Why Is Qigong So Vital in Shaolin Kung Fu

Why Is Qigong So Vital in Shaolin Kung Fu 

Why Is Qigong So Vital in Shaolin Kung Fu 

Why Is Qigong So Vital in Shaolin Kung Fu 

'Qi' the vital energy or 'life force' often trained, harnessed, and strengthened, the Chinese believe, via Qigong ('gong' means 'strong') literally 'strong-qi' exercises. There are two basic categories: Internal and External and balancing these two exercise dimensions brings optimum leads to Shaolin Kung Fu training. This frequently focuses first on external physical development. Higher levels of attainment, however, require internal energy training to make sure of balanced progress.

Wei Dan (external) Qigong improves skin and underlying muscle quality, reinforcing/enhancing key points on or near the body's surface. Nei Dan (internal) Qigong refreshes the brain and bone marrow strengthens the five major organs (lungs, kidneys, liver heart, and spleen), and builds internal muscle closer to the body's core. Both together contribute towards the acquisition of "Iron Shirt" with disciplined practice, guided by a professional Teacher, over a variety of years.

Whilst the West has neglected internal energy training and associated physical development, Chinese Martial Arts have long specialized and developed tremendous expertise Building external physical training programs upon this suggests more is eventually achieved.

In Shaolin Kung Fu progress toward higher grades must be intensified Qi awareness and qigong practice. This needs considering in terms of Yin-Yang Theory and therefore the famous tai chi T'u diagrams (sometimes referred to as the Taiji symbol) with two black and white 'fish' continuously circling one another.

The white 'fish' represents Yang the seen, the manifest, and therefore the solid and the human body (and its exterior muscle mass) visible within the gym mirror for instance. But instead of a be-all-and-end-all, this is often just a (very important) start line. The black 'fish' represents Yin the unseen, the unknown unmanifest void and therefore the invisible core and striated muscle (and there's more of this) and solid organs that flex and pulse continually, invisible to the eye within the body's interior. the standard and strength of those inner power sources are often significantly increased alongside the organs' ability/ capacity to act as reservoirs or batteries of Qi power.

Out of sight frequently means out of mind and therefore the West has conspicuously ignored this area perhaps due to the prevalence of superficial, materialist values. When Yin and Yang are in balance the individual may achieve optimum health and fitness. Knowing the way to harness and train these hidden, internal energies is significant to progress in Shaolin Kung Fu. Success during this strengthens the body and helps develop willpower essential for prolonged and arduous Kung Fu training-- by performing on these hidden areas the body's natural Yin-Yang balance is progressively re-established and optimum levels of health and fitness are obtained.

'Black' symbolizes the unseen, the interior, and therefore the unknown (alongside higher grades in Shaolin Kung Fu). Qigong is one of the main methods of self-discovery and learning about what's unseen, unknown, and internal with regard to ourselves. Qigong enables progress towards these higher levels of attainment in Shaolin Kung Fu, however, in unexpected ways you're typically unaware of beforehand (as encountering the 'unseen' and 'unknown' might suggest).

Patience and perseverance in practice is the key to long-term progress and insightful monitoring of your own performance levels. Identification of private performance improvement frequently comes via meditation and through the deepened self-awareness prolonged qigong practice brings about in due course.

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