Qigong vs Physical exercise

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Qigong vs Physical exercise

Postby dmattwads » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:55 am

Ok I have yet another question here. I have been doing qigong as well as karate. In karate not only do I throw kicks and punches on the heavy bag which in and of itself is a good work out, but also do push ups, sit ups, crunches, pull ups, run sometimes, ect.... . For about a month now though due to a cold, the holidays, and general laziness, I have not really done any karate, but have still done qigong. What I have noticed is that my arms and legs seem to have gotten a little skinnier and my torso seems a little softer which brings me to my question.
Is qigong meant to be a stand alone, or just a part of a larger health program? Can you do only qigong and be healthy, or is it just a piece of the pie? On the other hand I have noticed that when I do karate and or other physical exercises that I tend to be more "yang", which I don't really like either. I would appreciate any input as there are a lot of martial artists and qigong practitioners on here.
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Postby joeblast » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:04 am

the softness may be just a likely due to illness as it is stopping karate. you'll develop what you focus on; karate will focus on muscles more than qigong would. moving qigong focuses more on connective tissue, more fundamental things than muscle. any breathwork will have the internal component to it to a certain extent depending on the breathing methods employed.

so...its just a matter of what are you training to do when considering what your exercises will be. but holidays, sickness, no karate...you've got your answer right there!
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Qigong as a Stand Alone Exercise

Postby kudzu28 » Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:48 pm

But still, can qigong be a stand-along exercise?

I used to walk every day, but I've been doing just qigong every day for about 10 months and I feel great. I also wonder if this should be just a piece of the pie. It seems too good to be true. I stopped walking due to a bone spur on the bottom of my foot, and swelling in my right knee, so if qigong can be a stand-alone exercise to keep me healthy, that would be great. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I know that I have to do something physical everyday - use it or lose it, so to speak.
:)
I always appreciate the wisdom I receive here, and thanks in advance for your responses.

Holly Schmidt
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Postby yeniseri » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:53 pm

Qigong can never a stand alone exercise!

The sedentary nature of modern society causes many of its chronic
problems (NIDDM, hypertsnsion, arthritis and other autoimmune disorders)
Natural movement(s) as in walking, bending, reaching, etc have all but disappeared and this shows up in neuromuscular problems. Though not severe in its primary stage, it can blossom into more serious conditions.

Taijiquan, as part of yangshengong or neigong, can be a great add on routine done!
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Postby Dvivid » Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:40 am

Actually, everyone has different fitness goals.

Some qigong is more 'cardio' than others.

You could practice the Five Animal Sports Qigong and get a serious workout and meet your fitness goals I think.
"Avoid Prejudice, Be Objective in Your Judgement, Be Scientific, Be Logical and Make Sense, Do Not Ignore Prior Experience." - Dr. Yang

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Postby joeblast » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:25 pm

All methods are to eventually be dropped - but until such time, best to use as many tools as necessary to obtain the most optimal result! Qigong may be enough, but for most relatively young and healthy people, a little more would provide significant benefit.
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Postby dmattwads » Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:57 am

I was wondering if anyone knew from a traditional chinese medical point of view exactly what is responsible for muscular strength and endurance? Is it simply your chi level? And why is it that as people age they are less strong, slower, ect..? And what one can do from a TCM point of view to become stronger and faster?
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Postby yeniseri » Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:06 am

dmattwads wrote:I was wondering if anyone knew from a traditional chinese medical point of view exactly what is responsible for muscular strength and endurance? Is it simply your chi level? And why is it that as people age they are less strong, slower, ect..? And what one can do from a TCM point of view to become stronger and faster?


The TCM point of view (actually post 1950's reconstruction of a former classical system!) rarely explains this but let me take a stab here!

I have never come across a "cardio" version of qigong referencing stuff like aerobics, running, etc but when you do a job requiring use of the body in various positions, the whole body is taxed based on the degree of work performaed, the duration and the temperature.
Modern society lackes this type of environment so muscle atrophy, disuse syndrome sets in and the body's ability to do such tasks "decreases".

Using xie bu as an example, try doing 20-30 repetitions and you will see what I mean. Doing this lowered stance will test you balance and cordination while increasing your heart rate due to the lowered posture.
Based on practice, coordination and periodization, the heart will get better (less stressed and more efficient). Add this to a routine, you will see the difference in whole body entrainment. So although the exercise is 'simple' the effort (perceived exertion scale) is such that the cardio element is visible but hidden within the mechanics of movement!
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Postby dmattwads » Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:38 pm

This might sound stupid, but I've noticed often that when I do a Qigong form my butt starts to sweat a lot, does anyone else have this happen? Anyone know what it might mean?
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Postby joeblast » Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:57 am

*shrugs* my butt sweats when I exercise anyway :lol:
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Postby warfreakyanix » Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:32 am

Of course it sweats because you exert efforts.
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