It’s generally well known that we all need to do plenty of exercise for our overall physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. We’ve posted so far about walking and dancing as alternative ways to be more physically active for those of us who don’t suit going to the gym or taking part in a competitive sport.
In this post we’re going to look at something completely different – Qigong, which is one of the oldest forms of exercise in Chinese history.
You might know about Tai Chi, but it’s likely that you haven’t heard of Qigong, despite being one of the most popular exercises in the world today, practised by tens of thousands of people. Qigong, also known as ‘Chi Kung’ or ‘Chi Gong’, dates back more than a thousand years, and although its health benefits are quite similar to Tai Chi, Qigong is easier to learn and suitable for a wider variety of people.
So what is Qigong?
Qigong combines quiet meditation, controlled breathing and gentle movements, so it’s perfect for the body and our mental health. Just like Tai Chi, Qigong is a mind and body workout, offering a practical, effective and long-term solution to the stress of modern living, despite its ancient roots. Qigong is refreshing for the mind, energising for the body, plus it’s relaxing and uplifting all at the same time.
One of the main attractions of Qigong is that it is easy to learn, and can be adapted to suit people’s different abilities, no matter their fitness level or age – Qigong can be performed walking, standing, sitting or even lying down.
Many people find that Qigong helps them increase their wellbeing, combat stress and tension, and improve their health in many ways, including balance, strength, concentration, memory and flexibility. Qigong also helps improve balance and posture and can be an effective exercise for falls prevention for mature people as well as improving inner core strength for the young.
Want to give it a go?
If you fancy giving Qigong a go, you can find a list of classes near you on the British Health Quigong Association website. There are quite a few taking place in Telford and Wrekin.