Shaolin Qi Gong
- Meditation in motion -
Qi Gong goes back a long way in human history. Chinese lore suggests that it was developed around 3000-5000 years ago.
Qi = life force / Gong = work
Qi Gong is ONE PART in Chinese medicine (in addition to acupuncture, nutrition and medicinal herbs) to rebalance mental and spiritual imbalances so that health arises.
In Chinese philosophy, life consists of apparent opposites called YIN and YAN (different and yet inseparable)
- Male / female principles sun / moon night / day tension / relaxation
To unite these 'apparent opposites', to create a bridge (or connection) between one and the other, are the central themes of Qi Gong.
Through the special exercises, the tensions and blockages that arise between these apparent opposites are constantly balanced - physically and mentally. Body and mind are closely related and one affects the other!
In TCM, all functions and structures of our body are assigned to yin and yang. Yin in the body nourishes the organs and tissues, calms and cools. Yang stimulates, activates and warms the organ function. The balance between Yin and Yang in people and in life means harmony and thus health. Too much yin (rest) exhausts the power of resistance, too much yang (activity) exhausts us.
In Qi Gong, opposites such as movement and rest, opening and closing, tension and relaxation, contraction and expansion, high and low play an important role. With these functions we create a harmonious interaction.
The exercises in Qi Gong are deliberately round and flowing. The breath is deliberately calm and even (deep abdominal breathing).
Mein Lehrer, der Shaolin Mönch Shi Xinggui
He lived for many years (from the age of 8) in the Shaolin monastery in China and was introduced to the teachings of Buddhism, martial arts (Kung Fu), self-defense and Qi Gong. The Shaolin Monastery is known as the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu. Originally this temple was a teaching center for Buddhism. As in many other monasteries, Indian monks lived here too. For example, at the beginning of the 6th century AD, the monk Bodhiruchi, who translated the Indian scriptures into Chinese, and a few years later also Bodhidharma, who according to legend is said to have meditated for nine years.
The energy system: Meridians as energy conduits in the body The meridians spread over the whole human body. They are the conduits for the transport of life energy. Due to various circumstances (excessive demands, anger, worries, etc.), the flow of energy in humans is often disturbed and blockages form (so-called energy jams). This results in a severe imbalance in the body. This imbalance in turn leads to malaise, illness and total loss of energy (exhaustion / burnout).
With the help of regular Qi Gong we can influence the Qi (life energy) and direct it back into 'the right direction'. However, this requires regular 'work' in that we PRACTICE regularly.
Qi Gong has a balancing effect on our energy system (body - mind - soul) the ability to concentrate is increased, we become more relaxed in dealing with stress, anger and other everyday challenges.
The 3 main energy stores (called Dantian) are
Lower Dantian Jing most important energy storage EARTH middle Dantian Qi supply of the whole mechanism CONNECTION Upper Dantian Shen highest and finest form of vibration HEAVEN
The lower dantian (2-3 fingers wide below the navel) is our most important Qi / energy store. It is important to keep directing your concentration there in order to store the energy there. It also has a stabilizing and grounding effect.
In the middle dantian the supply of the whole organism with the life force Qi is regulated. It lies in the middle of the chest, has a connecting and nourishing effect.
The upper dantian is the highest, finest form of vibration in humans. It sits behind the point between the eyebrows and is also known as the celestial eye, but its circumference encompasses the entire head. The Chinese term for the energetic center of the head is Bai Hui, which means “compass of life”.
Extract from the kl. Book by Shi Xinggui: We are involved in an eternal, constantly renewing energy cycle. Through our feet and our tailbone we take in the cosmic energy absorbed through the earth and transform it in our lower dantian into jing, the essence. If the Jing is strengthened through exercises like Qi Gong, it changes into Qi in the middle Dantian. From there it can be transformed into the Shen of the upper Dantian. The Shen then finds its way back to the original energy and unites with it. The whole system of our body, its meridians and the energetic connections is extremely complex and can hardly be understood by the mind. And it doesn't even need to be. When we practice Qi Gong, it is best to leave our minds behind and go into direct experience of our body. We trust that through the exercises we will find a balance of body, mind and soul in a concentrated, easy and playful way.
We focus on EARTH and HEAVEN (firm below - light above) while making slow, round, flowing movements. This is how the energy flows again, which brings about EQUALIZATION.
Calmness and more energy in everyday life are the result of regular practice!
