Qigong
An ancient art can be useful for maintaining general health in a modern, complex world
BY ROBERT FOX STAFF WRITER RFOX@LAWTON-CONSTITUTION.COM
Zhong Yuan Qigong is a healing and self-development system that dates back more than 7,000 years. Zhong Yuan Qigong (often shortened to ZY Qigong or just Qigong, pronounced chee-gong) is a simple meditation-based energy practice that combines gentle movement, breath and mindful awareness to activate, store and focus energy or Qi, according to www.zyqigongbc.ca. Qi energy can be utilized immediately for self-healing and healing others. Claire GuYu Johnson, who was invited to teach workshops in Lawton and Oklahoma City, said students of Qigong use the art for general health or even curing specific conditions. It can also be used for spiritual development or martial arts. “There are many different aims for thousands of styles of Qigong,” she said. Johnson and www.zyqigongbc.ca said Qigong forms the foundation of related arts such as Chinese herbal medicine (TCM), Fengshui, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chinese martial arts and Tai Chi. For example, where Yoga is more of a stretch and Qigong is flowing, they are similar in that both are meditation forms, Johnson said. “As you progress to the next level, both move to deeper meditation and inner-seeing exercises,” she said. The first lessons will include some movement and some meditation exercises. The movements are about more breathing, more relaxation and more contemplation. The experience will be different for each person. Some will see energy; some will experience deep relaxation . “Everyone comes out of these weekends feeling energy and anatomies activated,” she said. “As long as people don’t think the whole time, things will happen,” she said. “Even if they blank out for just a few seconds, something will happen.” Johnson started studying Qigong with her parents when she was young. She eventually went on to study other martial arts and went to college. In 1998 she returned to studying ZY Qigong as an apprentice to Grandmaster Ming Tang Xu who is the lineage holder for Zhong Yuan Qigong. “I was having some physical, emotional and mental problems,” she said. Doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of the problems and were unable to help her. Johnson said unlike martial arts or other meditation forms, Qigong is intended to be done for any length of time, in any clothes, and with no special accessories or equipment. “This easy practice can be used by any city dweller with limited space and with no tools,” she said. Johnson said Qigong is a “very natural practice” that stems from Taoists. The Taoists would use the body’s spirit and energy (Qi or Chi) to diagnose and treat patients. “Energy or chi is like wind. We can talk about it, but we can only see its effect,” she said. “Energy is something that must be felt.