What is Qigong and How Does it Work?

Certain things we do provide us with more energy than it takes to do them. Eating. Sleeping. Breathing. Qigong is another method.

Living in our bodies is like living in a big dog. In our waking lives we are always telling our dog to “Sit!” “Stay!” “Fetch!” or ”Drop it!” It’s only when we are in deep sleep that our big dog is allowed to be free. We receive great healing during sleep. Learning to do Qigong is like learning to take the leash and collar off our dog and let this healing occur while we are awake.

Our body is a very smart dog. We are a trillion cells. Our big dog has the intelligence to run them, and every other aspect of our bodies. Our body is also made of atoms. The Earth we stand on is atoms. The air we breathe is atoms. The Qi field we live in is atoms. Somewhere between a trillion cells and atoms our knowledge ends. Qigong is a way of connecting to and utilizing things we can’t understand with our rational minds.

Another way to think of it is--all the experiences of a lifetime bring us to this moment. To the way we inhabit our bodies. To the state of tension it takes for us to be us. Over time, Qigong can reduce that amount of tension. We can grow into being more comfortable.

This happens slowly, the way our hair grows, or the way we age. So while it’s hard to see day-to-day, it can be seen over time. We might get sick less. Have a chronic problem disappear. Notice we are sleeping less and still feel okay.

To cultivate Qi we'll use both stillness and visualization. To circulate Qi we’ll practice the Eight Treasures, the I-Chun Jing, different standing postures associated with I-Chuan and various Tai Chi movements.

Thank you.

With gratitude,

Mark McKenna

December 9, 2009

Portland, Oregon