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Introduction to Clinical Therapeutic
Qigong
1. Introduction
to Qigong
2. Branches
of Qigong
|
Static Qigong Also known as Quiescent Exercise or Jing Gong, Static Qigong includes all Qigong exercises that forbid any motion of the trunk and limbs. The Relaxing Exercise, Foster the Internal, and Standing Exercise are all variations of this style. Among these exercises, some emphasize mind focusing, others stress the posture or breathing. It can be divided into the prone, sitting, and standing positions. Relaxation Qigong Relaxation Qigong aims at regulating the whole body into a relaxed, comfortable and natural state through a step-by-step and rhythmical relaxation of all parts of the body co-ordinated by silently reading the "song (relax)" character formula. This manoeuvre has the functions of activating qi and blood, co-ordinating the internal organs, dredging the channels and collaterals, strengthening health, preventing and curing diseases. Inner-Nourishing Qigong Inner-Nourishing Qigong is a manoeuvre featured by the co-ordination of silent reading of words or phrases with respiration exercise. It has good regulating effects on the functional activities of the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems. Roborant Qigong Roborant Qigong is a manoeuvre to train by regulating respiration and concentrating the mind on Dantian (Elixir Field). It can strengthen and invigorate internal qi (neiqi) and achieve the goals of keeping good health, preventing and curing diseases. Six-Character Formula Six-Character Formula is a manoeuvre to co-ordinate with silently reading six words co-operated by the limbs and body to conduct qi during the process of respiration exercise. This manoeuvre can also be used as a static qigong manoeuvre aimed mainly at exhalation exercise solely. The six words are: xu, ke, hu si, chui and xi. Relaxing Quiescent Qigong Relaxing Quiescent Qigong Exercise is an elementary part of Qigong. It should be practised in a relaxed and quiescent state, which aid in recovery of mental and physical strength. Therefore, it is considered a rudimentary course for all types of Qigong exercise. It is prescribed for hypertension, neurasthenia, gastric and duodenal ulcers, habitual constipation, gastrointestinal neurosis, vegetative neurosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic syndrome and chronic pelvic inflammation. It also provides painless labor and is often used to relieve mental and physical fatigue and as a sleep induction method. Breathing Exercise Qigong This includes some special methods of abdominal respiration, such as direct respiration, retrograde respiration and stop-go respiration which can also be carried out in combination with focused mind activity. It markedly aids the functions of the respiratory and digestive systems and benefits the functions of other systems, especially in treating gastric and duodenal ulcers, dyspepsia, neurasthenia, pulmonary tuberculosis and gastroptosis, etc. It can also be used to build the constitution. Standing Qigong Standing Qigong Exercise is practised in a variety of standing postures, which can be selected according to the individual's health. Generally, they are suitable for those in good health, or patients in the recovery stage. The exercise restores health and helps build the constitution. However, in order to avoid fatigue, the exercise should not last too long, especially for beginners. It is also contraindicated for those who are in very poor health or suffer from severe diseases. The advantage of Standing Qigong Exercise is that it can be done without any special facilities indoors or outdoors, and can be practised for a longer or shorter period of time at the practitioner's convenience. It is recommended for the treatment of hypertension, neurasthenia, chronic bronchitis and menopausal syndrome. Dynamic Qigong Also known as Dong Gong, Dynamic exercises includes all Qigong exercises which require motions of the trunk and limbs. Examples are the Health Preserving, Shadow Boxing, Frolics of Five Animals and Mt. Ermei Standing. Most dynamic exercises feature standing and walking postures. But sometimes, as in the Eight Elegant Movements, it can be done in the sitting posture. For clinical purposes, it can be done prone. Fifteen sets of Taiji-Qigong Exercise Please see Taiji Baduanjing
(Eight Elegant Movements) of Internal Exercise Yijinjing Yinjinjing (Changing Tendons Qingqong) is a form of fitness exercise handed down from ancient China. According to folklore, this manoeuvre aims at strengthening the muscles and tendons. In Chinese, "yi" means change, "jin" means tendons and sinews, while "jing" means method. By "yijinjing" it means the exercise of this manoeuvre can turn flaccid and frail tendons and sinews into strong and sturdy ones. Yijinjing (Changing Tendons Qigong) pays great attention to the co-ordinated exercise of the movements, respiration and determination so as to guarantee that qi circulates and flows appropriately without such abnormal phenomena as tardiness, haste, obstruction and stagnancy. It is an advanced manoeuvre to protect and strengthen health as well as one of the elementary manoeuvres to effect the emission of external qi (waiqi). Hua Tuo's Frolics of Five Animals Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 25-200), the renowned medical scientist Hua Tuo created a set of exercises called "Wuqinxi"-five sets of exercises mimicking movement of tiger, deer, bear, monkey and birds. Feature of the Frolics of Five animals include the combination of internal and external movements, and dynamic and quiescent states, mutual assistance between softness and toughness, integration of mental and physical activity, and the unity of mind, posture, Qi and force. Every movement of these exercises is rather simple and easy to learn, though combining the internal with the external and the dynamic with the quiescent may need long-time practice. Taiji
Tai Chi originated from ancient China. Nowadays, it is practised
as an exercise for health. It... Tai Chi is an unusual form of martial arts whereby we believe in building strength - mental and physical from within, softness is stronger than hardness, moving in a curve is better than a straight line, yielding is more efficient than confronting. It is especially different from western types of sports such as rugby where the harder and quicker the better. Tai Chi is a sport that strengthens the body as well as the mind from within. Dynamic Qigong that focuses on a specific part of a body Regulating-heart Qigong Regulating heart Qigong has the functions of tonifying the heart, tranquilizing the mind, promoting blood circulation and removing obstruction in the channels. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmia, rheumatic heart disease, cardiac neurosis as well as palpitation, severe palpitation, precordial pain and insomnia. Regulating-spleen Qigong Regulating-Spleen Qigong has the functions of regulating the qi and blood of the Spleen Channel, strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, regulating the stomach and promoting digestion. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, colitis and gastrointestinal neurosis as well as abdominal distention, diarrhea and constipation. Regulating-liver Qigong Regulating-Liver Qigong has the functions of regulating the qi and blood of the Liver Channel, soothing the liver and regulating the circulation of qi, calming the liver and suppressing yang hyperactivity of the liver and subduing the exuberant yang of the liver. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as hypertension, psychoneurosis, chronic hepatitis and hepatosplenomegaly as well as bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dizziness, veritgo and fullness in the chest and hypochondrium. Regulating-lung Qigong Regulating-Lung Qigong has the functions of regulating the qi of the Lung Channel, tonifying the lung and replenishing qi, ventilating the lung and relieving asthma, relieving cough and reducing sputum. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and bronchial asthma as well as abdominal distress, abdominal pain, dyspnea and abundant expectoration. Regulating-kidney Qigong Regulating-Liver Qigong has the functions of promoting the flow of the qi and blood of the Kidney Channel, nourishing the kidney and strengthening yang as well as increasing the primordial qi. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as nephritis and psychoneurosis as well as lumbago, rachialgia, tinnitus, deafness, frequent micturition and aversion to cold. Soothing-liver and Improving-eyesight Qigong Soothing-Liver and Improving-Eyesight Qigong is a principal manoeuvre to prevent and treat juvenile myopia. It has the functions of dispersing the stagnant liver-qi, nourishing the liver and improving visual acuity, relaxing and relieving stiffness of neck and the spasm of musculi dorsi and musculi oculi, helping recover from fatigue and regulating visual acuity. This manoeuvre has good therapeutic effects on the pseudo-myopia of primary and middle school children. Neck and Nape Qigong Neck and Nape Qigong has the functions of relaxing muscles and tendons, activating the channels and collaterals and lubricating joints. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as cervical spondylopathy, stiff neck, cervico-muscular fibrositis and shoulder and arm pains. Ear Qigong Ear Qigong has the functions of dredging the channels and opening the orifices. It can be used as a manoeuvre to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as tinnitus and deafness. Shoulder and Arm Qigong Shoulder and Arm Qigong has the functions of promoting the circulation of the qi and blood of the Three Yang Channels and Three Yin Channels of the Hand, relieving swelling, alleviating pain nad lubricating joints. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as scapulohumeral periarthritis, sprains and contusions as well as arm pains, numbness and weakness of the upper extremities. Head and Face Qigong Head and Face Qigong has the function of regulating the facial channels and collaterals, promoting the ciruclation and flow of qi and blood as well as beautifying the body, strengthening and protecting health. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as headache, dizziness, common cold and hypertension. Eye Qigong Eye qigong has the functions of regulating the qi and blood of the Liver Channel, soothing the liver and improving eyesight. It can be used as a manoeuvre to protect the eyes, prehyperopia and as tigmia as well as conjuctival congestion and swallen painful eyes. Nose and Teeth Qigong Nose and Teeth Qigong has the functions of ventilating the nose, consolidating the teeth and preventing caries. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as common cold, rhinorrhea with turbid discharge, allergic rhinitis, dental caries and toothache. Sternocostal Qigong Sternocostal Qigong has the functions of relieving the chest stuffiness, regulating the flow of qi, relieving cough and reducing sputum. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as chest distress, chest pain, difficult breathing, abundant expectoration and dyspnea. Abdomen Qigong Abdomen Qigong has the functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and regulating the function of the middle-jiao, tonifying the kidney and strengthening qi. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and colitis. Waist Qigong Waist Qigong has the functions of strengthening the bones and muscles, reinforcing the waist, tonifying the kidney and dredging the channels and collaterals. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as lumber muscle fibrositis, prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc as well as lumbago, soreness of waist and lassitude in legs. Lower limbs Qigong Lower Limbs Qigong has the functions of strengthening the waist and legs, dredging the Three Yin Channels and Three Yang Channels of the Foot, relaxing muscles and tendons and activating the channels and collaterals. It can be used to prevent and treat such diseases and syndromes as sciatica, arthritis, lumbago, gonalgia and numbness of lower extremities. Recuperating-life Qigong Recuperating-Life Qigong has the functions of dredging the channels and collaterals, reinforcing the kidney, strengthening yang and prolonging life. It can be used to prevent and treat diseases and syndromes such as impotence, premature ejaculation and menopausal syndrome. Iron Crotch Qigong Iron Crotch Qigong is an important manoeuvre used in ancient China to train the lower parts of the body. It has the functions of nourishing the kidney and strengthening yang, supplementing qi and enriching the essence as well as strengthening health. In modern times the manoeuvre is applied to the health protection of the middle-aged and aged people as well as the prevention and treatment of diseases and syndromes such as impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission and male infertility, and has proved to have marked effects. |
