How to fight against stress : the Qi Gong

Qi Gong (“Mastery of energy”) is the Chinese health exercise in the Chinese tradition. It looks like Tai Chi Chuan, which is a martial art. Qi Gong is taught in Taoist monasteries as well as to Shaolin martial artists and others. Qi Gong is taught in Chinese hospitals as a therapeutic exercise.

A relaxing dance
During a Qi Gong session, the participant is invited to practise slow movements that are comparable to slow dancing. He or she is trained to modulate their breathing and to concentrate on the circulation of energy in their body. Numerous scientific experiments, mainly on stress, have been carried out in different parts of the world and the results have showed that the relaxing and peaceful effect of Qi Gong also improves the physiological elements not only of relaxation but also of the immune system. First and foremost, Qi Gong has a preventive effect; it is a way of life that can increase the zen-like qualities of one’s life day by day.

A help for smokers
Qi Gong can help smokers to get through the transitional period up to the moment of complete cessation, not only making it as comfortable as possible, stress-free and without pain, but also quickly helping one to regain one’s own energy. 

Benefits for everyone 
Qi Gong can also help improve the health of those with heart conditions and hypertension, chronic or infectious degenerative diseases.

• It is is traditionally renowned for slowing down the ageing process and has been proved effective in preventing falls by older people.
• It can help calm children, which increases their ability to concentrate, so that learning is improved.
• It is recommended for athletes (or anyone undertaking competitive activities) to help improve their performance and to speed up the recovery process.
• It is beneficial to pregnant women prior to giving birth.
• And as a general rule, Qi Gong is recommended to anybody who wishes to take control over their lives by reducing stress and increasing level of relaxation.

In Practice
The Qi Gong European Institute has produced an introductory programme with a video and a DVD which completes Yves Requena’s work “Qi Gong, exercise for happy people”. Sixty different exercises can be found on their website, which help reduce stress and insomnia, pains and hormonal disorders, and raises morale when spirits are low , etc… 
DVD "Discovering QI Gong": Details on the DVD. 

Buy book : www.matinclair.com 

Qi Gong Training Schools : www.ieqg.com  or www.iiqg.com