In practice qigong deals with the earth, but it also deals with what is termed the heavens. One of the sequences I teach is called: Between Heaven and Earth.
Qi means energy; gong means skill or mastery. The study of qigong is any practice that works with qi (energy) and develops skill with qi.
Pronounced “chi gong”Qigong is used in three main areas.
- Health and Healing: Mastery of qi allows the practice of moving and emitting qi to heal yourself and others.
- Kung Fu: Martial arts such as Tai Chi are developed from a knowledge of qigong.
- Religion and Spiritual Awareness: Understanding qi and learning how it moves gives you an awareness of the spiritual realm.
Energy is a very physical thing, but you don’t usually see it. That doesn’t mean it is not there. There are channels of energy that run through our bodies: The Chinese have outlined 12 main meridians that feed or strengthen different internal organs. They also describe the extra-ordinary meridians which are wider and robust, running through our arms and legs and body like a thick moving river. These according to Chinese medicine strengthen and feed our musculature, bones and joints.
Once you learn to be aware of this energy and how it moves in and works with your body, you begin to be aware of the energy all around you. Trees, plants, animals, rivers, rocks, and mountains all have qi and in general they are there for our edification and strength. In fact there is energy all around us and we can learn to swim and move in it.
Qigong works a lot with the breath. In the Scriptures, this word also means life force or energy.
Remember God created the heavens and the earth and ALL that is in it. This is a physical thing, our bodies come with a bioenergetic force. When God formed us out of the dust of the ground, He BREATHED His Spirit into us and we became living beings! He gave us this energy! My drive is to connect with it and apply it to the physical body AND to bow down and be thankful for all He has provided for us now and forever.
Reference: Long White Cloud Qigong.