One of the most powerful ways for nourishing longevity and staying young is by performing Qi gong. But how does it work?
Qi Gong Enhances Suppleness and Internal Strength
Qi Gong is very different from conventional western exercises because it trains the body’s energy to revitalize internal organs to extend youthful appearance and bring about balanced health.
For example, in Chinese medicine, the spleen organ system is believed to govern the muscles of the body. Some movements in qi gong activate the spleen organ and its related energy channels. So, when you perform movements that are designed to target the spleen, the muscles become rejuvenated which then prevents wrinkles (especially the facial muscles) and makes the skin supple.
Since qi gong also involves deep breathing exercises, higher levels of oxygen go into the bloodstream to help reinvigorate the internal organs on a cellular level.
Finally, energetically speaking, it is believed that our jing or essential energy is responsible for our youthfulness and is housed in the kidney organ system. The energy of kidneys is nourished by the movements. This is the reason several masters of qi gong possess strong kidneys and they often appear to be untouched by time.
Qi Gong Produces Brain Cells that are Young
At the University of California at Irvine, scientists have observed that a greater perfusion of blood occurs inside the brain when chi is emitted by qi gong masters.
The brain cells are well-nourished by the greater perfusion of blood that could prevent the rise of mental and cognitive conditions related to aging such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. So, when a person performs qi gong, he is helping his mind and brain stay vibrant and young.
Qi Gong Hinders Factors that Cause your body to Age Prematurely
Besides promoting greater states of relaxation, Qi gong prevents the rise of heath conditions that are related to stress such as high blood pressure, premature graying, and some forms of immunity imbalances. These issues develop less in people practicing qi gong.
Qi Gong Resolves and Manages Factors that Age the Body
Circle walking Qi gong exercises works extremely well as a healing tool for people suffering from cancer which is a major contributor in premature aging and degeneration of cells. Dr Arnold Tayam, head teacher at Stanford University’s qi gong program, has utilized a unique type of qi gong circle walking to encourage rejuvenation and greater states of relaxation and to help promote greater healing in patients with cancer.
Qi Gong Nourishes the Body and the Spirit
Qi Gong expedites a relationship with a higher power through and meditation.
Dr. David Felton, immunologist at the University of California conducted a study that proved spiritual practices strengthened the immune system.
As a spiritual practice, qi gong can therefore play a role in keeping the immunity system in balance to ward off diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis which is commonly related to aging although juvenile forms can also arise.
Qi Gong Generates Youthful Bones
There are a couple of ways Qi gong nourishes the bones. First, it reinforces the internal organ of the kidneys, which in the Chinese medicine system is believed to govern the bones. Because of this, bones are likely to heal quicker and are better protected against osteoporosis and degeneration. Qi Gong also reinforces by generating movements that have an isometric strengthening affect on fascia and bones.
In a case study of a 74 year old female patient who performed her qi gong exercises daily, following ankle surgery, she was able to have her cast removed two weeks ahead of schedule because her bones healed much quicker. Compare that to a patient half her age with the same problem who was not into qi gong exercise. This patient took two months longer for her injury to mend.
In conclusion, qi gong can extend longevity and bring about greater states of youthfulness by nourishing the skeletal and muscular systems and internal organs of the body, and by promoting higher spiritual and mental balance.
Amy-Sui Qun Lui is a licensed acupuncturist in Cleveland, OH and the founder of Asian Health Center.