Feb 6, 2010, 12.00am IST
SENSEI SANDEEP DESAI.
Every morning, multitudes of Chinese gather in parks and practise Ch’i Kung, pronounced ‘chee gung’, which literally means ‘energy work’.
Ch’i Kung is about cultivating an expanded awareness. It helps your mind gain control over the movement of the life force. It is the practice of learning how to concentrate, circulate and focus on ch’i. It is considered to be the granddaddy of many internal and mindful arts, including T’ai Chi.
Many have at least heard of T’ai Chi but not Ch’i Kung, which is an older form of exercise. Taoist Ch’i Kung, believed to be the progenitor of all the different forms of Ch’i Kung and T’ai Chi, was created by meditation adepts 3,000 years ago. It was created through deep insight about how the body’s energy flows. Through inner awareness, they gained an understanding of energy channels, points, and the intricate relationship between internal energy systems of the body and its tissues.
Feng Shui – literally ‘wind-water’ – takes ch’i into account as it explores how the energies of the earth, sun, sky, landscape, colour, and time affect people, animals, and possible events. This promotes harmony and helps overcome, or at times prevent, natural and manmade disasters.
Ch’i Kung incorporates many ancient Chinese techniques for escalating the flow of life-energy in a series of dynamic postures or forms that flow from one into the other. The practice includes standing meditations, self-massage from standing or seated positions, and breathing exercises. Although physical movements may be utilised, Ch’i Kung practice can also be still.
In Ch’i Kung, there are three basics: smooth, even, silent breathing, total utilisation of effort but without creating internal strain, and performing soft, fluid, circular movements with a sense of ease and comfort.
Its peaceful and ch’i-stimulating nature complements any T’ai Chi practice. The effects you experience from the practice of Ch’i Kung are very different from those of T’ai Chi, but both are interconnected. Some say that T’ai Chi itself is a complex form of Ch’i Kung. However, others believe that they are separate and distinct mindful arts.
From improved physical health to greater mental clarity and spiritual awakening, increased life-energy can be felt in a wide variety of ways. Regular practice of these exercises will lead to a body and mind that are functionally younger, so that life becomes a joy and not a burden.
The best way to cultivate ch’i for health is to put the mind inside the body and make it conscious of the way the ch’i naturally flows and then change your internal environment to maximise that flow. For example, while practising either T'ai Chi or Ch’i Kung, become conscious of the gross and subtle movements of energy and also blockages if there are any. Then, let go, and the softness and relaxation frees up the energy hose.
Whether providing robust physical health, emotional well-being or peace of mind, Ch’i Kung enriches your life in surprising ways. The result? You feel healthier and happier.
To help us endure the strain of living up to a number of commitments, the need for something energising and revitalising such as Ch’i Kung exercises is felt today even more acutely than before.
(The writer is the author of ‘The Small Book of T’ai Chi’)
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