Chi Kung is the practice of using breath, awareness, and physical activity to achieve a better health in the physical, spiritual, and mental areas of life. It is also widely used to develop and maximize the potential abilities of individuals and to spiritually awaken the “true” nature of one’s own being. It was first developed and used in China thus it incorporates many of the characteristics of Chinese martial arts.
The principle used in the practice of Chi Kung is the manipulation and the control of the “Chi” (or qi). This is the term used to represent energy. In other cultures, this concept of energy is known as “Mana” (Hawaiian culture), “Lung” (Tibetan Buddhism), “vital energy” (western philosophy), and “Prana” (Vedantic philosophy).
The practice of Chi Kung usually consists of several types of training. The details usually have minor differences between different teachers or schools. They may also differ depending on the goal or goals set by the practitioners themselves. The general principle however, always remains the same. The different types of training available in Chi Kung are: (1) dynamic Chi Kung, (2) static Chi Kung, (3) meditative Chi Kung, and (4) Chi Kung used with external aids.
Dynamic Chi Kung is easily recognizable as a series of movements that are carefully choreographed to promote, control, and manipulate the movement of Chi in the body of the practitioner. An example of this type of Chi Kung is the Chinese martial art known as the T’ai Chi Chuan. Another example of dynamic Chi Kung is the “five animal frolics” Chi Kung. This type of Chi Kung allows the practitioners to mimic the movements of animals.
Static Chi Kung is executed by maintaining a specific pose, posture, stance, or position for a certain period of time. This type of Chi Kung is very much similar to the system of Yoga that is based on the culture of Buddhism. It emphasizes that a lot of physical and mental effort is needed to maintain the postures involved in this practice. This effort then results in the manipulation of the Chi within the practitioner’s body.
Meditative Chi Kung involves, as its name points out, meditation. This type of Chi Kung is further divided into more specific practices depending on the origin of the Chi Kung practice that is being used. One of these practices is based on the Confucian tradition. The meditation here is focused on both virtue and humanity with the ultimate goal of attaining self-enlightenment. In the meditative Chi Kung based on Buddhist tradition, the focus is more on calming the mind. This is achieved by meditating on an outward object such as an area or a location, an inward object such as one’s breath, or an idea such as that represented by the Buddha. In Daoist Tradition, meditative Chi Kung aims to lead the Chi within the practitioner’s body through the appropriate pathways in order to achieve a continuous and complete flow of the Chi.
The practice of Chi Kung sometimes uses external aids such as special food or special drinks to achieve the proper manipulation of Chi.
