The Next Fitness Craze: Qi Gong |
Posted: February 26, 2018 |
In the fitness world, people are always looking for faster or more interesting ways to stay fit. For those of us who are working to get into shape or stay in good shape, it can be exciting to find out there is a different and possibly better way to achieve our goals. There are so many ways to exercise, reduce stress, and improve our health and yet we often default to what is most popular or what we’ve tried before. Unfortunately, that can leave us frustrated as we struggle with injuries or boredom. If weight loss is a goal, it can be even more difficult to lose weigh without risking our health or metabolism. Many exercise options work well for a while but either stop giving us the results we want in terms of fitness or begin to create joint or muscle problems. This is particularly common as we age or as years of high-impact activities begin to catch up with us. That’s why some people think that Qi Gong could soon become the next great thing. What Is Qi Gong? You’re probably wondering how something most of us have never heard of could become a solution to health problems. In spite of what you might expect, Qi Gong isn’t some new fad. Instead, it is an ancient system that originated in China. It has been used to improve health and physical fitness for thousands of years. In many Chinese systems of philosophy including Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist, the practice of Qi Gong helps to develop human potential. It focuses on each person mastering their own internal energy. In fact, the name Qi Gong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is interpreted as the mastery (“Gong”) of vital energy (“Qi”). Part of the reason Qi Gong has had trouble becoming popular in the West is the variety of translation of the Chinese characters that spell out Qi Gong. That’s why it may be spelled in a number of different ways including chi kung, chi gong, or qigong. There are a number of different forms of Qi Gong but it typically includes coordinated slow-flowing movements, deep rhythmic breathing, and meditation that is done while moving. It is said to create a calm, meditative state of mind. Because of it’s slow series of movements, it is often mistaken for Tai Chi. Although there are similarities in the two martial arts systems, practitioners are aware of the differences between the two systems. The amount of difference varies depending on the styles of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Why Qi Gong? Many practitioners of Qi Gong claim that this martial arts system provides many health benefits. Meditation has been shown to lower blood pressure but the Qi Gong combines that with physical movement to provide even benefits. The slow movements require and develop muscle control while stimulating circulation. This type of movement also has the added advantage of being low impact. That makes Qi Gong great even for people with arthritis and it can work for people with many types of injuries, too. In some cities, there are a variety of Qi Gong classes available. A specialized group may offer Qi Gong for cancer patients or other people with specific health issues. Other groups may include more or less rigorous movements, depending on the type of Qi Gong. Proponents of alternative medicine may use Qi Gong as part of their health regime to treat current ailments or prevent future ones. If Qi Gong right for you? Your best option is to check with your doctor before beginning any type of exercise. Then try different schools of Qi Gong to find out if it gives you the health benefits you’ve been looking for. Remember to allow time to become used to this new workout program before you decide whether or not you are seeing the desired benefits.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|