The ancient Chinese discovered that there is a vital life force flowing through the body. They called this life energy “qi,” or “chi.” The purpose of qigong is to cultivate and balance qi through body movement, posture, meditation, and breathing.
As more and more people are seeking alternative medicine for their health issues, qigong is growing in popularity. And for a number of reasons, some experts believe that this wellness practice will become even more popular than yoga in the years to come.1
Qigong vs. Yoga and Tai Chi
One common question people have when they’re first introduced to qigong is, “How is it different from yoga?” Probably the most obvious difference between qigong and yoga is that qigong was developed by the Chinese, while yoga is an ancient Indian practice. Both practices aim to balance the mind and body through breathing, motions, and postures. However, qigong focuses more on breathing, slow movements, and balance, whereas yoga places more emphasis on poses and physical movements.
Another question people often have is how qigong differs from the practice of tai chi. In addition to having more complex motions, tai chi movements are also associated to martial arts. Most forms of qigong are only used for meditation and healing, and therefore its movements do not have a basis in martial arts. And while tai chi generates a greater amount of qi throughout the body, the softer movements of qigong allow for deeper, more profound meditation.2
Qigong schools and forms
Qigong is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of ancient energy arts. Different types of qigong developed over time in China, and they are tied to the culture and religion in which they were practiced. The 5 basic schools of qigong are:
- Chinese Medical Qigong – Using yin and yang to balance qi in the body
- Buddhist Qigong – Meditative practices that lead to spiritual enlightenment
- Daoist Qigong – Practices that provide a way to achieve longevity and enlightenment
- Martial Qigong – Practices that encourage qi and strengthen the body
- Confucian Qigong – A means to become a better person through awareness of morality3
Along with these schools developed in ancient China, there are also 75 ancient forms and 56 modern forms of qigong.4 Examples of these forms include the 6 Healing Sounds, 5 Animal Exercises, and 12 Limbering Exercises.
Qigong techniques and practice
Techniques for practicing qigong can be separated into two categories. The first category is the more familiar one involving concentration and physical movement. The other technique consists of visualizing while sitting in meditation. Some of the exercises in the movement, or Wai Dan, category involve holding postures for long periods of time, while others involve fluctuation in movement. In contrast, sitting meditation, or Nei Dan, is done in an upright sitting position.
To effectively practice qigong, the Qigong Institute advises following the 3 Mindful Alignments.
- Adjusting and regulating body posture/movement (upward lift and downward pull visualization)
- Adjusting and deepening breath (deep, slow, and relaxed)
- Clearing your mind (focus on the here and now)5
While the benefits of qigong can be achieved through a short session such as the 8 Brocades Practice, for example, you may benefit even more from working with a Qigong Master in a live session. Qigong Masters have a deep understanding of qi and how to control it and help you balance it. You may also consider working with a qigong practitioner. These practitioners also possess a deep working knowledge of body energy, and they often use massage, acupuncture, and qi emission techniques to help to assist individuals in the healing process.6
Qigong Benefits
One medical study measured the effect of practicing qigong using electroacupuncture according to voll (EAV), which was a precursor to ZYTO biocommunication technology. The study found that after practicing qigong, all 4 subjects had measurements that were less extreme compared to their initial test before qigong.7
Other research shows that qigong has a number of mental and emotional benefits. One study in particular found that qigong enhanced psychological well-being in test subjects, including reducing anxiety and depression.8 Other psychological benefits people have achieved through qigong include improved focus and memory, as well as decreased stress.
Since stress is said to be the underlying cause of all disease, and our emotional health is tied to our physical health, it would make sense that a stress-relieving activity like qigong would have physical benefits as well. Some of these benefits you may experience from practicing qigong include:
- Improved immune response
- Greater bone density
- Decrease in hypertension
- Improved sleep
- Better circulation
- Improved posture
- Decreased anxiety & depression
- Reduction in pain
- Improved balance9 10
The Qigong balancer Virtual Item
Qigong is a wellness service that can be scanned with the ZYTO Balance, Select, or Elite software. Scanning for the digital signature representing this item can reveal the body’s biological coherence to the service. The higher the positive score, the higher the body’s preference for qigong practice. Practitioners can use this information combined with any other balancers scanned to help clients make better decisions for their health and wellness.
About Seth Morris
Seth Morris is an experienced article writer with a background in marketing, Web content creation, and health research. In addition to writing and editing content for the ZYTO website and blog, he has written hundreds of articles for various websites on topics such as holistic wellness, health technology, and Internet marketing. Seth has earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management as well as Literary Studies.
Sources:
1. Korahais, Sifu Anthony. “16 Reasons Qigong Will Be More Popular Than Yoga in 16 Years.” Flowing Zen. Flowingzen.com.
2. Chia, Kellen. “The difference between Tai Chi and Qigong.” Tai Chi Society. Taichisociety.net.
3. “Qigong.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org.
4. Ren, Ma Ji. “Practical Qigong for Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers (1992): 466.
5. Jahnke, Roger and Rebecca McLean. “The Three Mindful Alignments.” Qigong Institute. Qigonginstitute.org.
6. “Qigong.” University of Minnesota. Takingcharge.csh.umn.edu.
7. Wang, F., J.K.F. Man, O.L. Eun-Kyoung, T. Wu, H. Benson, G.L. Fricchionne, W. Wang, & A. Yeung. “The Effects of Qigong on Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine (2013).
8. Sancier, Kenneth M. “The Effect of Qigong on Therapeutic Balancing Measured by Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV).” Qigong Institute. Qigonginstitute.org.
9. “What are the Benefits of Qigong?” Long White Cloud Qigong. Longwhitecloudqigong.com.
10. Jahnke, R., L. Larkey, et al. “A Comprehensive Review of the Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi.” American Journal of Health Promotion 24, no. 6 (2010):e1-e25.
