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CHI KUNG (qi gong) pronounced: chee goung Chi Kung is Chinese for the "Art of Energy". The energy, or "chi", involved in Chi Kung is the animating force that causes us to live and keeps us alive. This energy is also utilized in Chinese traditional medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and the internal martial arts. Chi Kung is sometimes referred to as Chinese Yoga. Though outwardly it may sometimes appear a little different than Indian or Tibetan yoga styles, it nonetheless shares a great deal in common with them. Historically, there has been a great deal of cross-fertilization throughout Asia. Chinese yogis acknowledged contributions from India and Tibet, complementing them with their own indiginous Taoist philosophy, principles and practices; just as they did with Buddhism. Implicit in the word "yoga" is the concept of union. The union here is that of the mind with the body, and both with our deeper energetic nature. In Chi Kung, the mind and body are considered to be inseparable, and spirit is regarded as the conscious energy which permeates all life. Properly performed, regular ongoing Chi Kung practice has a profound affect on a person's physical fitness, mental health, ability to relax, resilience to disease, sense of well-being, relationships and creativity. Outwardly, Chi Kung appears to be a system of calisthenics, stretching exercises, held postures or dance-like movements. Less apparent are the "internal" aspects: mental exercises that improve our ability to feel, and to concentrate– to marshal our time, effort and energy in a healthy, effective, well-balanced way. As such, Chi Kung has often played a fundamental role in kung fu (self-refinement training) and "internal" or "soft" wushu (martial arts) styles like Taijichuan and Baguazhang. Our bodies constantly signal us, but all too often we ignore these messages, or they are drowned out by excessive mental activity. Among the more obvious signals are pain, tension, gastric distress, chronic stiffness, insomnia and lethargy. Our mental and physical attitudes profoundly influence our vitality in ways that often go unnoticed. Chi Kung teaches us how to actively recognize and modify these attitudes so we can enhance our lives. When practiced diligently it provides truly transformative results. Chi Kung is not a magic pill. It requires time, patience and diligent practice. Those who have the will to stick with it for a few months usual experience convincing results. Where the Art of Energy is concerned an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.
For more information: "Mind, Body & Conscious Movement" The Golden Flower treatise on Taoist yoga & meditation. Zhan Zhuang: Standing Chi Kung Perfect Knot yoga, Madison, Wisconsin Energy, Coherency and Intelligence: A Native American perspective
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