Qi gong or "energy cultivation" is a mind-body exercise, or a form of "moving meditation" with its origins in Chinese medicine. Qi gong is widely used as a health-promotion routine and is often practiced along side martial arts such as Ta Chi Chuan. There are various forms of qi gong and many share similarities with other mind-body exercises such as yoga. Qi gong focuses on aligning body, breath and mind throughout a series of co-ordinated movements and stretches.
Some of the more popular forms of qi gong include:
- Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Yì Jīn Jīng 易筋经).
- Five Animals (Wu Qin Xi 五禽戲).
- Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue 六字訣).
- Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin 八段錦)
I've been practicing the Eight Brocade series for a while now and have begun to incorporate this sequence into a yoga class I teach at the moment, along with some other exercises with martial arts influences. Master Fay Yip provides a nice demonstration of the Eight Brocade sequence here
The movements in the Eight Brocade sequence generally follow this order:
- Two Hands Hold up the Heavens
- Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk
- Separate Heaven and Earth
- Wise Owl Gazes Backwards
- Sway the Head and Shake the Tail
- Two Hands Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist
- Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely
- Bouncing on the Toes
Each of the movements in the sequence has a specific benefit; Separate Heaven and Earth for example, is said to benefit the stomach and spleen (i.e. the digestive system). Some more explanation can be found here
