Question about qigong.

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Question about qigong.

Postby JeffK » Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:13 am

Is doing a session qigong like having a session of acupuncture? Also does the 8 pieces of brocades just circulate qi or does it also develop more qi?
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby joeblast » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:23 am

It depends how you define "like" :P

Is your energy being manipulated in some fashion? Yeah. But not in the same way. Developing a strong healthy body is also "developing more qi" but there are plenty of things one can do to develop the qi. But acupuncture wont "develop more qi" at least not directly, although it may do so indirectly by perhaps opening up a blockage or encouraging more flow here or there.
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby brer_momonga » Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:16 am

I think it can be just as - if not more than - effective depending on your condition and experience practicing QiGong.
Acupuncture may temporarily open a blockage, but it is ultimately our responsibility to maintain that equilibrium. Though one may be paying their own money and training their body/mind to relax and feel balanced during acupuncture treatment, I like how QiGong requires the investment of regular practice (or if you're taking lessons, the investment of reasonable fees for instruction). That practice investment is crucial to maintaining the equilibrium.

In the same way, we may go the chiropractor and have our spines put back into place, but if we go right back to our poor posture, so too will
our spine's alignment go south.

Sorry if I sound down on chiropractors - they do an important job - I feel that many americans over utilize their services. It would be funny if a chiropractor said, "Listen, I can tell you have been slouching again. OK, one more manipulation and after that - you better keep good posture!"

Or imagine a physical therapist saying, "I can tell you only do those knee exercises here. You're not going to get better unless you put some effort into your treatment."

Sorry, enough of these rants on the sad state of american healthcare.

I had acupuncture once and in the middle of it I had this epiphany about how my body should feel and move during tai chi chuan. I think it is to Qi Gong in the way that joeblast describes. I likened the "opening the blockage or encouraging more flow here and there" to opening a dialogue with the subconscious or mind/body/spirit - whatever you prefer to call it. Having said that, I've had similar experiences training ma bu (horse stance).
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby yeniseri » Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:10 am

JeffK wrote:Is doing a session qigong like having a session of acupuncture? Also does the 8 pieces of brocades just circulate qi or does it also develop more qi?


We would need to qualify what we mean when we say a session of qigong=session of acupuncture! It would depend of the circumstance, the individual and his propensity for both.
One can definately make qigong a lifelong lifestyle but the same cannot be said for acupuncture. The latter should be used when appropriate per differentiation of symptoms/syndrome. WIth breech presentation, acupuncture is great but qigong cannot accomplish that!

8 Brocade definately helps circulation but development of more qi is not how I would phrase that! As an example, longevity is more about balance and despite the process of good genes, dietary corrections, etc one cane never get more blood.
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby joeblast » Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:09 pm

One other thing to consider is, acupuncture is really only as good as the diagnosis and application ;)
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby wpgtaiji » Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:15 pm

joeblast wrote:One other thing to consider is, acupuncture is really only as good as the diagnosis and application ;)

A qigong is only as A) good as the practitioner can do it, and B) good as the method is (some are better than others), so its the same thing.

As to the question: they do similar things (getting qi to circulate correctly), however they do it differently. Like has been said, qigong is a maintenance by the person, where acupuncture is by someone else, generally.

While I am not an expert in 8 brocades (my friend has had excellent results over a period of 5 years with it), to me, it appears more of a qi circulation practice that qi building practice. How can i say that? Looking at the qi building practices, we have standing qigong in Taiji, in bagua we have turning holding a mother 8 palm (static upper body), and xingyi has Santi, although i could be wrong about the theory (hence the word THEORY!)

All of that said, we know 8 brocades work! At the very least, it reduces stress, opening our qi meridians and is therefore, an excellent health practice!
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby wpgtaiji » Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:15 pm

double post :(
Last edited by wpgtaiji on Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby Whitewolf » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:34 am

I have practiced the 8 Pieces Of Brocade for over 30 years. It circulates, AND strengthens / builds Qi.[/b]
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby carolRN » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:42 pm

I believe that QiGong is more effective than acupunture, based on opionons of researchers. Qigong forms vary, very much. Many are "watered down" versions that are just not effective or not taught properly. Two effective systems, Soaring Crane QiGong and Qinway QiGong, are the difference between "apples and oranges" Soaring Crane QiGong (which cured my breast tumor 30 years ago) teaches no particular breathing or meditation and is an hour long format of slow moving excercises. Qinway Qigong (which resolved my dementia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, much of my back pain ) also teaches no particular breathing, one does not have to quiet the mind for it and is a 2 hour routine involving 60% guided imagery, 40 % VERY simple slow moving excercises , in addition to communicating with trees, ocean and mountains and in addition to paricitpating in BIGU while receiving QI energy twice daily from the teacher. What both have in common, is that once the energy channels are open, then the advanced form teaches a free flow standing form, in which you direct the QI to go where ever it sees fit, thus causing you to move spontaneously. This is considered to be a most powerful excersice as you are not depending upon the diagnosis and application of a acupunturist to decide what meridians need to be addressed, or a generic QiGong excersice. The QI 's widom knows where to flow . Also, in my limited knowledge, but what I learned from Master Qin, is that it is important to keep the QI flowing all day long. I don't think an acupunturist does this, at least not the ones I have gone to. One other point to consider, is that QI, in general is made up of both good and bad QI. Soaring Crane has one excersice there you do nothing but release bad QI, then you gather and circulate it. Qinway system, emphasises releasing bad QI, and has many formats to release bad QI, at the same time while infusing good QI for a total cleansing and reguvenation of mind,emotions,physical and spiritual. I hope that this is helpful.
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby josemunoz63 » Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:07 am

Qigong involves directly your mind. You drive your Qi, you absorb Qi from outside, you manipulate your Qi. You share your Qi with the environment. You are absolutely conscious of your Qi. You feel your Qi and you create Qi. You are the director of Qi. Consciousness is directing the Qi.

Acupuncture or moxibustion or digitpuncture, are ways for manipulating the existing Qi in your body. To move from one side to other through the meridians, to disperse blockages, to increase or reduce Qi depending on areas, to estimulate inner production of Qi. The only moment in which acupuncture is closer to Qigong is when mind and consciousness of practitioner and patient are involved and drive the Qi as it is made in Qigong ( or as it should be made in real Qigong )

For this reason my suggestion before starting acupuncture study, and practice is: never to start if you have not experienced the FEELING of the Qi on your body clearly and even strongly. Once you get it, then you can start to understand acupuncture, but not before.

For theses reasons, I consider Qigong as the powerful base for understanding the Qi
Best Regards
Jose Munoz
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby yeniseri » Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:00 pm

JeffK wrote:Is doing a session qigong like having a session of acupuncture? Also does the 8 pieces of brocades just circulate qi or does it also develop more qi?


Based on the original question, it is acupuncture that has been the face of what is called Chinese Medicine, in whole or is part, and not qigong, though yangsheng taijiquan (health tai chi) has been the door at which qigong is often compared and emulated.
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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby Dvivid » Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:26 am

The Standing Eight Brocades develops more qi. The sitting Eight Brocades maintains what you already have.

Practicing qigong is sometimes called "acupuncture without needles". But that's really just to give people a very basic understanding that qigong has to do with improving your energy circulation, as does acupuncture.

The effectiveness of acupuncture depends upon the acupuncurist. The effectiveness of qigong depends upon the individual practitioner.
"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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Re: Question about qigong.

Postby sub_human » Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:28 pm

The question is as in depth &/or, as germane as: "Which is better.. a hammer, or a screw driver..?"

Each's power comes in knowing what tool(s) are nec for the job.! As both are part of TCM.
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