Chi kung

Chi kung
The ability to take in and store vital energy comes under the general heading of
chi kung. There are hundreds of methods of chi kung, including Buddhist, Taoist
and Confuscian sources in China. India and Tibet both had strong influences on
chi kung in China. A great interchange took place between these countries, not
only in trade, but also in culture and religious practice. Many Buddhist monks
carried the teachings to China, and with them secrets of health and longevity.
Since that time the Chinese have adapted and changed all that they have
learnt, and produced the multi-faceted chi kung of today.
The main reasons for people performing chi kung can roughly be divided into
three areas.
1 Health promotion/stress-free mind.
2 Longevity: chi kung advocates believe that correct and regular practice will
ultimately lead to a healthy and extended life span.
3 Martial arts: the ability to generate tremendous power from chi kung training.
In chi kung, there are three requirements.
1 Mind: the mind must be calm and alert, with total concentration on the
exercise.
2 Posture: throughout all of the different methods, posture must be correct.
3 Breathing: breathing is an integral part of chi kung. Some types emphasise the
breathing in its length and duration; others do not. But even when it is not
emphasised consciously, the breathing pattern is still changed markedly.
Where to practise
The best place to practise tai chi, chi kung and meditation is in the open air,
surrounded by nature. Exercise near trees and where the air is pure and
unpolluted. A quiet setting will be most conducive to practice. Training in the
arts first thing in the morning will give you a wonderful start to the day. In the
Far East, the parks are full just after dawn with people of all ages engaged in
their various exercises.
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CHI KUNG
If you are unable to practise outdoors, a well ventilated but warm room will
serve well for your training area. At every opportunity make the most of any
outdoor exercise.
The chi kung routine outlined below is called the 'Eight breathing chi kung'. It is
a very popular method practised by both martial artists and health conscious
individuals alike. It has proven over the centuries to be a most beneficial exercise
regime for young and old. Its movements are straightforward and concise,
dismissive of all flamboyant and superfluous motions. This makes an ideal
exercise to be learned from a book. However, when the opportunity presents
itself, take lessons from a competent teacher.
Eight breathing chi kung
Take each individual exercise and spend at least one week or more on each one.
Start with four or five repetitions per exercise and work up to a maximum of ten.
If at any one time during the chi kung you feel light-headed or queasy, stop
immediately and rest. Only start again the following day, reducing the number of
repetitions per exercise. Over the weeks, gradually build up to the maximum ten
repetitions of each of the eight exercises. If you have to start on less than four or
five reps, that is perfectly alright. Progress at your own speed: the destination is
more important than the speed you get there. If you have any doubts about your
health and ability to perform this chi kung, please consult your health advisor
before commencing.
Use crane breathing throughout. Breathe naturally. Do not try to control the
breathing in any way. Perform the exercise slowly and evenly.
Important
During each repetition on the in breath, send it down to the tan tien. On the out
breath, imagine you are pushing against a heavy object of some sort without
tensing any of your muscles. This will feel odd to begin with, but will soon be
mastered. The reason this is done is to 'trick' the chi into flowing to the area.
Visualising the body ready for hard work causes the energy to surge to the point
of potential pressure. When it reaches the area and there is no physical activity, it
will circulate to the skin of the fingers and palms. From the fingers it will move
back into the body, having completed its circuit. The continual surging of the
energy will cause the chi flow not only to grow stronger, but to circulate
throughout the whole body. The extra vital energy circulation will encourage
the repair of cells and the removal of waste, revitalising the system in general and
strengthening the flow to the extremities. If you are a martial artist, this increase
in chi to the legs and hands will increase power in your strikes.