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Traditional Chinese medicine holds that disease occurs when there is stagnation of qi, which will be cured when the circulation of qi and blood is improved. Qigong is a therapy effective for treating stagnation of qi and promoting the circulation of qi and blood. Qigong therapy can be divided into two main categories: self-treatment, i.e. the practice of qigong by patients themselves and treatment from others, i.e. receiving the external qi emitted by experienced practitioners.

Practicing qigong in a proper way will make the qi flow smoothly, enhancing the metabolism and the immune function. It helps one overcome disease by tapping the latent power of the body. Although there are various ways to practice qigong, the following three elements should always be included, I.e., regulation of mind, body and respiration; among which regulation of mind is the most important one.

Regulating the mind into a state of tranquillity is the most fundamental skill in qigong practice. Tranquillity is a state, in which one who is practicing qigong concentrates all his or her thought on the exercise with the mind empty of all distractions. Perception of external stimuli including sound and light is greatly reduced and gravity sensation of limbs and joints are lost. Expressed in modern medical terms, it is an inhibition state of the cerebral cortex. The inhibitory action restores to normal the disordered cerebrocortical function due to over excitation and suppresses the pathologic focus of excitation, creating favorable conditions for recovery of the health.The effect of qigong on neurasthenia, hypertension and peptic ulcer is probably related to the inhibitory protection, as these diseases are all due to nervous tension and disorders.

Regulation of the body, particularly the posture, is also important. Generally, qigong is practiced in a sitting, standing or lying form. In the sitting or lying form of practice, the oxygen content of the body is about 30% lower than before practice, and the metabolic rate is 20% lower than before the practice. The oxygen consumption and metabolic rate may be even lower than during a sound sleep. At the same time, the respiratory rate and minute ventilation are also reduced correspondingly.

That is to say, during the practice of qigong the metabolism is lowered which is beneficial for reducing consumption of vital energy, allowing it to re-accumulate. That is why qigong is effective for some chronic diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis and can strengthen the health in those with weak constitutions.

Respiration is a skill in qigong practice. The basic respiration is deep abdominal respiration. In some qigong exercises the abdomen is naturally extended during exhalation and retracts during inhalation, while in other qigong exercises the abdomen bulges during inhalation and retracts during exhalation. The respiration in either way promotes gastrointestinal peristalsis and improves digestion and absorption. Therefore, many people have an increased appetite and gain weight after qigong practice. Qigong has good results in the treatment of gastroptosis, chronic gastritis and chronic colitis. Qigong comprises both motion and stillness. Stillness keeps the body and higher nervous centers in a inhibitory state so that they have adequate rest to restore the normal function of the central nervous system. Motion excites the autonomic nervous system including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. During practice,

Qi should be descended to Dantian, or in other words, thought should be concentrated on the lower abdomen. This forms a focus of excitation in the nervous system of the lower abdomen, promoting the secretory function of the visceral a organs in the lower abdomen. The deep and prolonged respiration strengthens the movements of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, augmenting the portal circulation and also promoting the systemic and pulmonary circulation's. The practice of qigong increases the vital capacity, trains the heart and improves the metabolism. All these may be attributed to the therapeutic mechanism of qigong.

Therapeutic approaches with External Qi

A sick individual has weak electromagnetism and is sensitive to the external qi emitted by the qigong practitioner, which stimulates the patient' s ability to fight disease and restore health. The curative action of external qi can be explained in the following three respects:

External qi has a certain inhibitory or killing effect on bacteria in vitro.
External qi can enhance the immune function of the body, i.e. the body resistance.
External qi emitted by the qigong practitionerr consists of far infrared ray, near infrared ray, electromagnetic wave, microwave and infrasonic wave, which form a bioelectric field, serving as the basis of the external qi therapy.

The human being has an instinct of re-patterning itself. It has been proven now that Meridian bioelectricity has been found. In every part of the body there is bioelectricity of varying potential. If a lesion occurs in any part of the body, there is imbalance of the functions as well as imbalance of the bioelectricity, or in terms of traditional Chinese medicine, there is an imbalance between blood and qi. The external qi emitted by a qigong practitioner is also a kind of bioelectricity which regulates the meridian bioelectricity of the patient to restore the normal balance of bodily functions and balance and rid the diseases.

It should be noted that, although qigong has a curative effect, it is not a cure-all. It has its own indications and-contraindications, no matter whether one does exercises oneself or whether one is treated with external qi. There is no reason to reject medication and other therapeutic measures. In a word, the best way to restore health is a selection of different effective therapies for patients according to different constitutions, conditions and symptoms.

Millions of people are practicing qigong more than ever, even programs like Oprah I trying to promote andd captalize on it; because it is generally recognized that qigong is an ideal measure for promoting health.

Why is qigong taken as an ideal measure for strengthening the health? In antiquity there were no hospitals or medical doctors. How could the ancient people protect themselves from disease?

According to the archaeologists and historians' research and inference, at that time people paid attention to doing exercise, protecting themselves from the cold and disease by jumping, dancing, and meditative sitting, from which measures for maintaining the health, including qigong, were developed.

Practicing qigong does not need any particular condition or equipment. There is no limitation of sex, age or constitution. Qigong can be performed in any season and in all weather, indoors or outdoors. During practice, one can stand, sit, walk or lie down. Therefore, everybody can do it.

Qigong promotes the physical and intellectual development of children. It can develop their potentialities and facilitate the development of the brain and visceral organs. For adolescents, qigong regulates and balances their physiological reactions and impulsive adolescent psychology. It also promotes their learning ability. For adults, qigong can remove fatigue and raise working efficiency. It is worth noting that qigong has a very good effect on the fetus. When a couple practice qigong, they strengthen their body functions and mental condition, which helps the baby. For the aged, the effect of qigong is even more marked. Qigong can make the best use of the stored nutrients, better than taking tonics such as ginseng and pilose antler, and is effective for prolonging life. In a word, everyone can practice qigong bind benefit from it. Therefore, it is advisable for everyone to learn qigong.

Three "Biggy" Key Elements of Qigong

Qigong is a unique exercise for strengthening the health. Through conscious regulation of respiration and movements it relaxes the body and mind, and regulates the circulation of qi and blood, improves the metabolism and develops the potentialities of the body. Generally speaking, qigong is composed of three key elements, i.e., relaxation and tranquilization, direction of qi by the will and movement of the body. These three elements can be summarized as regulating the breath, the mind and the body.

1. Relaxation and Peace: While practicing qigong, the mind should be calmed. Peacefullness of the mind refers to eliminating nervousness and relaxing the whole body and mind in a quiescent, comfortable and peaceful state. Only when the mind and body are relaxed, can the nervous excitation be reduced and the antagonism between the extensors and flexors weakened, resulting in decrease of the pressure on the vascular wall and dilation of the blood vessels that facilitates the circulation of qi and blood. So, relaxation and peacefullness are the prerequisites for directing the flow of qi by the will. There are quite a few methods of relaxation and peacefullness. One of the common methods is respiration-counting, i.e., to concentrate the thought inward by counting one' s own respiration so that all the distractions from the outside will be eliminated and the tranquil state will soon ensue. Inward-looking is a method to calm the mind by closing the eyes and looking inward. Will -concentration is to induce peacefullness by directing the will on a certain part of the body and concentrating the thought on a spot.

2. Direction of qi by the will: This is the most fundamental exercise in qigong. First of all, the will or the flow of thought should be concentrated on a certain part of the body, such as Dantian or Yongquan (in the center of the sole of the foot). Only the concentrated will can promote the flow of qi. As soon as the body is relaxed and the relaxed is calmed, the will or the flow of thought should be concentrated. If peacefullness is immediately followed by concentration, a corresponding focus of excitation is produced in the cerebral cortex to protect against the attack of pathogenic factors. The more important thing is that through concentration of the will and direction of the flow of qi by the will a state of outer stillness and inner motion is formed, which promotes the self-regulation and self-control of the body and develops the potentialities of the body. This is the most important element of qigong exercise.

3. Movement of the body: This refers to adjustment of the posture during practice. Movement of the limbs can promote the flow of qi in the meridians and collateral's, helping the direction of the flow of qi by will. The principle of body movement is to adjust the body to the most comfortable posture, including the head, neck, waist, limbs, fingers and visceral organs. Body movement can be integrated with the thinking in images, causing further concentration of thought. During body movement, it is important to keep the respiration natural and smooth with fine, deep, even and soft inhalation and exhalation.

                                      Three Guidelines

Being relaxed, calm and natural are the three requirements for qigong

• Being relaxed: The whole body from the top to the toes should be relaxed without any tension from the very beginning of practicing qigong. The relaxation is so extensive that the body, joints, thinking, emotion, mental state and visceral organs should all be relaxed. Generally speaking, at the beginning it is not easy to achieve such a state of relaxation, but gradually complete relaxation is possible.

• Being calm: When practicing qigong the environment should also be quiet. Only when the emotions are calm will the brain become tranquil.

• Being natural: This refers to the posture, respiration, emotion and environment. All these should be natural. Points for Attention in Qigong Practice. Although there are various kinds of qigong, care must be taken about the following points no matter which kind of qigong is practiced:

• Qigong should be practiced sincerely. One must firmly believe that qigong is able to mobilize the internal energy and has the effect of preventing and treating disease and promoting the health. So, before the practice it is advisable to learn the theory and method of qigong as much as possible, and to be familiar with all the main points. Persistent practice leads to good results.

• All intense activities (either physical or mental) should be stopped 20 minutes before practice so as to relax the muscles all over the body and calm the mind. One must have ease of mind during practice. If there is anything unhappy, one must try to comfort oneself and to set the mind at rest. If the vexation cannot be removed, it is better to go outside to calm down and start the practice only after the emotions are calm.

• It is desirable to have a secluded place with trees, flowers and fresh air for practicing qigong, for example, a park, a forest or the edge of a lake. However, a quiet bedroom is also an ideal place. It should be noted that prevention from direct exposure to sunshine in summer and exposure to cold wind in winter is essential.

• The bladder and bowel should be emptied before practice. The clothes should be loosened to facilitate muscle relaxation, smooth breathing and circulation of qi and blood. If a lying position is adopted, it is better to take off the outer clothing.

• Practice can be scheduled according to the practitioners constitution, work or condition of illness. If qigong is practiced for therapeutic purposes, it may be performed 4- times a day, 1 hour each time, once before getting up and then after going to bed, and once or twice each in the morning and in the afternoon. If it is practiced for strengthening the health, once in the morning and in the evening for 1.5-2 hour is enough. Practice can be continued in the menstrual period, but too much effort should be avoided, and the mind should be concentrated on the epigastrium but not on the lower abdomen. However, for those with prolonged and excessive menstruation, the practice should be suspended.

• For beginners It Is usually difficult to be calm. if this occurs, there is nothing to worry about. One should not be upset or give up the practice. Peacefullness is an important factor for successful practice of qigong, so it should be mastered.

• When one becomes peaceful, some visual or auditory hallucination may occur. In addition, there may be a heavy feeling in the head and shoulders, swaying of the body, twitching of the muscles, hotness in the lower abdomen or throughout the body, or itching on the skin. If so, one should stay calm and not be disturbed by these reactions.

• During practice, it Is important to combine the motion with qi and the qi with the will, so that the will, qi and motion can be well integrated. This not only makes the action integral, graceful and comfortable, but also produces the best effect.

• When finishing practice, stand or sit up slowly with no aggresive movements. Open the eyes first, and then massage the head and face. Begin to move gradually.

• It is better to select different kinds of qigong exercises for persons with different constitutions and different diseases. However, the simplest exercises should be learned first. You can gain alifetime of benefits from Foundations, always take them to a deeper level.