Hello everyone! My name is Liang Chengmei. I am a Mandarin lecturer and martial arts instructor at Goldsmiths, University of London. I would like to introduce qigong for health and wellbeing to all of you.
Due to the situation of Covid-19, I imagine most of you are currently working or studying from home and I think this type of qigong is a good way to maintain physical and mental health and improve our immune systems during long periods of isolation at home.
Health Qigong epitomises the essence of Chinese culture and the tradition of self-cultivation. It has been in existence for at least 5,000 years in China and is considered to be a priceless spiritual and cultural practice that has been handed down through the generations. It aims at supporting good health, longevity, and self-cultivation.
Qigong is the integration of exercises, some types of breathing techniques and a mental focus. By regulating body postures, breathing and mental focus, we can adjust our inner body systems and achieve harmony and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Due to its gentle and graceful movements, easy to learn techniques and need for self-practice, free from the limits of sites and facilities, Health Qigong is gaining popularity all over the world. Ba Duan Jin is one of the most widely spread, influential and popular forms of Health Qigong among the Chinese people.
As a traditional Chinese health and fitness Qigong exercise routine, Ba Duan Jin, or more literally translated as Eight-Section Exercises or Eight Pieces of Brocade, dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). With easy movements and impressive effects on health, it is a gem in China’s health and fitness culture. It is considered to carry qi (meaning energy flow or life force) all through the movements and follows the intrinsic rules of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and traditional Chinese self-cultivation traditions.
It is generally accepted that the practice of Ba Duan Jin can improve breathing techniques, limb strength, and flexibility of the joints, as well as enhancing general balance. It is said to strengthen one’s immune system to a degree, and delay the ageing process, so as to increase the life span. It also improves one’s mental health.
A survey showed that most Ba Duan Jin practitioners are satisfied with the practice duration, intensity and routine format outlined below, and testify to Ba Duan Jin’s effects on health improvement.
As an example, posing as an archer shooting both left-and right-handed (左右开弓似射雕 Zuǒyòukāigōng shì shè diāo) is one of the essential movements of Ba Duan Jin Health Qigong.
Spreading the shoulders and chest when imitating the posture of an archer (as per the above image) can stimulate such meridians as Dumai (the governor vessel) and a series of points known as acupoints (腧穴 shùxué) along the spine while regulating inner energy along such channels as the Taiyin lung meridian (手太阴肺经 Shǒu tàiyīn fèi jīng).
This routine also helps to develop the muscles of the lower limbs, and enhance the balance and coordination. With the improvement of muscle strength in the forearms and hands, the flexibility of the wrist and finger joints is enhanced as well.
This movement helps to correct unhealthy postures, such as a bent back or hunched shoulders, thus helping to improve certain shoulder and neck conditions.
That’s all. Thank you! I hope all of you stay healthy during this kind of special time. Let’s practice Health Qigong at home!
Chengmei teaches on Goldsmiths Confucius Institute Tai Chi and Qigong short courses. She also oversees 1-1 Mandarin short courses in the department and works as part of our Outreach for Schools programme.
*Please note all Goldsmiths Confucius Institute Short Courses will be online in the Summer Term 2020.
