Qigong FAQ

From MindgazerWiki

Contents 1 What is Qigong? 2 What are the Benefits of Qigong? 3 How is Qigong different from "working out"? Why the mind is important? 4 Can I learn Qigong from a Book? 5 Do I Need a Teacher? 6 Where can I find a teacher? 7 So, what is Qi/Ki/Prana? 8 What are the stages of training? 9 What if you hurt myself with Qi Gong

What is Qigong?

See Qigong Overview and History

What are the Benefits of Qigong?

There is one main benefit: Freedom. Freedom of movement, freedom from disease and freedom of the mind. Qigong tunes the body and the mind like an instrument, cleaning up the trash and putting things in their rightful places. It has profound psychological, physical and intellectual influence if practiced on regular basis. Since ordinarily the "tuned" feeling is a random and rare event, it is difficult to describe the effects of consistent practice. As a minimum it is something like a smile that rises from the inside to the outside. Artistic, physical and intellectual "genius" abilities that we attribute to the random grace of nature are actually within the reach of qigong.

How is Qigong different from "working out"? Why the mind is important?

The mind has more influence on health and well being then it is generally credited with. That is why conventional exercise is no match for Qigong. Conventional exercise works the outside hoping for the inside to catch up. In western society being fit does not imply internal organ or psychological health. Qigong is a mindful exercise, designed to build the outside by working on the inside. For instance one may target excess fat by burning calories or by fixing the internal chemical imbalance. The second way is the Qigong way. Is it possible? Think how much damage your mind can inflict internally by going into a stress or depression mode. Can you feel the power that the mind has on the body when you watch an exciting movie? Qigong develops the ability to put this power to work by asking for more hormones, less toxins and better circulation the natural way. Additionally, many Qigong exercises are designed to strengthen the internal organs through direct and indirect massage.

Despite all the scientific progress, conventional exercise methods are still mostly derived from trial and error experimentation. There are plenty of examples of failed methods such as a guru runner dying from a heart attack. Qigong is also empirically derived but it has thousands of years of experimentation data to rely on, where conventional exercise is at most a century old.

Also see What is mind training?

Can I learn Qigong from a Book?

If one wants to learn Qigong, one needs a teacher. To find a teacher, one needs to to be able to recognize a teacher. To be able to recognize a teacher, one needs to learn about Qigong; and to learn about Qigong, some reading is required. See the Book Reviews page.

Do I Need a Teacher?

First and foremost one must build a solid foundation for further practice. A Qigong teacher has to address problem areas which are unique to each student before such a foundation can be built. Just like a doctor, he will have to work on one's individual problem areas to assure a speedy and safe progress. To complicate matters, in most cases, the identification of problem areas can only be done by an experienced teacher. Once a foundation is built the progress must be monitored since then any deviation can acquire much strength and inflict real damage. This makes learning from a book or mass cultivation (like religions, cults or large Qigong organizations such as Falun Gong, Yan Xin Qigong, Quan Yin and others) problematic. At best it is usually less efficient than one-on-one practice, provided that one can find a good teacher. The doctor analogy applies. Of course, there are exceptions, so results may vary, some restrictions apply, void where prohibited, etc, etc. You get the point. However, books and mass cultivation can provide a good introduction and some base for further, more advanced practice.

Where can I find a teacher?

Try the Teacher Directory. Also see Can I Learn Qigong from a Book? and Do I need a Teacher?

So, what is Qi/Ki/Prana?

This is a very tired question. There are many versions of answers. The ancient Chinese character for Qi is composed of two parts: "no" + "fire". While some say that it is something esoteric, the base of all existence which is cultivated when desires, thoughts and emotions are not present (all three are denoted by fire), others insist that it is nothing other then bioelectricity, while the most conservative folks deny its very existence.

For the purpose of this FAQ lets assume that Qi is a convenient term for a number psychological, biological and physical phenomena some of which remain unknown that are responsible for our well being. However, a series of scientific experiments were conducted in China with the help of the most skilled Qigong masters. Go to Qigong Science for description of these experiments including much disputed change in the molecular structure of the sample 2,000 km away from the Qigong master. You can also find a brief history of Qigong scientific study on that page.

My personal experience is that there is something that directly corresponds to what the ancient manuals call Qi. I can feel the movement, the hot/cold sensations and there are externally audible sound effects due to the movement. Concentration on and knowledge of the movement is of immense help in such endeavors as martial arts. The fame of Shiao Lin Monastery monks provides a credible testimony to the physical value of Qigong training

What are the stages of training?

1) Getting rid of all chronic tension in the body, breath and the mind through various physical and mind exercises and clearing the energy routes.

This is the most important stage. It takes anywhere from 3 months to several years, depending on your age and body/mind condition to clear this stage. Building on an imperfect foundation is bound to get one hurt not to mention the wasted effort.

What are "blockages"?

We all carry small tension spots, also known as "blockages" inside. Even if there is no noticeable effort some parts of us is tense by the force of habit. Notice how uncomfortable social situations affect the body. The mind alone can cause a lot of tension. Tension spot prevents energy from going through the affected place.

What is the point of holding difficult postures?

If one tries to stretch and twist the body, the tension spots are easily revealed as they will be the main obstacles to flexibility. Also, the tension spots will be exposed by maintaining the same posture for extended periods of time since tension will require extra energy and the tension spot will be the first tired spot. Just like dirt in the water can only be noticed when the water is still, so are the blockages. That is why although moving exercise is important for learning how to maintain the connection and relaxation, the still exercises are very valuable. The other effect of still exercise is rapid accumulation of energy. The methods range from aggressive methods of Yoga to balanced methods of Taoist Qigong to mind over body (almost ignoring the direct physical training) methods of Buddhist Qigong.

''What is the point of doing the moving exercise?

Moving exercise helps the mind to guide the energy through the energy routes and to clear the passages. The feeling of "connecting" various acupuncture and other points is very important to this process, thus maintaining this feeling while performing the moving exercise is the first step to building a body that remains open, connected and healthy throughout the day not just while exercising.

What is mind training?

The body training can be used as an analogy for mind training. Various psychological problems are created by mental "grabbing" onto things, attachments. Life is very dynamic so static phenomena cause problems. In the mind those problems are living in the past and living in the future, which cause inability to live in the moment and enjoy the now. Such problems are also a sort of a tension spot, a piece of emotional memory which is exposed every time the mind is still or under stress, just like the tension spots in the body. Qigong masters differentiate between feelings and emotions. Where feeling is a healthy reaction to the environment that is present only in the moment of reaction, emotion is feeling + contemplation + memory + attachment which being a more complex thing is more difficult to resolve should it turn sour. The ideal is that of a mirror: reflecting whatever is in front of the mirror at the moment of reflection, nothing more, nothing less. The solutions and training range from the extreme of renouncing all attachments, anything that we want to posses or unwilling to give up as in Buddhist Qigong, to complete immersion of the mind into the world of feelings as in Tantric Yoga in an attempt to gain insight into the origin of emotions and to master oneself completely. One must keep in mind that just like with physical training the student places oneself into the extreme positions to help clear the problems. Depending on the final goal, the training does not necessarily mean that one must become a clean slate with no memories, emotions or desires. However, understanding the nature of such state is crucial to mastering the main tool of mind training: MEDITATION.

What is meditation and why is it important?

To restate a few points mentioned in the previous sections: the mind can cause problems in the body, there are blockages/problems in the mind as well as the body, the mind blockages become apparent and manageable in the moment of complete stillness just like dirt in the water becomes apparent only when the water is motionless. The Qigong theory claims that body cannot be perfect if the mind is not perfect. The statistics of Placebo Effect (positive reaction to sugar pills under impression that the pills are valid medication) illustrate the healing power of the mind, just like ruined health of psychologically unstable people illuminates its destructive power. Several points are important in meditation: absence of desire, absence of thought, absence of emotion, complete surrender to the moment. There are various types of meditation. The most difficult of all is meditation on nothing as in Zen meditation. Other meditations are also employed for various purposes. It is believed that once mind control of energy is mastered, meditation is the only exercise required to progress in Qigong. As it is very difficult for a beginner to really still the mind, chanting, concentration on a single object, watching the breath and other tricks are employed to keep the mind from wandering. Since the brain uses 80% of energy, meditation also helps to conserve and accumulate energy. An interesting approach is Dream Yoga. The most things that we know about dreams came from extensive research of Tibetan Dream Yoga, which attempts to resolve psychological conflicts that are illuminated by brain activity during REM. Mastery of Dream Yoga is indicated by being aware that one is dreaming and having full direction over dreams. The goal is to exhaust all dreams which is indicative of a healthy mind. In short to achieve any goal one must first build a foundation, which has to be neutral, balanced and without fault. Recommended reading: Meditation section of [library.htm Online Library].

'2) 'Control of energy by mind alone.

This is an extension and result of proper moving exercise training. Some schools ignore the moving exercises and jump to this point right away, which makes it a bit more challenging since some energy accumulation is required to actually feel the energy moving.

3) Accumulation of energy and opening of the energy channels

As energy accumulates in the body it will naturally spread throughout the body and open the channels that will stay open as long as enough energy is available. Most schools differentiate between clearing of the channels (intentional moving of the energy through the channels) and actual opening of the channels (natural movement of overflowing energy). At this point lack previous mind and body training is of extreme importance since energy takes control and any problems are highlighted and intensified creating the effect of a runaway train. However, most people never get to this point so there is nothing to worry about. We waste so much energy in our daily life that this level of attainment has become very difficult for a modern man.

How can I accumulate Qi/energy? Where does energy come from?

Small amounts of energy come from food, air, sun, etc. The main source of Qi is in your own body (aside from the energy that your teacher may be "feeding" you). In fact the only energy that is easily retained and accumulated is the energy the source of which is your own body.

Where does the energy go? Why is it difficult to accumulate energy?

Everything that we do require energy. The biggest drain comes from excess, anything extreme has extreme energy requirements. That is why Qigong always stresses following the Middle Way. The party line goes something like this: everything is connected and moving in circles, as in being extremely happy is bound to bring depression in turn, extreme activity is bound to bring exhaustion, extreme emotion brings the opposite. Consult [../tao Tao Te Ching] for further info. Meditation is the main tool of recognizing the middle. In short, to achieve any goal one must first build a foundation, which has to be neutral, balanced and without fault. (see [#meditation|What is meditation?]])

4) Advanced Qigong training, energy cultivation.

Here is where it gets real esoteric. Although many claim Qigong mastery, very few are actually at this level since in most cases it requires abandoning all other pursuits (however, there is a notion of a Worldly Master, a person who is able to continue with very advanced Qigong while attending to day-to-day life). This topic is well beyond the scope of this FAQ. There is plenty of books that offer speculation in this area (see Book Reviews).

What if you hurt myself with Qi Gong

by Sifu Wong

.....

Do not continue with whatever chi kung you are doing, and stop lifting weights or working out in a gmn for the time being. Instead, do the following, once in the morning and another time in the evening or at night. Practice for about ten minutes -- not more. Preferably practice outdoors; if you practice indoors, do so with good air circulation.

Stand upright and be relaxed. Smile from your heart. Then perform "Lifting the Sky" about 20 times. Refer to my book "The Art of Chi Kung" or "Chi Kung for Health and Vitality" for how to perform this exercise> (If you don't have a copy, buy or borrow one, but don't steal.)

Breathe in gently. Breathe out with some force, but do not over exert your self. If you are not quite sure what "with some force" is, it is sufficient if your breathing out is more than your breathing in.

After "Lifting the Sky" about 20 times, gently close your eyes (if they are not already close). Gently visualize or think of your energy blockage being cleared, and visualize or think of energy flowing down your legs.

Don't worry about how or why it works, where does the energy come from, what opens the blockage, or any other academic issues. Leave the academic intellectualization aside; it does not help you to overcome your problem.

Although your case can be serious if you allow it to persist, you need not worry unduly about it. The remedial exercise I prescribe above should overcome your problem. But don't expect the problem to disappear in two or three days. You have to practice for some time, probably for a few weeks. You will find that not only the problem has disappeared, but also you have more energy despite not having worked with weights or in a gym for some time. Then you may continue with your chi kung exercise or weight training if you like.

If you use chi kung methods to send energy from your dan tian to your arms while lifting weights, you can have better results with less effort, but you must know how to do it correctly. If you do it incorrectly, such as breathing in while exerting force, you may sustain internal injury.

If you realize that chi kung is an internal art that even masters need to spend many years to train, and you are not even a competent student, you would not be so unwise and unreasonable to think that you know enough to "be on your own" to apply chi kung to other arts. Your foggy glasses is an indication that your self-taught knowledge on chi kung is insufficient to enable you to apply chi kung correctly, and if you do not heel the warning, you are on the way to another round of internal injury.

If you are contented with chi kung dance or gentle exercise, you can learn it from a book, but if you want genuine chi kung which you can safely and fruitfully apply to weight lifting and other aspects of your work and play, you have to learn it from a master.

.... what type of chi kung exercise you did, or whether you learned it from my books or other books. Whatever it is, if a teacher or an author mentions that certain exercises are not to be attempted without supervision, you must follow the advice.