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Chi-Neng™ Qigong – A Health Practice for the 21st Century
by Jeremy Leach
Short Summary Issue 92 September 2003
Jeremy Leach relates his experience of the profound practice of Chi-Neng Qigong – the mind/body practice that can improve health, promote mental and emotional well-being and promises to further our understanding of the human life sciences. It is a relatively new form of Qigong, with excellent medical benefits to those who persevere in its practice.
Qigong is the art of using and controlling energy – 'qi' means life energy and 'gong' means work or sustained effort. During the 70s and 80s a reform of traditional Qigongs took place as a result of its increasing popularity. Dr Pang Ming, a Grandmaster, developed Zhineng (Chi-Neng) Qigong, which is now considered to be one of the safest and most effective forms. Dr Pang used this form of Qigong to help people with a wide range of medical traditions, some of whom had been deemed incurable – this form achieved an effective healing rate of 95%.
Zhineng Qigong differs from other Qigongs in a number of ways. Rather than using the mind to guide qi, the practitioner visualizes the universe, then visualizes the body, allowing qi to laterally permeate the whole body structure, linking the internal with the external. The notion of the qi-field – a phenomenon that has influence both locally and non-locally – is a fundamental component of Zhineng Qigong.
The author discovered Zhineng Qigong on a website, while searching for alternative approaches to treat digestive problems. He describes his experiences of learning Zhineng Qigong, from early practice, feelings and sensations, to his attendance of workshops and retreats. Jeremy highlights the benefit of using audio accompaniment in the form of synchronized 'talk-throughs' of the forms. This allows the body to learn the rhythm of the form as well as the movements. He also presents a case study of a woman who used this form of Qigong as a complement to her treatment for breast cancer. She made a near full recovery.
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