Qigong - dissolves blockages, strengthens stress resistance

Qi should come in flow

Many know the relaxation method of Chinese medicine, qigong. With slow, flowing movements through the exercises, the Qi, so the "energy of the body" is brought into flow. Targeted exercises can also dissolve blockages. In Chinese medicine, qigong, in addition to acupuncture, Chinese drug therapy, body therapies and diet, is one of the five pillars of medical theory.

The individual, short exercises of Qigong are a mixture of gymnastics, meditation and pantomime. The movements are so slow that the muscles loosen and the qi gets everywhere. But relaxation alone is not enough, but moderate muscle tension is just as important. "The biggest difficulty European patients have with eliminating volitional control over the movements is that it should actually go by itself," explains Dr. Christian Schmincke, expert in Chinese medicine and director of the clinic at the Steigerwald.

Figurative names for the exercises such as "The Crane Spreading the Wings" or "Archery" are intended to help. Who puts himself into the pictures directs his attention to the outside, away from himself. Then the qigong also achieves a good effect: "Our organism is controlled by two systems: the animal system, which includes muscles and sensory organs, as well as the vegetative, the unconscious body processes. Proper Qigong harmonizes both. "Patients notice success in stimulating salivation and causing the stomach to work. In addition, Qigong makes people more relaxed, more defensive and better at dealing with stress.

The meditative exercises also help with acute pain, migraine or cramps. When the flow of Qi stops and patients do practiced Qigong exercises, it starts to flow again. "Breathing deepens, the motor functions of the stomach and intestines are regulated and the circulatory system gets back in balance," explains Dr. med. Schmincke. "Blood pressure also normalizes, the heat spreads better in the body, and feelings of chill subsidence." Ideally, patients make Qigong every morning. Those who have learned the exercises under guidance can practice them independently at home. Chronic patients benefit most from Qigong when embedded in an overall concept of Chinese medicines, acupuncture, body therapies and nutritional science.

Calm and invigorate Qigong balls

Almost everyone has ever held them in their hands, the Qigong balls. The exercises with the balls have the same purpose as the whole body qigong exercises: calming, centering and new life. In the exercise "Let circles in contact" the balls circle around each other in the hand. Circling should be done clockwise and counterclockwise with both hands. Attention: it is not about dexterity, but effects on the whole body. Those who practice too much ambition overwhelm the muscles of the hand and forearm and exhaust themselves quickly. The skill in circling the bullets is self-evident as the movements gradually become automated and flow, as it were, from the body into the arm at hand. Advanced let the balls rotate in the hand, without touching. (sb, pm)