Chi Gong Exercise

By George Mera

There's an old Chinese story about three doctors who were brothers, the youngest one was famous because of his skill to cure difficult cases, the middle brother had some reputation as an accurate doctor, the oldest brother was practically unknown.  Once the youngest brother was asked how he was the most famous doctor in the family, he responded that he can cure difficult diseases but his second brother can stop the disease before it becomes difficult, while his oldest brother was the best of them all, because he can heal before the sickness appears.

The Human body is always in pursuit of homeostasis, the body auto regulates and self-heals. Traditional Chinese medicine is always in pursuit of balance.  When the energy or chi is not flowing properly in the body sickness appears.

Chi means the vital energy and Gong exercise, so Chi gong is known as an internal exercise of the vital energy.

The Chi Gong is a natural therapy that has 3,000 years of history.  Everything started with the ancient Chinese emperors.  They were seduced by the Taoist texts (oldest tradition in China) to look for longevity or immortality, so they commanded Taoists to collect food, medicines or methods to obtain their purpose.

Around 300 B.C Chi Gong flourished and these exercises were called at that time the immortal's exercises. The exercises are so many that they are classified in schools emphasizing stillness or movement.

In individual practice your posture, mind, imagination, breathing and blood circulation are regulated with the purpose of improving your health and assist to heal or prevent illness.

Electricity existed since the beginning of time but only when it was properly channeled we could use it.  We all have chi that is the reason we are alive, but what kind of energy do we have? Chi gong will properly channel your energy through 12 principal channels that connect your organs with your hands and feet.

For beginners the attention is in the hands to prevent any blockage of energy, the thumbs run the energy of the lung meridian, your index is the beginning of the large intestine, the middle finger represents the pericardium meridian, the ring finger the triple warmer or heater which regulates the temperature in your body and glandular functions, and your pinkie represents 2 channels the heart and the small intestine.

Chinese medicine prescribes chi going as a method of healing along with acupuncture and herbs, they say chi going is acupuncture without needles.

There's always the right Chi gong exercise to suit your needs or limitations.  Some are more into breathing; others put emphasis in tendons and ligaments, in stillness and meditation or vigorous stretching.  Some are simple or have hundreds of movements.

Health and well-being can be achieved only by remaining centered in spirit, guarding the squandering of energy, promoting the constant flow of chi and blood, maintaining harmonious balance of yin and yang, adapting to the changing seasonal and yearly macrocosmic influences, and nourishing one's self preventively. This is the way to a long and happy life.