Being a traditional art of the self-training of body and mind and a prophylactic method, Qigong, created by the Chinese people in the long process of life, labour and fight against diseases and senium, can prevent and cure diseases, strengthen health and prolong life. It is one of the gems in the treasure-house of China's cultural heritage as well as an important part of traditional Chinese Medicine.
Qigong is an art and skill to train qi. To be exact, it is a method by which the practitioner gets physical and mental self-exercise through bringing into play his initiative. To achieve this aim, the practitioner must integrate his mind with postures and respiration and act on the whole organism. On one hand, it actively and intrinsically self-regulates the functional activities of the organism and maintains a dynamic equilibrium, on the other, it enables the body to produce an "energy-storing" reaction, reduce energy consumption and increase energy acumulation, which result in the regulating of Yin and Yang, dredging the channels and collaterals and emitting external qi.
The basic theory of qigong is closely related with the Yin-Yang theory, viscera theory and the theory of channels and colaterals of traditional Chinese Medicine. According to traditional Chinese Medicine, the viscera govern all of the activities of person's body. Qigong may achieve different effects through the viscera.
The heart governs mental activities. To exercise qigong can concentrate the mind and bring the brain into a tranquil state so as to reach the purpose of regulating and recuperating the “mental activities.” The heart also governs blood circulation and has its outward manifestation in the face. Qigong exercise may effect the exuberance of the heart-qi manifested by even, gentle and forceful pulse, ruddy and lustrous complexion.
The lung governs qi and is in charge of respiration. The breathing exercise can inhale the essence qi of the heaven and earth and exhale the turbid qi in the viscera. The inhaled essence qi not only enriches the genuine qi, but can also directly promote the circulation of qi and blood so that the qi and blood throughout the body can flow freely; all the viscera, the limbs and bone can function normally.
The kidney governs the reception of respired air through the lung. When the practitioner sinks the respired air to Dantian (Elixir Field) through deep, long abdominal respiration, he can further strengthen the lowering function of the lung and the receptive function of the kidney, thus achieving a state of deep, long, gentle respiration. At this time, the inhaled essence qi of the heaven and earth sinks to meet and combine with the congenital essence qi of the kidney to transform into the genuine qi of the human body, thus enabling the internal qi and strength of the body to condense and strengthen rapidly.
Inside the kidneys locates the gate of life which is the root of primordial qi, the residence of water and fire. The exercise of qigong can make the gate of life fire sufficient, the spleen earth warmed, the viscera nourished, food and air transported. Yatig-qi lifted and the constitution strengthened.
The liver stores blood and is in charge of thinking. It prefers cheerfulness and magnanimity and is averse to gloominess and depression. Gloomy mood and stagnation of the liver qi1 may cause the abnormal dispersing and dredging function of the liver while through relaxation and tranquilization qigong dirigation can stabilize the moods and recover the normal dispersing and dredging function.
The spleen has the function to transport and transform nutrients. Saliva is its excretion. Qigong dirigation can, on one hand, directly strengthen the spleen's function and bring about an increase in saliva and appetite; on the other, qigong lays stress on abdominal respiration which strengthens the superio-inferior movement of the diaphragm, thus producing a massaging effect on the stomach and promoting the peristaltic and digestive functions of the Stomach.