Hello and welcome.
Thank you for your interest in Blossoms in the Spring and Qi Gong.
Qi Gong, Qigong, Chi Kung, Chi Gung are all the same thing. What is that thing? If you watched someone doing it you might see slow repetitive movements while the person sat or stood. Or you might see someone being very still in a particular position for an extended length of time. You might feel puzzled as to the purpose of this activity. Qi Gong is part of the Taoist tradition of self-cultivation with a long history in China dating back 4,000 years. The Chinese government has counted over 5,000 types of Qi Gong. Translated from the Chinese Qi Gong takes on variable meanings. Qi can be “life energy” Gong can be “work”. The word work also translates as cultivation with extended definitions of practice, skill, mastery, merit, achievement, service, result, or accomplishment. Conceptually Qi Gong means cultivating the inherent functional essence of the human being.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has more to say about Qi. Qi does what needs to be done. Qi is essential for the various dynamic phenomena of the body. Growth and development, metabolism, organ and tissue function. Qi moves what needs to move and contains that which needs to be contained. Each organ has its own Qi. The Qi of each organ traverses the body in defined channels. Just to be intriguing some channels don’t have particular organs. Qi is not just in the body. Every season, every month, every day, every hour has its own particular Qi: A recognizable essential and unique energy. Qi is a broad concept within which are many defining correspondences.
Qi Gong and its close cousin in the meditative moment family, Tai Chi, are used as adjunct therapies and health maintenance in many hospitals in China. Qi Gong has been recognized as a "standard medical technique" in China since 1989 (1). Medical Qi Gong is usually aimed at addressing specific conditions. Blossoms In The Spring is a Daoist Qi Gong. Taoist Qi Gong practices are generally focused on a closer connection to nature, longevity, and spiritual enlightenment. All of which sounds pretty freaking awesome if a bit nebulous.
Let’s add data to our Qi Gong picture by looking at some of the research. In 2011 The American Journal of Health Promotions published A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. (3) For the purposes of the review Tai Chi and Qi Gong were considered equivalent since there is a demonstrated similarity in form and uses, outcomes. There was a total of 6410 participants in the 77 studies which originated in 13 different countries. All the studies were published in peer-reviewed journals from 1993–2007.
Here are some Qi Gong highlights and surprises.
Bone Density
The medical standard exercise to increase bone formation in postmenopausal women is resistance training or other weight-bearing exercises. Although neither Tai Chi nor Qi Gong falls in these categories both retarded bone loss and decreased fractures when compared to post-menopausal women in “usual care”. Another study found that men did not have a similar outcome in terms of bone loss. A Qi Gong only study found bone mineral density in women increased as compared with the no exercise control group.
Heart Health
These studies showed a consistent and significant reduction in blood pressure as compared to control groups. Tai Chi outperformed aerobic exercise for blood pressure reduction. Qi Gong and Tai Chi produce the same effects for blood pressure control. Heart Health factors that showed improved numbers were heart rate variability, left ventricular function, lipid profiles, and stamina. Although we do not precisely know the mechanisms by which Qi Gong and Tai Chi affect the body, the Heart Health studies show that they are effective compared to inactivity and are approximately the same or better than the expected benefits of exercise.
Psychological
In terms of anxiety and depression, Qi Gong and Tai Chi are more helpful than doing nothing. In a study examining blood markers related to stress response, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol blood levels were significantly decreased in response to Qigong compared to a wait-list control group.
Immunity and Inflammation
Lots of biomarker studies in this category. Here are a few for your consideration. Antibody levels in response to flu vaccinations were significantly increased among a Qigong group compared to usual care. Supercharge your vaccine with Qi Gong! Qigong improves immune function and reduces inflammation as indicated by cytokine and T-lymphocyte proportions. These immune and inflammation related factors consistently respond to both Tai Chi and Qi Gong. How long will it take for Qi Gong to kick in? After just one month of Qi Gong biomarkers showed improvements in immune-related blood markers.
Need some more science on Qi Gong?
Read another article HERE https://qiyas.me/the-science-of-qigong/
If you are not monitoring biomarkers there are noticeable benefits to a regular Qi Gong practice. Empirical and experiential knowledge strongly suggests you will experience the benefits of better Qi circulation and increased Qi. these include improved digestion, sleep, energy, and regular bowel movements. There can be a decrease in pain syndromes. You may feel calmer and be able to return to emotional balance easily. What results and when they are achieved depends on a variety of factors. For example; Whether issues are chronic or acute; Regularity of practice; Positive (or negative) lifestyle influences. If Qi Gong were an herb it would be categorized as an adaptogen. The dictionary definition is exactly this: a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. Looking at the research results overall supports that idea. Qi Gong, meditative movement, helps the body function better.
References
(1) Douglas Wengell; Nathen Gabriel), Educational Opportunities in Integrative Medicine, pg.34 The Hunter Press, 2009.
(2) Ted Mancuso, Narrye Caldwell, L.Ac, Blossoms In The Spring, Plum Publishing, 2008
(3) Roger Jahnke, OMD, Linda Larkey, Ph.D., Carol Rogers, Jennifer Etnier Ph.D., Fang Lin, A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi, American Journal Of Health Promotions, July 1, 2011
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3085832/