Qigong: Treatment, Effect & Risks

The roots of qigong lie in Asia. The movements, which appear light and graceful, are intended to bring the body and soul into harmony. Qigong is also practiced by more and more people in the Western industrialized countries, in order to use the potential of this art of movement for mental and physical health maintenance.

What is Qigong?

The movements in Qigong, which appear light and graceful, are intended to bring the body and soul into harmony. We are most aware of the images from China showing people of all ages meeting in a park to practice Qigong together. Today this also exists in Europe and America, where people activate the Qi in their bodies with flowing movements. This is at least the view of the followers of Qigong. In Asia, Qi is the energy that makes life possible. Qi is also translated as “breath of life”. The term “gong” means to practice and to do a work. By work is meant that man should strive to perfect himself in his life. Through Qigong the Qi, the energy of life, is set in motion and thus one’s own mental and health development is triggered. The art of movement Qigong is a mixture of elements from martial arts and meditative movements. Qigong as a meditative exercise is very visible in the movement sequences, which are slowed down as if executed in slow motion. To perfectly master this art of movement requires regular practice and excellent body control.

Function, effect and goals

The movement sequences of Qigong have been practiced by people for several thousand years through constant repetition. However, the word creation “Qigong” comes from more recent times. In Taoism and Buddhism, martial arts and meditation are part of monastic traditions. Precursors of Qigong developed from the paths to perfection in both disciplines. Even older is the medical application for making people healthy and keeping them healthy. Shamans taught healing movements to sick and healthy people. Today Qigong is assigned to the broad spectrum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Qigong involves not only movement in stillness. The technique also includes breathing exercises and the use of the voice. The movements are performed while standing, sitting or lying down. The inner concentration on the execution of the slow movements and the use of a very conscious breathing technique calms the soul and the mind. Qigong is often used in Western countries to achieve deep relaxation. The nervous system calms down, feelings of stress are reduced. Qigong should be practiced outdoors. Only there the person is directly connected with nature and can absorb more oxygen. The effects on the organism are measurable. If you practice Qigong regularly, your blood pressure can normalize, your muscles are strengthened and your sense of balance is trained. Deep breathing improves the supply of oxygen to the body’s cells and thus the fulfillment of their function. This has positive effects on the vital internal organs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these health effects would be attributed to the release of blockages in the flow of Qi. In Qigong, there are set sequences of exercises that have figurative names: “The Game of Five Animals,” “Fending Off the Monkeys,” and “The Flying One” are just a few of them. There is always a little story connected with them. Qigong consists of a constant alternation between tension and relaxation. It is important to practice the movement sequences so frequently and precisely that they become second nature. Only when the Qigong practitioner no longer has to think about which movement is next, he is able to integrate the concentration exercises that belong parallel to the art of movement into the sequence. Exercises like the “Breath Flower” are simple yet effective. It consists of eight movements that flow into each other. This qigong exercise recreates the becoming, life and passing of a flower. The dynamics of this one exercise alone can deepen and calm breathing. It also helps to stretch muscles and tendons.

Risks and dangers

There are no risks associated with qigong, instead, in healthy people it has the effect of strengthening the immune system.Chronically ill people report again and again that their quality of life increases through practicing Qigong. Even in people with mental illnesses such as depression, the mental upsets can improve through the exercises of Qigong. The element of visualization of positive images as part of Qigong also plays an important role. Here, one consciously influences one’s own mental attitude and self-perception. This has strong effects on the body and on physical and mental health. Qigong cannot completely replace necessary therapeutic measures. But the physical and mental exercises are a very good way to activate the self-healing powers. Therefore, a number of public health insurances subsidize Qigong courses for their members. In addition to illnesses of the soul such as depressive phases and anxiety, the practice of Qigong is useful for a whole range of chronic diseases. Some examples are heart and circulatory problems, cervical and spinal complaints, multiple sclerosis or metabolic diseases. Cancer patients also repeatedly report an improvement in their life situation as a result of the regular exercises.