Qigong may go back 10,000 years. There are written records dating back 4,000 years. The word Qi (pronounced "chee") translates to "vital breath", life force, or living energy. Gong (pronounced "goong") means discipline, work, or skill. This practice involves breathing, stretching, and exercises which may provide a host of health and medical benefits. Qigong is also considered the precursor to later "soft" forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine and "hard" forms (martial arts).
In Dr. Chow's approach, the body, mind, and spirit all interact with one another, the immediate environment, and the Universe. Fitness and health promotion are emphasized and stress and tension are often seen as common precursors to disease.
Another concept is that all true healing emanates from a higher power and that effective healing occurs when a healer or a practitioner has facilitated the flow of qi from a higher source.
One of the primary tenants of qigong is that the mind is made of Qi. The brain is analogous to our computer hardware. The mind constitutes the software of the brain. Another primary tenant of qigong is that qi attracts qi. Put these two tenants together and you have the explanation of how qigong works. Where the mind goes, the qi flows.
All matter has Qi. Mind is composed of Qi. Qi is the underlying power that makes all of the systems work. Where there is Qi the body, mind and spirit can work. Loss of Qi there is no more life. Qi enables the mind, body and emotions to all work together. The mind is the hard disc. Brain does not work unless has Qi. Qi is needed for the body and mind to work.
Reasons to practice Qigong