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Qigong Exercise
Qigong is one of the four pillars of traditional Chinese medicine, together with Acupuncture, Massage and Herbal Medicines. Qigong is a practice that can be easily self-initiated, and to say the least, is the mother of Chinese self-healing. Qigong has been trusted and practiced for generations to reduce stress and anxiety, while improving overall physical fitness, balance, and flexibility. Qigong is basically a holistic practice for promoting longevity by focusing on the three key areas: strengthening the human body, concentrating the mind, and promoting the human spirit. It is a practice that combines the physical, mental, and spiritual components through different forms of exercises to provide a number of benefits. The word Qi stands for vitality, energy, life force, while Gong means practice, cultivate, refine. Thus Qigong = to cultivate and refine through practice one's vitality or life force. It is the Qi or life force that maintains the healthy and harmonious function of the human body's self regulating systems. Qigong, simply stated, is the cultivation of Qi or vital life energy. Qigong seeks to stimulate the flow of Qi along the invisible channels, or meridians, that are thought to course throughout the body. Stated in a more modern and scientific language, Qigong is the practice of activating, refining and circulating the human bioelectrical field. Because the bioelectrical field maintains and supports the function of the organs and tissues, Qigong can have a profound effect on health. One of the easiest ways to differentiate Qigong exercise from other physical 'gym' exercises is that real Qigong works on energy, whereas gentle exercises work on the physical body. When aligned well, Qigong can be a powerful practice that can help in reducing the symptoms associated with illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, rheumatism, kidney problems, ulcers, bodily pain and other chronic, degenerative diseases. Some practitioners with many years of Qigong practice behind them, are convinced that Qigong 'cured' them from these diseases, and often develop a renewed trust in this ancient art of healing. Click here to read the real life story of how I overcame chronic osteoporosis with Qigong. One of the few reasons that Qigong 'heals' is because it moderates the function of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands, as well as the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, to decrease pain, increase immunity, and improve mood. It also helps to increase the amount of disease-fighting white blood cells in the blood, promotes the production of enzymes and other substances needed for digestion, and improves the oxygen supply by increasing the lung's capacity to absorb this vital substance. Qigong also helps in the reductions in heart rate and blood pressure, dilation of the blood vessels, and enhanced oxygenation of the tissues. Qigong exercises are said to have a beneficial effect on the nerves that regulate the pain response. By increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid, they are thought to improve the efficiency of the immune system. And by improving circulation, it helps speed elimination of toxic substances from the body, improving general health. While there are many different types of Qigong exercises, they are all generally simple and can be practiced by anyone - both young and old, healthy and sick. Qigong exercises can also be easily adapted to your physical capabilities. For starters, check out these simple Qigong exercises that can be performed at anytime and at any place; while walking, standing, sitting in a wheelchair, or even lying down! Article contributed by Thiaga, a devoted Qigong practitioner.
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