Chi Gung (pronounced chee-gong also spelt qi gong or chi kung or sometime referred to as neigong) literally translates as “energy work” and is a form of gentle exercise practiced to keep people healthy and reduce tension. Movements are repeated to softly stretch the body, increase fluid movement and build awareness.

When you practice and learn a qigong exercise there are both external movements and internal movements. It is these internal movements which make qigong a superior health and wellness practice and differentiate it from typical forms of exercise.

For most people, the most obvious benefit of qigong is an movement system that actively promotes relaxation, stress relief, improved balance and flexibility and the relief or prevention of chronic health problems.

Many physical problems are at least partially due to, or aggravated by, mental or emotional stress, so the importance of the calming effect developed through qigong practice cannot be overestimated. The practice of qigong helps manage the mental states that unsettle you when your energy is not regulated and balanced.

Qigong is also useful on the emotional and spiritual level. Feeling the energy of your body makes it possible for you to access the energy of your thoughts and emotions, and for those who also want to explore a path of meditation this can ultimately lead to comprehending the energy of the spirit. Qigong is practiced by people of all spiritual and religious persuasions.

Daoist Natural Breathing

As how you breathe has such a fundamental effect on your central nervous system and quality and stability of your mind, this practice is particularly important when learning how to clear stress and tension from your nervous system, enabling you to fully relax and stabilise your mind and energy.

It allows you to do this by enabling you specifically to discover natural, unforced breathing, which over time becomes very soft, smooth, long and deep. This natural pulsation connects to all the natural pulsations in the body, including the flow of fluids and chi and the natural pulsing in your internal organs, joints and spine, as occurs in babies.

Re-discovering this powerful, soothing rhythm deep inside you releases stress very powerfully, and provides an exceptional means to relax your mind and release over-charged emotions and thoughts, whatever you’re doing, even at work.

Whole Body Breathing serves as a stable platform for learning in the internal arts and also meditation.
 

This practice is particularly beneficial if:
 

• You are seated for long periods of time at work or at home

• You meditate, or are interested in meditation

• You suffer from mental, nervous, or emotional tension, or high stress

• You want to focus on relaxing, releasing and balancing your nervous system, thoughts and emotions

• You experience breathing difficulties, such as asthma and emphysema

• You want to develop your breath, for singing, acting, competitive sports, or any other reason

• You are completely uninterested in movement practices, but would like to avoid illness, pain and/or other unwelcome but often likely companions on the more sedentary journey