QiGong or Chi Kung or Chi Gung 氣功

QiGong is an ancient Chinese practice rooted back 4000 years ago. It is an intrinsic life energy practice through external fluid movement which in turn directs internal "qi" along the acupuncture meridians (energy pathways), thereby maintain physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Many forms of Qigong exist today. Some emphasis on breathing, others on tendons and muscle exercise. In general, QiGong exercises offer great benefits for body, mind and spirit.
A.   Wu Xing Qi Gong - 5 Elements   五行氣功

This beautiful and fluid movement QiGong exercise emphasis on 5 elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth which corresponds to Lung, Kidney, Liver, Heart and Spleen (5 main organs) respectively. This Qigong Practice involves 5 series of rhythmic breathing and slow stylized repetitive movements, and a calm meditative mindful state, allowing "qi" travels through acupuncture meridians, which nourishes the 5 main organs.

B.   Standing Baduanjin Qi Gong  立式八段錦

Often called 8 Sections Exercises involve eight individual movements, primarily designated as a form of medical qigong to improve health.

1.  Holding the hands high with palms up to regulate the internal organs
2.  Posing as archer shooting both left-and-right handed to strengthen the
     spine and limbs
3.  Holding one arm aloft to regulate the functions of the spleen and stomach
4.  Looking backward to prevent sickness & stain
5.  Swing the head and lower the body to relieve stress
6.  Moving the hands down the back and legs and touching the feet to strength
     the kidneys
7.  Thrusting the fists and making the eyes glare to enhance strength
8.  Raising and lowering the heels to cure diseases
C.   Yi Jin Jing Qi Gong   易筋經

Yi means "change", Jin means "tendons and sinews", and Jing means "methods". This is a relatively intense form of exercise that coordinated with breathing and mental concentration, aims at strengthening the muscles and tendons, so promoting strength and flexibility, speed and stamina, balance and coordination of the body.

Twelve Form Yi Jin Jing QiGong:

  1.  Wei Tuo Presenting the Pesstle 1
  2.  Wei Tuo Presenting the Pesstle 2
  3.  Wei Tuo Presenting the Pesstle 3
  4.  Plucking a Star and Exchanging a Star Cluster
  5.  Pulling Nine Cows by Their Tails
  6.  Displaying Paw-Style Palms like a White Crane Spreading Its Wing
  7.  Nine Ghosts Drawing Swords
  8.  Three Plates Falling on the Floor
  9.  Black Dragon Displaying its Claws
10.  Tiger Springing on Its Prey
11.  Bowing Down in Salutation
12.  Swing The Tail
D.   Wu Qin Xi Qi Gong  五禽戏氣功

The five animals in the exercises are the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and crane. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of Wu Xing (Five Elements), each animal has two exercises corresponding to the five yin (Zang) and five yang (Fu) internal organs. Regular practise of this Qi Gong is said to improve functioning of the Liver/Gall Bladder (Wood Element - tiger), Kidneys/Bladder (Water Element - deer), Spleen/Stomach (Earth Element - bear), Heart/Small Intestine (Fire Element - monkey) and Lung/Large Intestine (Metal Element - crane) respectively.
  
E.   LiuziJue Qi Gong  六字訣氣功

The Six Healing Sounds or Liu Zi Jue (六字訣) QiGong involves the coordination of physical movement and control of breathing patterns with 6 specific sounds. This QiGong exercise regulates the rise and fall of Qi (intrinsic life energy) inside the body through 6 different mouth forms  and pronounce the "HSU, HE, HOO, SI, CHUI, and XI" exercises. This in turn strengthens the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys and Sanjiao (the 3 burners or 3 Dantian areas housing the internal organs).
  1. 噓 HSU [pronounced like 'she,' with the lips rounded] - 'deep sigh' or 'hiss' - Level the Liver Qi
  2. 呵 HE [pronounced like 'huh'] - 'yawn' or 'laughing sound' - Supplement the Heart Qi
  3. 呼 HOO [pronounced like 'who'] - 'to sigh,' 'to exhale,' or 'to call' - Cultivate [or Shore Up] the Spleen/Pancreas Qi
  4. 呬 SI [pronounced like 'sir'] - 'to rest' - Supplement the Lung Qi
  5. 吹 CHUI [pronounced 'chway' or 'chwee,' depending on locale] - 'to blow out,' 'to blast,' or 'to puff' - Supplement the Kidney Qi
  6. 嘻 XI [pronounced like 'see' with tongue high, and well forward, in the mouth] - 'mirthful' - Regulate the Triple Burner Qi