(Also known as Chi-gung*)

WHAT IS QIGONG?
Qi means “life-force energy” and gong means ”skill”, so Qigong is the skillful practice of gathering, circulating, and applying life-force energy. *This energy is also known as “Chi-gung”. (There are two different systems that we use in the West to translate the Chinese language. Whilst it sometimes leads to confusion, it’s all the same thing, Qi or Chi!)

THE HISTORY OF QIGONG
About 5000 years ago Siberian Shamanism came to China, the people who lived in the Yangtze delta were said to have used a slow rhythmical dance, based on the movements they saw in nature. These dance kept their joints supple during the long, damp and foggy months. From these "dances" Qigong and it's sister Tai-chi evolved.

The greatest boost Qigong received was around 550 A.D. when the Indian prophet Bodhidharma traveled from India to the famous Shaolin Temple in Manchuria. On arrival he went into a deep meditation on the Monks exceptionally brutal Martial Arts forms, and realised what was needed was a gentler training system.

After 9 years of meditation and seclusion, he was finally ready to teach! The theory of Modern Qigong is based on his combining of Tantric yoga techniques with the original "dances.” He mapped the internal energy paths and created both the exercise forms, and the therapy.

All Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Acupuncture, is based on and has evolved from this Qigong view of energy.