FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QIGONG

I've been practicing Qigong for a number or years. Last year I began practicing with people in parks and community centers. 

Next up? 

I'm practicing Medical Qigong with individuals and couples at  Sonlight Health and Wellness where I'm also giving massage. These practices are considered Complimentary Alternative Practices along with yoga therapy, massage, acupuncture... Even though Qigong has a long history, it's new for a lot of people. You have questions. 

Fine Print Stuff: These sessions are for education and personal development only. Brian is not a physician, and information provided is not meant to prevent, treat, or cure disease, nor to take the place of care by a licensed health care professional. Our goal is to support and supplement treatments provided by health care professionals. 

Let's get to the bottom of this Qigong business.

What is Qigong?

Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind-body movement practice that restores wellness, builds mental and emotional stamina, reduces stress, and increases vitality. 

• We stretch and strengthen muscles. 
• We use breath and movement to tonify internal organs.
• We create space in the joints. 
• We encourage movement of blood, lymphatic fluids, and Qi: the bioelectricty that circulates through your body.  
• It is one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The others are acupuncture, herbalism, diet, and massage. 

How do you say it? What's with the "Q"?

It is pronounced "Chee Gong." 

Written Chinese does not use an alphabet. The Chinese use characters or logograms. "Qigong" is a transliteration of two characters. Qi and Gong. 

Qi = bio-electricity. Gong = Cultivation. 

The transliteration of the Chinese word 氣功 varies. These Romanized transliteration of Chinese characters is called "pinyin." You may have seen:

• qigong
• qi gong 
• chi gong 
• chi gung
• chi kung 

There are many ways to pronounce the "CH" sound in Chinese. The letter "Q" was chosen maybe because the original Pinyin guys ran out of ways to represent the "CH" sound. 

Is Qigong the same as Tai Chi?

There is an overlap, but no. 

• Tai Chi, sometimes spelled Taiji is a form of martial arts. That being said, it's a slow, meditative practice. There are strikes and blocks and attempts to knock your opponent off balance. 

Hey wait, Qigong is also a slow, meditative practice. 

• It all comes down to intention. First off, we don't have opponents during our Qigong practices. Qi is being cultivated and moved through the body with a healing intention. Both Taiji and Qigong are based on movements inspired by nature. 

Many Qigong practitioners also practice Taiji. And vice-versa. 

What is a practice going to look like?

We will begin by addressing your needs. So, it's up to you. 

• Maybe you'd like to just calm down. 
• Maybe your shoulders and neck are giving you grief. 
• Maybe your digestion has been a little off. 
• Maybe you're prone to headaches.
• Maybe you have chronic sinus problems.  
• Maybe your immune system needs a little boost. 
• Maybe you want support while undergoing cancer treatments. (We may need to get approval from your oncologist.) 
• Maybe you'd like to learn some discreet Qigong forms that you can do while sitting at your desk at work.  
• Maybe it just feels good when someone asks "what do you need?"

While I LOVE practicing outside in parks, weather will necessitate practicing indoors. 

There is a lovely large room at Sonlight Wellness and a park just outside the back door of the building.

We can practice standing or sitting. 

• We begin a practice by warming up, maybe continuing to uncover what you need or want to learn.  
• We purge our bodies and minds of old stuff we don't need to carry around. Lofty ambition, I know. But, just setting that intention really helps. 
• We practice breathing. I know, why practice something we do automatically? That's the trick. We learn to guide our breath. 
• We practice slow gentle movements that address your needs. 
  
• Then, we close by grounding and talking about what you can do after our practice.

Are there different types of Qigong?

There are. I practice primarily Taoist and Medical Qigong. 

• Qigong is practiced and taught also in Buddhist temples. The Shaolin Buddhist Temple teaches a type of Qigong that appears to move towards the Martial end of the spectrum. 
• It is also common to see Medical Qigong practiced in hospitals in China.  
• There is also a Spiritual Qigong, which is even more meditative. And Alchemical Qigong... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. 

So wait, is this a religious thing?

No. 

• I practice Taoist Qigong. Taoism is a philosophy based on observations of nature. While there are those who acknowledge and pay reverence to Taoist deities, that's something different.
• I do refer to "heaven" during a practice. But I'm referring to the energy of the sun, the pull of moon, the inspiration of the stars, the movement of the clouds... But please feel free to also give "heaven" a religious significance. Up to you. 
• You'll hear me talk about Yin and Yang, often associated with Taoism. Again, I am making reference to nature, sunlight and shade, active and passive. 

So, what's Medical Qigong?

Medical Qigong is typically a one-on-one practice tailored to your needs. Qigong is a form of Complementary Alternative Practices (CAP) along with acupuncture, massage, and yoga therapy. 

I'm also happy to work with couples towards a common goal.  As stated above, these sessions aren't to take the place of care provided by licensed health care professionals. 

• During our practice we focus on meridians and acupressure points used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 
• We pay attention to the muscles and joints. 
• We use our breath to practice mindfulness and calm ourselves down. 
• We refer to anatomy, physiology, pathology and theory throughout the session. 

I've seen videos of elderly people practicing Qigong in parks. Do I have to be a certain age to practice?

Heck no. 

• Qigong practices support health, vitality and resilience – this is useful for everyone, young and old.
• Athletes find that practicing Qigong supports their physical performance, focus, and recovery. 
• Young people experiencing attention challenges learn to focus. 
• Office professionals learn how to take short breaks by focusing on breath, or simple stretches or movements even while at their desks. 

What do I wear to a practice?

Fear not, you don't need to go shopping for a pretty silk outfit. 

• We wear comfortable clothes that allow us to move freely. 
• You can wear shoes as long as your toes have room to breathe. You can also practice barefoot.   

Do I have to have any experience before our practice?

No! 

• I will lead you through movements (called "forms") and work with you to adjust to fit the form to your needs. 
• Most people feel benefits after their first session. But as with all studies, I can't "fix" you in an hour, it'll be up to you to practice. 
• I'll give you resources and practice recommendations after each session. 

How can I learn more before I dive in? 

I've written many articles in this very blog. There are also many resources on-line. I like this one:

The Healing Benefits of Qigong by Sifu Bodhi Batista

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss
Brian