Qi Gong literally translates into  the way of Qi.  Qi Gong can be broken into 2 main categories: Qi Gong Exercises and Medical Qi Gong.  Below  I will give a basic description of both. Qi Gong exercises are various routines both standing and moving. The main purposes of these types of exercises are to cultivate and circulate Qi and to learn to regulate your breathing and balancing out your energy fields.  Benefits vary from stress reduction, to boosting your immune system.  We use Qi Gong exercises of  the 5-element Form, Tibetan burning palms, Penetrate the Wind, and Hugging the tree and I am always looking to add more. Medical Qi Gong is used by Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to aid in the curing of ailments ranging from headaches to certain forms of cancer.  Some studies show promise in helping numerous conditions.  How Medical Qi Gong works is by the Dr. manipulating a patients energy fields to stimulate or remove stagnant Qi which is what the TCM Dr.s say is the cause of illness.  There are several branches of Medical Qi Gong but one of the most common methods is the 5-element method.  This uses the Constructive and Destructive cycle of the elements: see the diagram below. Function of this form: Clear blockages of meridians (chi channels) Invigorate internal organs and constitution Harmonize with self and nature Relax Inhale fully while assuming the "lotus" position Exhale with a "vibrating" breath Inhale while moving to the "water" Posture, exhale with a vibrating breath Inhale while moving to the "earth" Posture, exhale with a vibrating breath Inhale while moving to the "wood" Posture, exhale with a vibrating breath Inhale while moving to the "metal" Posture, exhale with a vibrating breath Inhale while moving to the "fire" Posture, exhale with a vibrating breath Inhale through Lotus, vibrating breath Colon cleansing (10 repetitions) Inhale while lifting hands, exhale while slapping abdomen Inhale through Lotus, vibrating breath Chakra balance (10 repetitions) Inhale while raising heels, exhale while dropping heals Inhale through Lotus, vibrating breath Neck roll (1 repetition) Close eyes, inhale while rolling the neck clockwise, Exhale while rolling the neck counter-clockwise to center, open eyes Inhale through Lotus, vibrating breath Casting off (10 repetitions) Inhale while slowly lifting hands, exhale while shaking arms loosely to sides Inhale through Lotus, vibrating breath Bring palms to center and relax breathing Postures: Lotus:  The palms are facing up, held about shoulder height, arms out to the sides, elbows down and slightly bent. As if a human scale, feel the balance of your body and mind Water:  from the Lotus, raise the palm slightly overhead As if emerging from the ocean, feel water run down the arms Associated organs: Kidneys and Bladder Earth:  the palms face forward as the thumbs and pointer fingers meet above the forehead, forming a flame or diamond shape Associated organs: Spleen and Stomach Wood:  press the palms together, fingers pointing up, in front of the sternum Associated organs: Liver and Gallbladder Metal:  palms pressed together, pointing forward and extend slightly Associated organs: Lungs and Large Intestine Fire:  palm face down and in over abdomen (similar to Earth, but facing down) Associated organs: Heart and Small Intestine The postures themselves are effective.  To make the most of each position, use your mind and imagination to focus on the properties of each element.  To be fluid in our actions, like water.  Solid and centered, like the earth.  Continually growing and adapting, like the plants on our planet.  Willful and confident like skillfully forged metal.  Driven by the burning desire of the fire within.  With practice and concentration, your own insights and interpretations can be a most valuable healing force.  Listen to the body and listen to intuition.  Listen to what the mind, body, and spirit is saying to you when you practice Qi Gong. Breathing:  The vibrating breath that is used in this form is actually quite simple, it just takes a good deal of practice to get comfortable with.  During the inhale it is important to focus on gathering up as much chi as possible and holding it in the Dantian.  Let the Dantian expand in all directions while letting the air vibrate out, without effort.  It may take practice before being able to feel the more subtle vibrations.  At first, students usually start by assisting the feeling by physically shaking the abdomen with the hands while exhaling.  This later becomes unnecessary.  Visualization is an indispensable part of Qi Gong and should be used creatively, allowing the individual to find ways and methods to release that work for them.

QI GONG

Five Element QI GONG