Wisdom from a Qigong master

During Master Zhou Baofa’s workshop on Qigong organized by Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society earlier this month, he demonstrated his lung power by immersing his face in a tub of water for more than a minute without breathing. Master Baofa is 66 years old, but his strength and vitality are comparable to that of a healthy 22-year old man. Master Baofa’s secret is Qigong.
 
Qigong, or the study of Qi (life force), was developed more than 3,000 years ago in China. It is all about using the breath, posture and movement to “cleanse, generate, accumulate and circulate Qi in the body.” Qigong is said to improve health, delay aging, strengthen the immune system, prevent or heal illnesses and bring out the potentials of the human body.

Master Baofa has been practicing Qigong and Tai Chi for almost 50 years. He claims that he has more energy and is more healthy and fit because of it. Presently, he teaches Qigong, Tai Chi and Calligraphy at the Confucius Institute in Ateneo de Manila University. He also taught Chinese Internal Energy Exercises all over Shanghai, China and specializes in teaching Health and Wellness seminars based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Here are a few nuggets of Qigong wisdom from the master:

1. The 8 Section Brocade is a popular form of Qigong created in the 12th Century to improve soldiers’ vitality. Master Baofa said that this exercise can also open our lungs to increase its power—because for a normal person, a huge portion of his lung capacity lies dormant. It is important to open up the lungs and blood vessels because these get constricted, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease are more probable. Here is a good online resource for this exercise.

2. A basic Qigong stance is called Hugging the Tree. Daily practice will help one build stamina and Qi, strengthen immunity and develop inner calm. Master Baofa advises beginners to do it for three minutes every day, then gradually build up to 20-minute daily sessions. Some practitioners say that if you are unable to do any other Qigong, then do a stance. Hugging the Tree is a great way to start your regular Qigong practice.

3. Sixty percent of what we eat is useless, said Master Baofa. He also stressed the importance of fasting because when one fasts, the harmful bacteria in the body are starved. The effect of fasting is that a lot of toxins in the body die. Master Baofa himself drinks plenty of water but eats only once or twice a day, which surprisingly doesn’t make him feel tired at all. More frequent Qigong practice leads to greater ability to skip a meal, he said. When internal energy is activated through Qigong, the body is supplied with energy and it doesn’t feel hungry as often. “Eat only what you need,” is a good rule of thumb.

4. Practice abdominal breathing to supply the body with more oxygen. Slower and deeper breaths are also preferred over quick, shallow breaths. To practice effective breathing, inhale deeply until the belly expands. Retain the breath for at least five seconds before slowly exhaling through the nose. This practice lowers the heart rate and slows down the body’s metabolism.

5. Do not overuse the heart. Otherwise, it will weaken. Strenuous activities are not good for the heart if one is old or feels chest discomfort, Master Baofa said. To preserve life and heal the body, it is important to conserve one’s strength. Qigong would be a good way to keep the heart healthy. In terms of diet, Master Baofa said that consuming too much fat puts a lot of pressure on the heart.

6. When breathing or practicing Qigong, one must focus all attention on the lower dantian. The lower dantian is an energy center located two inches below the navel. This practice helps quiet down the heart, and with constant practice, one can learn to direct energy to any part of the body when attention is directed to the dantian.

Qigong may seem too slow or easy for most people, but a lot goes on inside the body that the eyes cannot see. Qigong is said to open our lungs, strengthen our heart and relax our brain. As a result of more Qigong, a person obtains more energy and a more alert mind. — BM, GMA News