by Paul Fassa: The recognition of Chi energy’s role for good health and healing has emerged through acupuncture, Reiki, and Polarity Therapy…
But all of these therapies require a practitioner. There is a method to generate and orient Chi or prana (life force) by yourself on a daily basis. It’s known as Qigong (Chi-gong).
As the efforts to diminish access to supplements and herbs in Europe and within the States increase, you can still take charge of your health by practicing Qigong. With Qigong, you can influence the subtle life energies that affect your health.
Qigong History
The art of Qigong goes back 5000 years in China. The ancients were intuitively more aware of the subtle Chi energies and how they influence our bodies. Over the years, several forms of Qigong have emerged, all based on the same principles. Even Tai Chi, which the Chinese government considers a martial art, was developed from Qigong.
Qi (Chi) means life force, and gong means daily effort. But one form, Zhineng Qigong, was officially declared the best for healing by the 1997 Chinese book China’s Exercises for Health: Medical Qigong. It was also declared the best health enhancing form of Qigong by the Chinese Sports Bureau.
Zhineng Qigong was introduced to the public and clinically tested by Dr. Pang Ming, an MD who had studied under different Qigong masters from childhood until he was declared a Qigong Grandmaster. Prior to that, all forms of Qigong were very esoteric and limited. Dr. Pang Ming decided to form a large accessible center to cure and train people as well as prove Qigong’s medical efficacy.
During the period of over a decade from 1988, thousands were drawn to the the Zhingeng Qigong Healing and Training center without the benefit of public advertising. Orthodox medical doctors were present for emergencies and to diagnose patient/students before and after their stay. No medicines, herbs, or special diets were used. But the days were filled with lots of Qigong practice!
From a report by Qigong Master Luke Chan, “According to Summary of Zhineng Qigong’s Healing Effects on Chronic Diseases, published by the Center in 1991, data of 7,936 patients showed an overall effective healing rate of 94.96%. (15.20% cured; 37.68% very effective; 42.09% effective.)” (Emphasis added) Those results were verified by orthodox medical doctors.
Unfortunately, the Center was closed down for political reasons in 2001, mostly because of China’s over reaction to clashes with the banned Falun Gong group. It has become illegal for any type of Qigong group to assemble more than 100 students and teachers in one place.
Zhineng Qigong is still practiced with smaller groups in other locations in China, and Master Luke Chan brought over that practice with a different name to the USA (source below), while other teachers migrated to Malaysia and Europe introducing Zhineng Qigong under various names to millions.
The Practice
Phase One has three main movement sequences in this form of Qigong for improving health and healing. They are all done slowly and mindfully. To achieve “gong” (daily effort), one has to practice daily for 100 consecutive days. Miss one day and you start all over again!
While the obvious point is to get you into the discipline of daily practice necessary to achieve positive results, there seems to be another feature of this 100 day discipline. Most of us are out of touch with the Chi in and around our bodies. After several consecutive days of practice, Chi awareness arises while practicing. Follow up with the sources below if you’re curious.
