The essential theory behind Health Qigong is to unify body movements, rhythms of breathing and Chinese medical principles to exercise and regulate one’s body (調身), breath (調息), and mind (調心). It is aimed at strengthening and maintaining one's body: not only through building its muscles, but also by paying attention to the tendons, internal organs,and the general flow of “qi” through the main meridians.
There are nine forms in the Health Qigong practice that are beneficial individually but altogether pave a holistic way to achieving physical fitness.
(易筋經) Yi Jin Jing (Tendon-Muscle Strengthening Exercises)
Yi Jin Jing, in which the word “Jin” means tendon, is a form that focuses on movements which simultaneously stretch the tendons and open up various acupoints along the 12 meridians of the body based on Chinese medical theories.
(八段錦) Ba Duan Jin (8 Pieces of Silk)Ba Duan Jin is considered the most fundamental of the Health Qigong forms. It combines constant rotation of joints with contracting and expanding motions of the body to improve agility, strengthen the lower body and dredge the meridian system. |
(六字訣) Liu Zi Jie (The Six Healing Sounds)Liu Zi Jue uses principles of resonance in certain vibrations and frequencies emitted from one’s voice to massage the internal organs.
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(五禽戏) Wu Qin Xi (Five Animals) Wu Qin Xi is generated from the forms of five animals: lion, crane, deer, bear, and gibbon. It challenges the human body and mind to adjust to postures, motions, and tones found in the animal world.
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(導引養生功十二法) Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shi Er Fa (Mind Leading Qi) 12 routines from Daoyin tradition of guiding and pulling qi.
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(十二段錦) Shi Er Duan Jin (Twelve Pieces of Silk) Seated exercises to strengthen the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.
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(馬王堆導引术) Ma Wang Dui Dao Yi Shu (Guiding Qi) Guiding Qi along the meridians with synchronous movement and awareness.
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(大舞) Da Wu (Big Dance) Choreographed exercises to lubricate joints and guide Qi.
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(太極養生杖) Tai Ji Yang Sheng Zhang (Tai Chi Rod for Wellbeing) A Taiji (Tai Chi) form from the staff tradition.
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