Yan jing yi shen gong or qi gong is an ancient form of Chinese medicine and healing that is similiar to yoga. According to Wellness, qi gong is at least 4,000 years old and features two main forms of exercise, internal and external. Internal qi gong is more along the lines of yoga, while external qi gong involves a qi gong healer using methods like acupuncture to work on a patient. Internal qi gong exercises can be performed anywhere you have a little space.
Step 1
Learn the different qi gong movements by taking a class, studying or researching. According to the Chinese government, there are over 5,000 types of qi gong. There are some that are standard moves, as in yoga.
Step 2
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands and legs fully extended to perform the balancing-the-chi exercise. According to Everday Tai Chi, some form of balancing the chi is usually used to finish a qi gong set or exercise. To start, bring your hands to your waist with your palms facing up. As you raise your hands to chest height, raise your heels off the ground like you are performing a calf raise. Lower and return to the starting position. Everyday Tai Chi says to stay balanced and not raise up so high you lose your balance.
Step 3
Perform the awakening-the-chi movement to begin your qi gong routine. According to Everyday Tai Chi, this is one of the most popular opening movements. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Bring your hands together at your waist and, with your palms facing up, raise your hands to chest height and raise your head and shoulders with the hands. Return to the starting position by lowering the hands and head. Everyday Tai Chi says you should allow your body to sink back to the starting point.
Step 4
Use more advanced qi gong moves like the roc spreads its wings as you improve in the basic movements. According to Everday Tai Chi, this exercise improves back strength and balance, and the Chinese claim it helps relieve depression. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your sides. Then alternate from arching your body forward, until you are bent at the waist, to arching it backward as far as you can bend, with your hands extended as far apart as possible.
Member Comments