Chi Harmony

Introducing Qi and Qigong

Qi (chi) is a Chinese term used to refer to all types of energy. Qi is the vital force behind all things in the universe. It is the medium between and within all material substances. We are all immersed in it. Qi is the foundation of our life.

Qigong is most often referred to as any set of exercises which are a combination of movement, breathing and mindwork – capable of improving health, preventing illness, strengthening the body and unlocking one’s potential abilities. Literally it means energy work and energy skill.

Qigong started when there were no religions. The ancients developed physical exercises by observing the behaviour of animals. Being close to nature they observed its patterns as well, as tuning into their own bodies helped them find techniques that produced beneficial results. Qigong has a written history of over 3,000 years. Many schools and styles appeared during this time.

Tiandi Qigong is a type of modern Qigong, having been influenced by Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Martial Arts and Chinese Medicine. My Qigong Master, Grand Master Zhao Shi Hua, and his masters picked the strong points of different types of Qigong in order to design a system suitable for modern people.

Tiandi means Heaven and Earth. If through Qigong we are able merge our body – the Small Universe, with the Large Universe out there – Heaven and Earth, we will achieve balance and good health.

On Self-Healing

Daily practice is an investment in your health. The more effort – the better the results!

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine – the causes of illnesses are due to an energetic imbalance within the body. We therefore need to balance and strengthen the Qi in the body through exercises.

Our body has a complex system of energy pathways, called meridians or channels. These connect to the organs internally and correspond to acupuncture points that are locations on the surface of the skin and which connect to the channels.

When the energy stagnates in a particular part of the body, blood circulation is not sufficient. This causes pain and other discomforts, often leading to chronic conditions. This is known as a Qi /energy blockage.

When the body is low on energy, the symptoms are those of constant fatigue, sleepiness, disinterest in life - and excess weight. We are not able to achieve much in any area of our life.       

One of the main principles is that we all are able to heal ourselves. Through meditation, breathing techniques and exercises we can achieve a state of relaxed, alert calmness called the Qigong State , whereby physical and mental relaxation is achieved. When this is done, we can learn how to direct energy to areas of weakness or low energy in our bodies by developing energy awareness - and this is how we heal ourselves. Qigong teaches that relaxation and calmness are always strongly related to the balanced functioning of our bodies.