Qigong, known as an important component of traditional
Chinese culture, originated in ancient China and its functions vary
among different traditional Chinese cultural schools. (Click to
watch the introduction video
of Qigong 
)
Confucians practice Qigong to cultivate their mind and
body; Taoists and Buddhists do it to transcend worldliness; Chinese
medical physicians use it to cure illness and maintain health; and
martial arts learners practice it to defend themselves and ward off
attacks.
A group of Qigong
masters have paid a 14-day visit to the United States from January
30. This is the first time the ancient Chinese healing practice has
been formally introduced to Americans.
A group of Qigong masters have paid a 14-day visit to
the United States from January 30. This is the first time the
ancient Chinese healing practice has been formally introduced to
Americans. During China's Spring Festival period, the Chinese
Health Qigong Association has also sent another five groups to six
countries to promote healthy Qigong. A total of 36
promotion events are planned for 2008.
Since 2006, the association has held three rounds of overseas
promotion tours, reaching more than 50,000 people in nearly 30
countries, and over 10,000 have begun to practice health qigong. It
has also deployed trainers in 29 countries.
At the beginning of the new century, the Chinese Health Qigong
Association developed four Health Qigong Exercises based on
superior traditional Qigong practices, including Wu
Qin Xi (frolics of five animals), Yi Jin Jing
(tondon-changing classic), Liu Zi Jue (the art of
expiration while producing six different sounds), and Ba Duan
Jin (eight excellent movements). These exercises meet the
people's needs to promote their health and strengthen their body,
and they also further develop traditional Chinese national
culture.
China.org.cn herein will exclusively unveil 22 videos to teach
anyone interested how to practice the four healthy Qigong
exercises. If you missed the chance to meet and learn something
from Qigong masters a few days ago, you can still manage
to learn from this site.
Wu Qin Xi
Wu Qin Xi (frolics of five animals) was developed by
Hua Tuo, the most famous doctor of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220
A.D.). The exercises imitate the actions of animals based on the
habits of the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. They combine Tu
Na (the art of expiration and inspiration) and Dao Yin (the
movement of the limbs in Qigong) with theories covering
the Viscera, Channels and Collaterals, Qi and Blood in traditional
Chinese medicine. Its new adaptation for Health Qigong embodies the
essences of traditional Wu Qin Xi, and combines physical
actions with the body aesthetics and modern athletic science.
(Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5)
Yi Jin Jing
Yi Jin Jing (tondon-changing classic). This method of
health-building exercise evolved from ancient China, and its
purpose is to strengthen the muscles and tendons. Via research,
Yi Jin Jing germinated from regimens practiced during the
Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220 AD) dynasties. Legend says
that the monk Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen in China,
advanced Yi Jin Jing. And then the monks in the Shaolin
Temple developed it and used it to promote health. Its new
adaptation for Health Qigong embodies the essences of traditional
Yi Jin Jing in 12 forms. It has been developed, simplified
and standardized using modern theories and methods of health
science, so as to be a smooth and coherent set of movements. Hence
it has remarkable tendencies toward promoting health.
(Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5)
Liu Zi Jue
Liu Zi Jue (the art of expiration by producing six
different sounds) is a traditional exercise that promotes health.
It is practiced through the art of expiration. It has a long
history and is quite widespread. The earliest record for this type
of Qigong dates back to the Southern and Northern
Dynasties (420 - 589 AD). During the process of its spread, the
masters of medicine and regimens over various generations
replenished and improved it. The current adaptation is based upon
the traditional one, but utilizes modern scientific theories and
methods. The order of the six characters, the pronunciation and the
degree of lip-rounding have been regulated and standardized to make
it more scientific and reasonable. (Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5)
Ba Duan Jin
Ba Duan Jin (eight excellent movements) emerged before
the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD) and gradually was perfected during
the periods of the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD) and Qing (1644 - 1911 AD)
dynasties. Being a traditional health-promoting exercise jointly
developed by the masters of regimen and practitioners of past
dynasties, Ba Duan Jin, the treasure of the Chinese
regimen culture has great popularity because its movements are
simple and easy to learn and bring about good results toward
enhancing health. Its new adaptation embodies the essences of
different schools yet preserves traditional movements and style.
Based on modern athletic science and physiology, the order of the
movements has been changed and the amount of physical exercise
regulated reasonably, so as to make it more suitable, effective and
standardized. (Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6)
(China.org.cn February 14, 2008)
