The Supreme Commander “The Heart is the monarch of the 5 Yin organs and 6 Yang organs, and it is the residence of the mind.” ……..The ‘Spiritual Axis’

As we approach the summer season, the heart’s energy (the Fire element is also related to the summer season) becomes prominent, and Qigong practice should be practiced accordingly. Based on research conducted in China, I thought I would give a little background on the findings of qigong practice for the heart.

The Effects of Qigong on the Heart.

Heart Qigong practice can increase the efficiency of the oxygen supply from the heart, increase the adaptability of the heart’s stroke volume and reduce or slow down the illnesses associated with the heart. Several studies have been conducted on the effects of Qigong on the heart. Here is a summary of two famous studies conducted in China which looked at the effects of Qigong on hypertension and found significant benefits of regular practice. The studies were conducted with large groups and over long periods of time.

Research Study 1.

A significant study to assess the effects of Qigong on hypertension and related conditions was undertaken at the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, where 122 individuals were randomly selected for Qigong practice with a control group of 120 non-practitioners (all of similar ages) and tracked for a 30 year period. Both groups took standard hypertensive drugs. At the end of the trial, almost 48% of the control group had died, whereas just over 25% of the qigong group had died, highlighting a P value of p<0.001. (A probability of less than one in a thousand). There was also a significant difference in the incidence of stroke, approximately half within the Qigong group at 20.49% compared with 40.83% within the control group. The mortality rate as a result of stroke was 15.57% in the Qigong group and more than double in the control group at 32.5%, giving a P value of p<0.01. Overall, the study concluded that the Qigong practitioners had stronger heart muscles and better left ventricular function when diagnosed via ultrasound and that the practice of Qigong significantly reduced the multiple cerebro-cardiovascular risk factors. (Wong, Xu, Qian & Shi 1993).

Research Study 2.

A similar study to the Shanghai research outlined above was conducted at Xiamen University in Fujian Province. This 6-year study involved 204 hypertensive patients. The findings showed similar results. Combining Qigong with hypertensive drugs was 19% more effective than the drugs alone. The mortality rate was also significantly lower at 17% within the Qigong group compared to 32% within the control group. The benefits of Qigong also indicated better adaptability to stressful situations, shown by more stable blood pressure and following six months of daily practice; there were less abnormal blood clotting and higher HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels in the blood compared with the control group. (Xian 1990).

Higher HDL levels help transport LDL out of the tissues and blood, lowering the risk of heart disease (Ornish 1990).

Heart Regulating Exercise.

Posture and mental focus are key during the practice of any Qigong exercise. The body must be relaxed, and the mind must be clear of distractions. The focus should be on the dantien. There are several Li Xin Gong exercises. Here is a very simple, safe, yet effective exercise routine.   Inhale through the nose and exhale via the mouth for these exercises. When practicing this Li Xin Gong, stand facing south. Whilst this can be practiced at any time, the optimal times are between the hours of 11 am and 1 pm – the time when the flow of Qi is strongest in the heart or between 11 pm and 1 am, which is the period of ‘ebb tide’ of the heart.

According to Beinfield & Korngold, symptoms of excess appear during the peak times of the flow of Qi, whereas symptoms of deficiency appear during the ebb tides of Qi. (Beinfield & Korngold 1991).

• Begin by standing with feet shoulder-width apart and the palms (one on top of the other) placed over the dantien. Ladies should place the right palm against the dantien and vice versa for men.

• Relax your posture, gently holding your knees and tucking your chin down. Be aware of the ‘BaiHui’ point at the top of the head and feel rooted at the ‘Yongquan’ point in the soles of the feet. Gently pull up the muscles at the ‘HuiYin’ (perineum) point and place the tongue tip on the mouth’s palate. Take your time adjusting your posture and relaxing. When ready, move on to step 3.

• After holding this posture for a few minutes, move your palms and let your arms hang by your side, palms facing in.

• Raise your arms out to the sides up to shoulder height with palms facing up. Continue moving the arms forward, with palms facing each other. Pull palms inwards towards your chest. This movement should be done as you breathe in. As you breathe in, imagine fine red silk threads entering your nose.

• As you exhale, imagine the silk threads going to your heart. During the exhalation, make a ‘HA’ sound. Don’t hold or force your breath at any point. Breathe naturally. At the same time as you begin to exhale, face the palms downwards and lower them down past the dantien and finish with your arms hanging by your side, palms facing in as in step 3.

Repeat this exercise cycle 12 to 24 times daily.

—

DISCLAIMER: These exercises are not intended to replace any conventional treatment and do not make any claims of a ‘cure’ to any health condition. If you have any doubts about your physical health, consult a qualified physician before exercising. Whilst these exercises are generally simple and safe, you should discontinue immediately and seek medical assistance if you experience any discomfort or ill effects. Practice of the above exercises is done at your own risk, and the author of this article or any other members of ‘The Academy Of Eastern Arts team’ including web hosts, assume(s) no responsibility for any injury or damage resulting from the execution of the techniques and exercises presented here. It is recommended that you see a physician before beginning ANY exercise program.

The post 理心 – Li Xin Gong appeared first on The Academy of Eastern Arts.

Sitting for a minimum of 30 minutes with a focus on the ‘Tisra Til’ (Third Eye; location of Yintang – between the brow) seemed to be never-ending and tedious, but from recollection, calming, as I was quite hyper as a child. The exercises became habitual, and eventually, I was happy to do them, although only for short periods.

At about the same time, I developed a keen interest in Japanese Martial Arts. As I went through my teenage years, my passion for Martial Arts grew stronger, and the pranayam exercises faded. It wasn’t until 1987, when I began practicing Chinese Martial Arts, that I was briefly re-introduced to Qigong. Four years later, when I met Master Wen Linjun (my principal teacher), the importance of Qigong for both health and Martial Arts became apparent and meaningful again.  We regularly studied ‘Zhen Yuan Gong’ and Baduan Jin Qigong, amongst other qigong and martial practices. The benefits further developed my interests, and I was fascinated by the health outcomes resulting from the practice. I continued to learn variations of Qigong with several Master’s and eventually went full circle and ended up in Northern India for instructor training in Pranayam!

The one thing I have found common to virtually all Qigong sets that I have learnt is that they immediately calmed the Shen. Other benefits become apparent with regular practice over time. I was fortunate to have been asked by David Mayor to contribute to a book focusing on ‘Qi’, which required research of various Qigong practices. Working in conjunction with Professor Cyril Smith, a retired physicist from Imperial College, a specific ‘water dowsing’ technique was used to measure the Qi projections from a distance to ascertain if and to what extent the various qigong practises imprinted a specific frequency on water contained in glass tubes.

Smith claims to have found specific endogenous frequencies for each of the acupuncture meridians, which he is able to measure from imprints left on tubes of water using ‘dowsing’. The theory of frequency in biological systems was initially presented by Herbert Frohlich in the late 1950s. Sergio Fedatov, a physicist based in Vladivostok, Russia, also claims to have discovered specific frequencies relating to each of the acupuncture meridians and has subsequently developed a pulse machine that shows which meridians have a ‘full or deficient’ condition using specific frequencies similar to that of Smith’s dowsing methods. I was fortunate enough to meet with Fedatov in 2008 and witness his pulse machine in action.

Homoeopathy is based on frequencies imprinted in water following a process of dilution of the water with a mother tincture followed by succession (tapping the water vile containing the diluted substance on a leather-bound book). Following succession, one drop of the tincture to 100 drops of water gives a 1c remedy. One drop of this remedy mixed with a further 100 drops of water gives a 2c remedy, and so on. The higher the number, the more dilute the substance, yet the higher the potency. Borland (1982).

Batmanghelidj (1992) also advocates the theory of imprints on water, which change the frequencies and have relative effects on the biological systems dependent on the imprint. In his book, ‘Your Body’s Many Cries For Water,’ he claims to have cured life-threatening illnesses simply with water.

In the Qi experiments conducted with Smith, I used several Qigong practises, including mudras (hand/finger positions), Mantras (similar to prayers), ‘Healing Sounds’ Qigong, Indian yogic Pranayam exercises, and more commonly practised Qigong, such as Yi Jin Jing and Baduan Jin. The water vile had blank frequencies, to begin with, and following each practice, Qi was projected using intention from approximately a metre away. Every practice is imprinted between 1 and 4 frequencies.

Some correlated exactly to what the Qigong posture is stated for, i.e., an exercise for the Lung showed the frequency of the Lung after projecting Qi imprinted in the water. However, some did not correlate directly, and there could be several reasons for this. In one test, I intended to stimulate the Spleen, but a Heart-stimulating frequency was measured. “This tube did not show any response to 5.500×10-2 Hz from the oscillator, the nominal frequency of the Spleen meridian, but did show a response to an imprint copied from an actual Spleen meridian at this frequency”. (Smith 2009). Interestingly, most tests showed an imprint of the Heart frequency amongst others, indicating the Shen calming effects of Qigong.

The post Some Research on Qigong appeared first on The Academy of Eastern Arts.

Qigong forms a core modality of Chinese Medicine alongside Acupuncture, Herbs, and tuina, yet there is little awareness among the general public. Patients and students alike often ask me, “What is Qigong?” Tell them it’s breathing exercises combined with ‘Mind Yoga,’ and it begins to have some acceptance.

There are thousands of Qigong forms, which are practiced for varying reasons, such as health, martial arts, spiritual attainment, and medical purposes. The core of all qigong is to move the Qi along the meridian pathways using the mind, physical movement, and/or specific breathing techniques, either singularly or in combination.

Almost all Qigong sets practiced for health today focus on expelling ‘negative Qi’ and/or replenishing Qi within the internal organs whether directly or indirectly.

Qigong is often practised as a general health exercise that benefits the whole body. However, when there is a specific illness or weakness, exercises can be selected to address that problem.

The Lord blew into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life and Adam became a living being. – GENESIS

The Origins of Qigong.

The term Qigong is often defined as – ‘A special skill or study which takes time to master’. (Yang 2003).

The earliest recorded evidence of ‘Qigong type exercise’ dates back to approximately 3000BCE, where reference to the word ‘Yoga’ is made at least 80 times within the Bhagavad Gita (The book is often described as ‘The concise guide to Hindu philosophy)’. Almost everywhere this word is used within the ancient text, the meaning more or less translates as ‘Skilful method’. By the turn of the 20th century, yoga had become more commonly known as the ‘system for controlling the mental impulses of the organs by means of pranayama (control of the breath). (Tilak 1915).

In ancient China, Qigong practice can be traced back to the reign of the Yellow Emperor (2696 – 2598 B.C), who is said to have practiced breathing exercises, meditation and internal & sexual alchemy and lived to the ripe old age of 111 years. During that period, Qigong was more commonly practised as a form of healing by the tribal shamans. (Johnson 2002). The shamans discovered that particular movements had specific effects upon the body. Even tribal dances to different rhythms had varied outcomes, and the shamans began to relate these movements to the flow of Qi and its beneficial effects on the internal organs. (Zhang & Rose).

Over time, Qigong-like exercises in China began to develop, and an understanding of the benefits of combining movement with specific breathing exercises became evident. During the Zhou Dynasty (1028 – 221 BCE), exercises based on the movements of animals became popular. One of the earliest recorded sets of Qigong is the famous ‘5 animal frolics’ (Wu Qin Xi) developed by Hua Tuo, which are based on the movements of the Bear, Tiger, Monkey, Deer and Crane. The exercises are said to enhance the body at all levels, from stretching the ligaments and tendons to nourishing the organs such as the heart and kidneys. (Cohen 1997).

Qigong can be argued to be the core of all physical, mental and spiritual practice. It is the skill of moving Qi through your body via physical movement, breath, and/or intention. My martial arts and qigong teacher, Dr Wen, once told me that practicing martial arts without practicing qigong is empty practice. The internal martial arts of Taiji, Xing Yi and Bagua Zhang have origins from a spiritual practice whereby hand/body postures were held in specific positions to cultivate the qi. Even the walking, such as the circle walking in Bagua Zhang, was very precise in stimulating and developing the Qi, focusing on internal alchemy to change the jing from ‘ice to water and eventually to mist.’

The post A Focus on Qigong appeared first on The Academy of Eastern Arts.