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Qi Gong……What is it? Qi (also spelt 'chi') is pronounced chee. It is the Chinese word for 'life energy'or 'basic vitality' and is fundamental to any understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine.. ……of which Qi Gong is an integral part. Gong (also spelt 'kung') refers to the persistent cultivation of something to a very high level of proficiency….and the inevitable benefits/rewards of this practice. So Qi Gong is the cultivation of the life-force energy to improve health and harmony of body, mind and spirit. The collective term, Qi Gong, encompasses a vast range of self-healing practices, grounded in the principles to TCM. All practices have in common the use of body (either moving or still), breath (may or may not be synchronised with movement) and focussed awareness. The "awareness" referred to here is not simply mental concentration but an increasing moment-to-moment attention to sensory and kinesthetic feedback.Tai Chi is one form of Qi Gong which is well known in the West, but especially since the early 1980's, hundreds of Qi Gong forms and Internal Martial Arts (eg. Ba Gua) have become accessible. Qi Gong ……Where does it come from? The origins of Qi Gong in China go back thousands of years and it has been known by many different names throughout history. The ancient Chinese were an agrarian people who learned the principles of Qi Gong naturally by observing the cycles of planting and harvesting, life and death. It seems the earliest qi gong-like exercises were the animal dances of the ancient Chinese shamans. Evidence of this can be seen on rock art throughout China (as of course, with Australian Aboriginal culture).During the Zhou dynasty (1028 - 221 B.C.), there was an annual ritual known as the 'Great Exorcism'. A shaman would wear a bear skin and head with four golden eyes (for the four directions). The shaman would then dance through the village followed by the villagers dressed as the Chinese zodiac animals .The purpose was to drive out demons and bad luck to ensure a good harvest and prosperity for the village. Other rock art depicts complex dance patterns and a combination of animal postures and military drills. There is much evidence of close links between animal movements, dance and the martial arts…all aspects present to some extent in modern Qi Gong. Daoism. China's original spiritual tradition is also fundamental to the development of Qi Gong. Daoists emphasized simplicity and harmony with nature. In order to keep mind and body healthy, Daoist sages developed many styles of Qi Gong. There are still mystical forms of Qi Gong (notably Wuji Qi Gong) which place emphasis on unity with nature and the universe. Qi Gong……How will it benefit me? Qi Gong, like all aspects of TCM, works wholistically. It is assumed that by working on the whole the "parts" take care of themselves. Active Qi Gong includes stretching, deep breathing, low-impact conditioning, coordination, balance practices and aerobic fitness. It increases range of motion, builds strength and increases stamina and coordination. Internally, Qi Gong movement massages the organs, enhances circulation and tones the nervous system. However, Qi Gong is much more than exercise or sports. Qi Gong's unique combination of movement, breath and meditation improves the functioning of the whole body/mind energy system and has both preventative and curative effects. Progress is gradual and cumulative. It involves the cleansing and clearing of blocked and stagnant energy as well as the tonification of depleted energy. There are Qi Gong practices suitable for everyone and even specific 'Medical' Qi Gong prescriptions for different dis-ease states. Qi Gong is particularly effective for: blood pressure joint and spinal health circulation digestion breathing insomnia/stress related conditions enhancing general immunity Qi Gong can be a lifetime journey into greater self-awareness and increasing connectedness with others and the moment-to-moment richness of life.