History of Qigong

Qigong is the study and practice of cultivating life force through various techniques combining postures in movement, breathing, meditation and intention. Qi (Chi) means energy, breath and is considered the life force. Qi surrounds us and is the breath of life that flows in every cell of every living organism in the entire universe. Gong means work or effort and is the commitment that an individual puts into any practice that requires time, patience, and constant repetition to achieve mastery. Through the practice of this discipline, the individual will develop the ability to manipulate the Qi to promote self-healing, disease prevention and increase longevity.

The history of Qigong dates back more than 5000 years in China. This type of exercise has had many names over time such as; Xing-Qi (promote the circulation of Qi), Fu-Qi (collect Qi), Dao-Yin (guide the flow of energy), Tui-Na (inhale, exhale), Yang-Shen (nourish the spirit). In 1953 the term Qigong was widely adopted to define this type of exercise when Liu Gui-Zeng published the essay “Practice of Qigong Therapy”.

Qigong is thought to have emerged as a kind of healing dance. Through the observation of nature and the struggle for survival, the ancient sages gradually realized that certain body movements and different breathing techniques could help to readjust certain functions of our body.

Over the years these techniques were refined and improved. For the ancient Chinese sages, human existence was strongly linked to the universe, and they established very detailed relationships between the Cosmos and the human body. For example, the 5 internal organs correspond to the 5 elements.

The development of Qigong can be divided into 4 major periods:

1. Up to 206 BC. This period is marked by the Yi Jing (book of changes 1122 BC) , it was the first book where the term Qi or vital energy was introduced. With this book, people began to use the concept of the universe to explain the laws of nature, which basically consists of the integration of the three energies: Heaven, Earth and Human Being. The study of the relationship of the three energies was the first step in the development of Qigong. During the reign of the Zhou dynasty, the founder of Taoism Lao Tze (590 BC), wrote the book Tao de Jing where he compiled various breathing and movement techniques and laid the written foundations of this ancient practice. Interest in the knowledge of Qi increased in such a way that it became essential for the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong became one of the roots of Chinese medicine as well as the concepts of Yin and Yang and the 5 elements.

2. From 206 AC to 500 DC. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) Buddhism and different methods of meditation came from India, which led to the practice of Qigong and meditation on a more religious level. The monks took the practice of Qigong to a deeper level, working on the internal functions of the body to master and control the body, mind and spirit to escape the cycle of reincarnation when reaching enlightenment.

3. From 500 AD – 1911 AD. During the Liang Dynasty (502-557 AD) it was discovered that Qigong could be used for the practice of martial arts. Many different styles of Qigong were founded such as Taichi Nei Dan (internal Elixir) and Shaolin Wai Dan (external elixir). Later during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) other forms of Qigong from India, Japan and other countries were known in China and this exchange of knowledge improved communication between the countries.1911 AD – Present. During this period, doctors and Qigong masters have made great efforts to extend this method and popularize it to preserve and maintain health as well as a strategy to prevent disease. Scientists have studied Qigong in physiological and biochemical terms, and due to the remarkable benefits they have discovered, they have become interested in traditional Qigong methods. This has facilitated a boom in the teaching of these ancient techniques.
4. 1911 AD – Present. During this period, doctors and Qigong masters have made great efforts to extend this method and popularize it to preserve and maintain health as well as a strategy to prevent disease. Scientists have studied Qigong in physiological and biochemical terms, and due to the remarkable benefits they have discovered, they have become interested in traditional Qigong methods. This has facilitated a boom in the teaching of these ancient techniques.