QIGONG
Qigong can be defined as the skill of training the chi and the mind. In China, chi is often refered to as the chi or air that we breath in. In Chinese medicine and health practice terms, it is refered to as the energy force upon which all the bodily functions are maintained. 'Gong', literally refers to the skill, so in the case of Qigong, it can be translated as the skill of regulating the breath, posture and movements by focussing the mind.
During Qigong practice, one uses the mind to control the nourishing of the chi and focuses it's direction along the routes of the meridians. (A network of pathways within the body through which Chi is said to flow). It can promote and strengthen the flow and transformation of chi within the relevant internal organs, thereby allowing the practitioner to regulate their own chi flow to aid recovery from illness by bringing about the balance required for optimum health.
There are countless methods of Qigong practised widely for many different purposes, each with their own characteristics. These range from Medical; Daoist; Buddhist; Confucianist and Martial Arts qigong to mention a few. The four mainstreams of classification however can be categorised into four groups as:-
- For strengthening the health and preventing disease
- For the treatment of disease
- For martial arts
- For the development of the intellect and spiritual potential
Qigong at the Academy of Eastern Arts includes practices for Strengthening, relaxation, stress relief, medical and martial arts as well as for intellectual and spiritual potential.
The following forms of Qigong are just some of the one's practised at the Academy:
- Baduan Jiin
- Da mo Yi Jiin Jin
- Zhen Yuan Qiang gong
- Wuxing Gong
- Da Bei Gong
- Ying Leung Men
- Ti Bu Shun
- Daoist Dragon & Tiger