Is Western Medicine as Steady as a Rock or Does it Just Have a Chip On Its Shoulder?
Finally, after 5,000 years, Qigong makes its point with gentle persuasion.
It only took 5,000 years to catch on in the West, but now that it’s gaining momentum, Qigong is here to stay and spreading like wildfire throughout medical and rehabilitation communities alike. Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) consists of gentle movements and various meditations designed to massage internal organs, balance and strengthen the body’s energies, relax the mind and improve the body’s circulation. Qigong techniques ignite the body’s natural wellbeing and healing ability.
Qigong (meaning 'working with', or 'moving' exercises) has been practiced for centuries in China and is based on ancient therapeutic exercises that were developed for health and wellbeing.
The therapy includes different breathing exercises, moving and stationary poses, mental techniques and meditation practices designed to promote the flow of 'chi' (energy) in the body, increase vitality and flexibility, promote relaxation and heal disease. In China, Qigong is taught in schools and used in clinics and hospitals every day, and its practice has been steadily spreading worldwide.
Its global appeal is partly due to the fact that anyone can practice it. Qigong is a lot easier to learn than tai chi and is a more gentle form of exercise. It can be performed standing, sitting or lying down, making it very suitable for sick, disabled or elderly people.
Qigong can also be practiced while walking or even sitting in front of a computer. It can also heal us when we are sick, it is gentle and relaxing and very easy to practice. Even 10 minutes a day is beneficial, and you will find yourself feeling calm and energized.
It's particularly beneficial for fatigue, stress and joint problems. There are several ways Qigong can help us sleep soundly and more deeply. It is an excellent "stress reducer," and stress reduction is an instantaneous result of practicing Qigong, but there are other benefits as well. If you have trouble sleeping due to chronic pain or suffer from back pain, Qigong can help here, too.
Qigong is a series of ancient Chinese exercises, which use breathing and visualization to improve all areas of human health – physical, mental and spiritual. It has been practiced in China for over 5,000 years. These days, it is widely accepted that Chinese medicine has a lot to offer that our traditional western medicine does not.
Many doctors and clinics in the West are now recommending Qigong to their patients - not as an alternative to western medicine, but more as a complementary companion to our drugs and surgery. Western medicine aims to cure sickness and its symptoms whereas Chinese medicine is more about prevention of disease and enabling us to heal ourselves harmoniously.
The Chinese believe all sickness is caused by blockages in the chi (or qui) energy in the human body. Qigong not only brings more energy into the body, it also balances the energies within it. If the energy is blocked or out of balance for a long period of time, this can lead to disease (dis-ease) in the body. Qigong encourages the body to heal itself by putting the body's yin and yang energy into balance.
The human body is actually designed to heal itself. Trouble comes when it gets stuffed full of junk food, cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes. It is subject to stresses from your job, finances or relatives. It gets flopped on the couch and inundated with TV for hours. Many things, not all of them under our control, can cause energy blockages. Emotional stress, bad diet, changes in the weather, pollution and injury are some causes.
Our modern lifestyle, fast foods and insufficient time to relax all contribute to energy blockages. It’s no wonder we get sick. In the West, our energies need to be at the forefront of our health consciousness as much as the common cold.
One medical doctor at the Qigong Institute states, "Qigong is as important as antibiotics and immunizations." It’s this shift in thinking that will be the only way the West will finally begin to go with the flow and find itself on course and in harmony with total living health.
Article from John Eagle Honda EdgeLine monthly newsletter (sorry for owners only! but maybe they borrowed it from somewhere else, it's an easily Googled subject...)
Saturday - May 10, 2008
