Department of Qigong Questions & Answers

What is the difference between the Taoist and Buddhist Qigong?

And Taoist and Buddhist Qigong are classic Chinese Qigong School. From a historical point of view, Taoist Qigong originated before Buddhist, culminating in the later period. However, from the Ming, the tendency to their interpenetration and fusion. Many tsigunisty actually practiced techniques of both schools, because of assimilation came to China Buddhism Taoism and Confucianism. Interpenetration of three religious teachings led to the formation of philosophical and religious trinity. However, if all you talk about the differences between the Taoist and Buddhist Qigong, it should be noted that the two schools differ in emphasis.

Buddhist school differs in the increased attention to work with the mind, as evidenced by the small number of purely technical “regulations” techniques. For the Taoist school is more typical strict sequence of actions and their regularity.
Buddhist school techniques are meant to reach a certain energy level.
Representatives Taoist schools seek to improve the internal and external structures of human life, and therefore a great place in the methods of this direction is given by the circulation of qi energy channels, fixing the “thoughts” on the biologically active points and etc.
In the Buddhist school, especially in Zen Buddhism, the emphasis is on fast, abrupt changes, while Taoists – the gradual progress toward goals and gradual improvement.

Taoist and Buddhist Qigong – a complex phenomenon in form and content, so the above differences are, in a sense, their relative and not absolute.

Why the different methods of Qigong are conflicting requirements “to seize the land of his toes” and “spread your toes?” Which of the requirements right?

In order to determine the correctness of the requirements of a technique, one must consider two things: first, how to put forward this demand, whether it is justified from the point of view of the theory and, second, in which cases it is necessary to follow this requirement as it universal. As for the claim “land grab your toes,” that it has two important points. The first is that the “three foot yin meridians” and “three-foot-yang meridians” end in the feet and therefore the position and movement of the fingers have a certain influence on the circulation in them qi and blood. The second point is that next to the fingers, on the sole, there are points of Yung-chuan, who play an important role in the interaction of the upper and lower body. Now you can easily identify the purpose of the requirements of “land grab your toes.” This has served as a unique “fur”, stimulating current qi and blood, and in combination with certain movements of the arms and hands, it can cause the effect of “resonance” energy channels throughout the body. Requirement “to straighten the toes” is intended to reveal the terms yuntsyuan and improve their contact with the ground, thereby gaining “earth Qi”, and aims to liberate your feet and make them more flexible and pliable. Therefore, the requirement of “land grabbing his toes” is more common in “standing post” and other static exercises. In dynamic exercise is mainly required “relaxing your toes.”

What is the difference daoin from the gym? How to correctly perform daoin?

Daoin – a kind of exercise in Qigong, is a “complex movement,” in which special attention is paid to the state of “unity of body and soul.” In gymnastics as each exercise pursues any one target and focused on quantitative indicators. In daoin body movements and “thought” permeated “softness” and “flat”. Gymnastic exercises are based on the “hardness” of force, motion differ “angularity”. But the most important difference is that daoin aimed at “strengthening the internal”, “spirit” directed inward, “the movement of qi” is inside, achieved an “internal” result, and gymnastic exercises are aimed at “strengthening the external,” the motion they are directed outside, the “spirit” comes out freely, the muscles, tendons and bones are strained. In order to properly learn the technique daoin, to learn:

Coordinate the movement of “thought” and body movements to achieve their inseparability;
Move in space freely and smoothly, relaxed, relaxed;
Maximize coordination of breath and movement;
Do not forget the run-time movements of the need to maintain the “inner balance.”

Which means “emptiness in my heart, fullness in the stomach?”

This concept has a double meaning. In the first sense, it means “a state of rational equilibrium”, occurring after a relaxing body when Qi is concentrated in the Tan Tien, neck and back straight, breasts removed and not tense, “thought” is free, natural, and focuses on the Tan Tien. The second meaning of this term describes one of the states, “The Art of the pill” when fire and water “support” each other “from the inside of the void”, so a “void in the heart” denotes a trigram, “in Cagnes in fullness”, so “fullness in the abdomen” denotes trigram Kan. Thus denotes a state of harmony between fire and water, which contributes to heart connection with the kidneys, the birth of the body “true Qi” orderly alternation of yin and yang meridians of Ren and May, which, in turn, leads to the passage of chi through the “gates” , discovery of biologically active points, filling the Tan Tien. The main condition for achieving the state of “emptiness in the heart of fullness in the stomach” – “peace of mind”, the lack of any kind was willpower.

How to distinguish a “resting state” of drowsiness?

During Qigong practice you can immerse yourself in the “resting state”, but you can fall into a dreamy state. Physiological reasons for the first and second are not the same and should be clearly distinguished. The “rest” in the cerebral cortex are specific qigong processes. In this state, the dominant role in the subjective consciousness is center positive emotions, and other emotions are stressed, which leads to the ordering of the brain. A drowsy state corresponds to the transition of the brain from wakefulness to sleep, characterized by suppression of the entire cerebral cortex.

“The state of rest” match manifestations such as a clear head, no extraneous thoughts, poor response to external stimuli. After the class there is a pleasant sensation throughout the body, there is a burst of energy. Signs of drowsiness are usually heavy head, periodic enlightenment and confusion, fragmentary dreams, unexpected awakening. After class there is a psychological fatigue, body aches and exhaustion.

What is the “pioneering spirit”?

“Pioneering spirit” (yuan shen) – The term and concept of “The Art of the pill,” it would play the main role in human life. In essence this term refers to the regulatory function of the brain (mainly its bark). The ancient masters’ art inside pill “considered him the physiological basis of mental activity of the brain.

In the classic work on the concept of qigong in the following terms:

“Emptiness creates nature, called the original spirit,” “What is called the spirit of the original? What inner thoughts can not grasp, and thinking about the outside, do not comprehend, is that self-control and of itself, is called the spirit of the original,” “Primal Spirit – lord in your heart, “” the original spirit is nature, which manages seed and qi, “” Monk of Southern source said: “The original spirit – is not giving a true sense of understanding.”

Why, doing qigong exercises and must combine a holiday?

Catching qigong, it is important to combine employment with reasonable rest, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases. The first step is to choose simple techniques to promote overall relaxation. Feeling tired, finish the exercise. Should not be extended by the duration of the occupation violence against him.Beginners should practice Qigong good to learn that the inability to choose the optimal duration of employment, the neglect of the principle of combining work and recreation not only prevents the restoration of health, but cause a negative attitude to the very exercises.

What is meant by “a belly breathing”?

“Uterine breath” in Qigong is one of the ways of breathing high when the respiratory rate is dramatically reduced. Do masters of high class, it can be reduced to 1 – 2 times per minute. Its name, this method was because like breathing fetus in the womb.

The emergence of “uterine breathing” is only possible at the highest stage of mastering qigong, it is formed naturally and can not be achieved through willpower. “Uterine breath” is very effective for the accumulation of the “seed”, Qi and “spirit,” “nurturing primordial qi” in the treatment of a variety of ailments and has been one of the main ways to “cultivate the original chi” in ancient qigong masters.

Why during Qigong practice in the limbs sometimes get the feeling of the cold?

This feeling usually occurs in those people who have the limbs and in the normal state are cold. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that they have insufficient blood circulation in intensive extreme end portion of the body. For such people are usually characterized by excessive sweating, which manifests itself in moist hands and feet. This happens because the body to maintain optimal heat balance and maintain the required amount of heat reacts reduction of blood vessels in the extremities, which reduces blood flow.

People with cold extremities recommended before Qigong practice to hold a light warm-up to full body warm up, but not sweating. During exercise you should not adhere to a given motion can be from time to time to maintain a feeling of warmth in a particular part of the body to perform warm-up movement. To prevent colds in the winter novice should do in a warm room.

What methodology helps eliminate aches of rheumatism?

Rheumatism to reduce pain and recommend the so-called “method of treatment of rheumatism.”

Lie on your back, put your head on a low pillow, arms and legs should be naturally extended. Follow the flexor and extensor movements toes, accompanying them with a thin deep breathing breaths. Perform 7 times.
Hold the fingers of his right foot to the heel of the left foot. Perform seven swinging both feet first to the left, and then 7 swinging to the right.
Keep your knees together and bend them slightly. Spread the legs apart as far as possible, and then begin to breathe deeply and thrills (through your mouth, exhale nose), vibrating the lower abdomen. Perform 7 times in a row.
Take a semi-sitting position. First, the right hand on the left heel and put it on his right knee. Perform seven deep breaths. Then the left hand on the right heel and place it on the left knee. Perform seven deep breaths.
Lie on your back, place your hands over the top, and clasped his hands, start them with the power to stretch. Pull on inspiration, as you exhale relax. Perform 7 times.

In addition, we can recommend techniques such as the “six key characters” and “washing of the bone marrow.” In everyday life and in the classroom is necessary to avoid the wind and cold, and in any case not pour cold water.

Why after “standing post” aching legs? As you can relax your muscles?

If during the “standing post” not in conformity with the general relaxation, and therefore to have his feet shackled whole weight of the body, the legs eventually get the feeling of aching and strained muscles, and sometimes there and trembling all over.

The reason for this condition lies in the fact that in carrying out the exercise, dealing moves the center of gravity back and undue concentration. If you have not mastered the proper degree “work of thought,” it is possible to concentrate the first “thought” on the points yuntsyuan that allows you to send all over the body down “dirty qi” evenly dispersed through the holes in the center of the feet. If during the “standing alone” can not make sense of passing through the points yuntsyuan thoughts, you can send the “inner chi” from the point bayhuey on top in terms yuntsyuan hand movements, followed by a “movement of thought.”This technique greatly facilitates the flow control “internal Qi”, leads to feelings of comfort and rest, which is typical in normal circulating! T qi and blood throughout the body. Legs as if covered by a cover of qi, prevents the feeling of heaviness.

At the initial stage, when there will get the hang of relaxation legs after exercise can be folded palms cupped perform pat on the legs down so that the palms covered feet in the direction of qi. Moment of impact must be the same mental picture of how stagnant qi in the legs scattered in different directions.

What are the treatment of neurasthenia?

Neurasthenia most often occurs in the middle and early especially in people who are not involved in sports and related mental labor. The cause of the disease is fatigue occurring as a result of overly intense nervous activity. The most common symptoms of neurasthenia are headache, dizziness, buzzing in the ears, community vision, forgetfulness, anxiety, insomnia, frequent dreams. Suffering from neurasthenia recommended exercise, Tai Chi or Qigong.

During class Taijiquan should pay special attention to getting rid of extraneous thoughts to combining static and dynamic exercises, all the “spirit” to sink into motion. As a result, part of the cortex of the brain responsible for movement, there is excitement and activity of the remaining sections of gradually slows down, and they get a good rest. Regular classes, so will help restore and improve brain function.

Qigong practice by relaxing and sinking to rest as a means of streamlining the cerebral cortex also contribute to proper rest the body and the nervous system.

Elation and improve mood neurasthenia patients also contribute to daily exercise. After them are headaches, normal sleep.

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