What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong is an ancient healing practise that predates the other martial arts, It is, in fact, called “the Mother of T’ai Ch’i”. Originating in Asia, this form of exercise varies in style & execution. The style that Sarah teaches & practises is Two Finger Zen Shao Lin Qi Gong, which came out of the Shao Lin temple in northern China.

The course offered is a form of “soft” or “medical” Qi Gong, because it helps to heal and strengthen the person practicing it. Simple exercises allow students to achieve increased strength, endurance and energy.

Although the exercises are relatively simple to perform, their effect should not be underestimated. Competitive athletes benefit from practicing Qi Gong for the increased grounding and energetic awareness that it creates. In fact, numerous international martial art champions include Qi Gong as part of their daily protocol to keep them competing at their best. This practice will benefit any sport activity.

For those who are chronically ill or suffer pain, Qi Gong can be of great aid. It unblocks channels in the body, allowing inflammation or stagnation to be flushed out. With regular practice, it helps to repair tissue and organ damage and increase energy levels. There are modified versions of poses that can be done by those who are unable to perform some of the regular exercises.

Pregnant women can safely practice Qi Gong. It will have a relaxing, tonic effect. Almost all of the exercises are pretty simple. One can even be done lying down.

Qi Gong practitioners can work to heal people by performing Qi Gong as an energy healing treatment on others. Thus, for those who do body work such as massage, reiki, etc., Qi Gong will greatly enhance the treatments that they give.

What to expect: Unlike T’ai Ch’i, which is a long sequence of dance-like movements, Shao Lin Qi Gong has various short warm-ups that can be performed singly or in combination. This allows a person to shorten or lengthen the daily practice, as time allows. People can choose which exercises they feel like doing on a given day, or choose exercises specific to their needs, such as immune boosting, treating back or shoulder pain, increasing lung or reproductive health, etc.

In class, after doing various warm-up exercises, students usually adopt the horse stance, which will build strength & energy through isometric tension. This is a form of physical meditation rather than a mental meditation. Holding the correct posture generates a healing energy flow throughout the body’s circuits. With practice, this will become easier to do with ever increasing health effects.

There is no time like the present to make the changes that will enhance your well being.