What is Qigong?
Qigong 氣功
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Qigong or chi kung (氣功) is the Chinese philosophy and practice of aligning breath, physical activity and awareness for mental, spiritual and corporeal health, as well as the development of human potential. It includes aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese martial arts, Daoism and Buddhism and thus purportedly the spiritual awakening to one’s true nature.
Etymology
Qigong or Chi kung is an English form for two Chinese characters: Qi (氣) and gōng (功). Dictionary definitions of Qi (or chi) usually involve “breath”, “air”, “gas” and “vapor” but it can also be used when describing the relationship between matter, energy and spirit. Qi (often in the form chi, especially in the West) is also known as a focus point for energy in Chinese (and Chinese-influenced) martial arts such as kung fu, and often seen as an intrinsic life energy or vital force within living things. Definitions of the word gong (or kung) usually involve “force” or “power”, with success implications like “achievement” and “results”.
The two words are combined to describe systems and methods of cultivation and manipulation of this life energy, especially for health.
