Qigong is a Chinese movement and breathing discipline that has been practiced for centuries. It has many different styles and is controversial in some areas, but is generally considered healthy and beneficial for the body and mind. It is often practiced as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is popular among the elderly and disabled.
Qigong is a Chinese movement and breathing discipline practiced all over the world by both Chinese and non-Chinese. There are many different styles of qigong, sometimes written as chi gung or chi kung, including the famous tai chi, all of which focus on slightly different end goals, ranging from fitness for martial arts to maintaining healthy bodies in the elderly. This movement discipline is controversial in some areas, with people debating its benefits and potential applications, although many people agree that regular practice is probably healthy.
The practice of qigong dates back to at least 500 AD, and is probably much older, judging by depictions of similar activities in Chinese art. It has long been practiced as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a holistic healing art that integrates different approaches to medical treatment. In China, qigong classes are offered in many hospitals for the benefit of patients, and regular practice sessions are held in many public squares. Outside of China, qigong classes can be found in a variety of locations, from schools to city parks.
There are two important aspects of qigong. One involves body movement, taking the body through a series of flowing poses. The other concerns the regulation of breathing. Together, breathing and movement are meant to focus and calm the body, generating a sense of well-being in the practitioner, while also improving strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Together, movement and breathing exercises are meant to cultivate internal energy, or qi.
The qigong controversy stems from the debate about its precise benefits. Most people in both the East and the West can agree that it is good for the body, especially the elderly, because it is a way to be active and it is very gentle, which makes it suitable for the elderly and disabled. Some people also say this practice has spiritual benefits, equating it to metaphysical concepts, while others say it simply encourages a calm state of being. Claims of practitioners’ ability to harness energy or the forces of nature are viewed with skepticism in many communities.
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