong Motion Exercise
Many Qigong exercises incorporate flowing movements along with concentrated breathing. In the Flowing Motion movement, you raise up onto your toes while at the same time bringing both palms up in front of your body. As you reach the top, you lower your body, turning your hands over and pushing them down to thigh level. The exercise is performed as a continuous, flowing motion. Another movement exercise is Rolling the Ball, where you have an imaginary ball in your hands. You can move the ball in any direction up, down or sideways, but you can't let your hands pass through the ball. Your feet remain stationary, but you can bend your knees and move your upper body in all directions.
Considerations
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the relationship between hypertension and stress as a risk factor is complicated and controversial. Proponents of Qigong believe that practicing the art regularly has the potential to eliminate stress and reduce high blood pressure, but mainstream medicine doesn't necessarily agree. Science has proven a link between weight loss and lowered blood pressure, so the movements of Qigong can act as your daily exercise, if nothing else. Discuss your intentions with your health care practitioner before embarking on an exercise routine.
