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Like the other forms, medical qigong is "the cultivation and deliberate control of a higher form of vital energy" (Dong & Esser 1990:xi). It is also, as Yan Xin (1991: i) defines it, "an ancient philosophical system of harmonious integration of the human body with the universe." As a radical denial of the human species' separation from nature, qigong challenges the foundations of modern Western biomedical thought.
Medical qigong involves breathing exercises combined with meditation. The breathing exercises induce help induce the state of meditation, and vice versa. One is aware of what is going on, but not too aware, fully relaxed but not in a trance. In a qigong state, cares and troubles wash away. Replacing them are positive images, increased confidence, and enhanced spirit. Eventually, there will be no distractions, depressing thoughts or worries. Through meditation one gains feelings of happiness. This in turn stimulates circulation of blood and qi, or life force. If one is ill, over time the body's functions are thus able to return to normal. If one is not ill, the existing sense of wellness and well-being increases. People of all ages can learn to practice qigong, and so develop and maintain internal vigour and good health.
During the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1965-76) the Communist Party and Red Guards suppressed qigong. In about 1978 it began to make a comeback. In China in the 1980s there was an upsurge of interest in qigong. Today, more than 70 million Chinese practice qigong every day (McGee w/Chow 1994:xiii). Some do this to treat and cure an existing illness. Others are trying to prevent the onset of disease. Still others want to feel and perform better, experience higher levels of energy and stamina, and slow down the ageing process. Qigong is least effective against acute illness or medical emergencies. It is better at preventing disease, and treating chronic conditions or disabilities. Inspired by tales of the qigong masters' miracle cures (see Eisenberg w/Wright 1985), many Westerners are travelling to China for treatment.
Now qigong is rapidly invading North America. In 1988 the Chinese held in Beijing the first World Conference for exchanging qigong medical research (MacRitchie 1993: 4). Later world conferences happened in Tokyo and Berkeley. Another will take place in the summer of 1996 in New York City. Today, North American psychological, physiological and medical researchers are studying qigong with rapidly increasing interest. University students throughout North America have formed qigong practice groups, and on the Internet WorldWide Web qigong home pages are blossoming. A very large movement is underway.
The Chinese have found qigong an effective way to treat substance abuse and obesity. This gentle art improves delivery of oxygen to the body's cells, reduces stress and improves bowel functioning. Chinese doctors have applied qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals suffering from a variety of ailments. These include allergies, arthritis, asthma, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, gout, headaches, heart disease and hypertension. The list goes on: chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lower back pain, Meniere's disease, myopia, obesity, neurasthenia, paralysis induced by external injury, retinopathy (deterioration of the back of the eye), rheumatism, sciatic neuralgia, sleeplessness, stress, torticollis, ulcers, and peripheral vascular disease. Qigong can successfully treats cancer and reduce or eliminate side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It is helpful in treating aphasia (loss or impairment of ability to speak), cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and post-stroke syndrome. It is especially useful in treating any kind of chronic pain, and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Qigong can help one fight virtually any disease. Through qigong, patients can cure many of the 50% of all diseases that Western doctors dismiss as untreatably 'psychosomatic.' If you try qigong to treat an existing illness, do so if possible under the guidance of a licensed Chinese medical doctor. Don't try it completely on your own. Beginners need professional supervision. Here the doctor or qigong practitioner acts as an advisor and teacher, rather than a Western-style repair technician. The patient must be an active partner in the health care process.
Qigong offers individuals a way to achieve a relaxed, harmonious state of dynamic equilibrium. It typically improves their overall health status, allowing them to maintain a life free from pain, and full of vigour and grace. Qigong is a proper therapeutic practice with which to address virtually any chronic health problem. The various forms of Chinese medical massage (tuinah) derive directly from qigong. These practices compliment and supplement orthodox medical interventions.
Many millions of people have learned and practised qigong in its many thousand year history. We do not know how old qigong is, but the further we go back in Chinese history the larger qigong looms as a cultural force. Some turtle-shell artifacts conclusively show the art was important at least 7,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests the practice may go back a million years. About 2,000 years ago The *Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine* first systematically described qigong practice. Now qigong has finally reached North America -- through the increasing popularity of kung fu movies, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Qigong was a natural discovery of the New Age movement. Its underlying philosophy and practice both serve that movement's goals: qigong does 'raise consciousness' in significant respects.
Chinese herbology, acupuncture, and chi gong are three parts of a single entity, as closely related as water, steam, and ice. They can be and often are used separately, and may be used together. With dietetics and massage they are considered to be the indispensable components of traditional Chinese health care.... While acupuncture and herbal medicine typically focus on curing sickness, chi gong usually focuses on maintaining good health (as do massage and balanced -- for yin and yang -- nutrition).In the philosophy of qigong, a primary aim is to maintain or restore balance and harmony of mind-body. Through qigong, one can build up qi and move it to where a disturbance or blockage occurs. Practitioners gain more than improved health. They learn another way of looking at and experiencing the dynamic unity of life, one far removed from the disenchanted and alienated thoughtways common in Western civilization. Students of qigong learn to fulfil their potential to self-actualize as highly successful members of our species.
In Chinese medical theory, many diseases come from adverse environmental conditions such as (MacRitchie 1993: 64):
heat, cold, wind, dryness and humidity; wrong diet; spoiled food; worms and microbes; poisoning and pollution; trauma and accidents. Internal conditions can arise from excess or deficient emotions of anger, joy, sympathy, grief or fear [and] inappropriate mental attitudes and beliefs. There are also maladies of the spirit which can cause serious problems. These factors can cause one's chi [qi] to become excessive, deficient, stuck, blocked, congested or stagnant, and thereby cause all manner of problems.When the immune system is strong, one is emotionally centered within one's body, and qi and blood are flowing freely, then most diseases should disappear.
The goal of practising qigong is to make our qi circulate strongly in our bodies. This helps us resist or overcome imbalances or blockages and their resulting disharmonies. That is also the goal of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Practising qigong helps us intuit the infinity of the universe. It lets us sense our place as organized clusters of energy-information within the immense whole. Qi is an informational message and its carrier, a complex energy substance basic to life itself. Chinese medicine can prolong life, vitality and well-being by slowing the ageing process. This it accomplishes due to the affinities of certain herbs to qi and the milieu within which qi exists. Qigong therefore 'fits' into the regimen of Chinese medicine. The qigong art thus plays a fully active role to prevent disease or permit recovery.
One need not become a qigong master to experience many of its healing effects. For health purposes, you need to learn only a few exercises. Conversely, qigong is far from being an instant cure-all. To benefit one must achieve a state of tranquillity, find release from tension, build a positive attitude, and develop strong, committed will power. We can get benefits in one of three ways. First, one can go to a qigong master for treatment by that master's external qi. This is only possible in China, or perhaps at times in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver. Any one particular master may be unable to cure your problem (they are specialists!). Second, one can seek get treatment from a master and practice exercise and meditation. Third, in a supervised group, one can learn to treat oneself. This last is the only real option for most North Americans.
Under the third option, to gain full benefits of qigong requires time, patience, commitment to its practice, determination and persistence. This art involves more than simple physical training. It requires educating one's breathing and thought processes. This means increasing one's ability to sense one's body, and to feel and imagine. As with any other aspect of human endeavour, some people will prove more adept at the art than others, and so will progress more quickly. However, anyone with enough motivation can learn adequate qigong skills to make a large impact upon one's quality of life. This can take from a minimum of three months up to a year (Dong & Esser 1990:52). There are no shortcuts. There are also though no obvious limits to how far one may progress.
Sustenance energy comes into the body, we think, partly from the sky and air, and only partly from the earth through what we eat. The lungs take in qi from the air. One can teach the skin at a few acupuncture points to take in qi energy-information from the sunlight, moonlight, starlight, and electric lights, etc. Qigong involves a conscious effort to increase our connectedness with the universe. That means taking in more sustenance energy from non-food sources. For novice qigongers, it is exhilarating to take in energy directly from the universe. There is a consequent temptation to slight one's food-based nutritional needs. People with a tendency toward anorexia may find the tendency growing during a period of intensive qigong practice. If so, they must stop the exercises until the condition recedes. Fasting (bigu) can have a place in qigong. However, undertake a genuine fast only under the strict supervision of a Chinese medical doctor well versed in qigong.
People often want to try as quickly as possible to emit external qi like a qigong master through the eyes, fingertips or palms. This can be dangerous. One should not attempt it except after long years of practice, and only then under close supervision of a qigong master or Chinese medical doctor. Do not be in any hurry to emit your qi. Doing that can dangerously deplete your own vitality. Avoid sexual intercourse for at least one hour before and after a qigong session.
There are limits to what you can learn about qigong from reading. One really should begin to practice this art by enrolling in a course or joining an organized group.
Dr. Yuqiu Guo studied advanced Western medicine at Japan's Osaka University. She was formerly Chief Doctor at China's famous Harbin Medical University Hospital. She follows the approach of Dr. Yan Xin, perhaps China's most eminent contemporary qigong master (Dong & Esser 1994: 123-4; McGee w/Chow 1994: 190-6; Wozniak, Wu and Wang 1991). Her clinic and herbal pharmacy, the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Centre, are located at 883 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; (613) 233-1098 or (613) 723-2098.
Chinese Way to Health. New York: Paragon House.
Qi: Exploring Chinese Medicine. New York: Penguin Books.
Longmead, Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element Books.
Healing from China: Qigong. Coeur d'Alene, ID: MediPress: 17-19.
Qigong and the Contemporary Sciences., prelim. ed. Champaign IL: International Yan Xin Qigong Association.
Berkeley: University of California Press.
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