Qigong, what is it and how on earth do you say it?

WHAT IS QIGONG?

What is Qigong? What does it mean?
Qi = Life force. It is pronounced "Chee." Gong = Cultivation. Say "Gong" the “”o” is like aw as in paw. 

The ideogram for Qi is made up of steam over rice, implying that Qi is nourishing and ethereal. The rice cooking symbolizes the release and utilization of energy. In the Chinese language, Qi is part of everything. It can be used to describe a person's complexion, the weather and one's emotional state.

Qigong is a practice which hooks us up with nature and with our own personal connection to the world.

There are many styles of Qigong. I practice primarily Taoist Qigong and Medical Qigong. I also love Animal Qigong which has routes in ancient Chinese shamanic traditions. Cool stuff.

While the Taoists and Buddhists were creating Qigong practices centuries ago, Qigong is not a religion or specific to any religion.

Sweet, now what is it?

Qigong is a slow, meditative movement practice. Qigong employs breath work, visualization, meditation and movement. Each practice draws on influences from nature: the elements, animals, the seasons.

Qigong is one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the others being acupuncture, nutrition, herbology, and massage.

Five elements are key to TCM: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.

Five... wait, five? Yes, five seasons are also important in TCM : Spring, summer, late summer which I refer to as "harvest," fall and winter.

There are many animal practices with Shamanic routes: the deer, bear, monkey, crane and tiger. But many other images of mythical animals were conjured as far back as the Paleolithic period: the dragon, a vermillion bird, the white tiger, the black turtle and the yellow snake.

Practicing Qigong with me will introduce you to mythical creatures, connect you with nature and the seasons. And, it will connect you with your body. Again, I practice Medical Qigong. Possible physical shifts may include: decreased muscle pain, breaking up of fascial adhesions, headache relief, sinus pain relief, lower blood pressure, decreased joint pain, more energy, better sleep, balanced moods and on and on and on...