About Zhineng Qigong

What is Zhineng Qigong?

Qigong is the oldest form of Chinese medicine and indeed the basis upon which Chinese medicine first developed. It entails learning to manipulate qi (amongst other things, the vital energy which differentiates life from death) through a series of movements and postures and a focused meditation. The long history of qigong has led to a wide variety of forms, some more meditational, others more physical; the various forms of medical qigong, under which Zhineng Qigong is generally classified, focus on both body and mind.

Zhineng Qigong was developed in the early 1980s by Professor Ming Pang at a time when the Chinese government encouraged the popularisation of qigong in an effort to reduce medical costs and maintain good health amongst the Chinese population. Its exercises are relatively easy to learn and very effective and his methods spread rapidly throughout China. Practitioners learn and practice a series of movements that make up a particular 'method' or exercise. The daily practice of these movements increases vital energy and unblocks the energy channels of the body to bring about a free flow of qi. Improved health is the outcome, since all illness is associated with lack of qi and blockages in its flow.

Zhineng Qigong uses both body and mind to enhance health and heal illness. The particular movement series or postures are carried out in a meditative state of deep relaxation. Each Method or Form is part of a system of practice that an individual can choose to follow more or less intensively, to cure illness or simply to remain in optimal health. The range of Methods and Forms gives considerable flexibility and choice to suit individual situations.

Numerous studies in China and internationally have demonstrated that the practise of qigong improves lung capacity, improves the transportation of oxygen to the cells and their utilisation of it, improves the functioning of the circulatory system, makes cardiac muscles more efficient, increases digestive juices, adjusts internal secretions and regulates the glands, increases bone density, slows aging and increases longevity.

While the first and most obvious benefits of Zhineng Qigong are an improvement in physical health and a sense of wellbeing, its practice also has powerful effects on the mental faculties. Many of its practitioners not only are cured of their illnesses and attain a much better level of physical health but also develop their mental faculties and can use them to benefit both themselves and others. Some become powerful healers, many are able to better achieve in their chosen field.

Zhineng Qigong is a form of moving meditation that lays equal emphasis on the body and the mind and that involves both dynamic and static gong, i.e. both movement series and standing postures. It consists of an integrated series of methods and exercises that together work on the whole body and organs as well as the mind/spirit (shen). Depending on an individual's particular health problems it is possible to focus on particular exercises or parts of a method.

Email patricia@qigongtrust.org.nz
Phone Patricia on +64 4 499 1216.