03 Apr Qigong Meditation: Ancient Healing Practice of Buddhist Monks
Qigong meditation is an ancient practice of Buddhist monks in Vietnam, combining controlled breathing, gentle movements, and meditation to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Similar to Tai Chi, qigong meditation is believed to treat various conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, insomnia, back pain, and to strengthen the body against cold-related illnesses and rheumatism.
What is Qigong Meditation?
Qigong meditation is an ancient Vietnamese method for healing the body, calming the mind, and strengthening the muscles and bones, combining meditation, controlled breathing, and both gentle and strong movements. Qigong can be understood as “mastering one’s energy,” combining two important concepts in traditional Vietnamese medicine: Qi (life force energy) and Gong (mastery, cultivation).
The goal of qigong meditation is to gather and enhance natural energy, promoting a healthy body and mind, while connecting with the universe to achieve peace and mindfulness. In traditional medicine, poor health is often the result of blocked energy flowing through the body’s twelve meridians, and qigong meditation helps to free the flow of qi (life force energy), aiding in healing and maintaining health.
Types of Qigong Meditation
There are two main types of qigong: dynamic qigong (as used in martial arts) and passive qigong (used to calm the mind for meditation). Dynamic qigong involves powerful movements combined with breath-work to enhance yang energy (strength, vitality), while passive qigong focuses on stillness and nourishing energy within the mind.
Qigong can be practiced alone (internal qigong) or with the guidance of a teacher (external qigong), where the teacher transmits energy to aid the healing process. However, for most practitioners, qigong is a self-healing method, cultivated through personal practice.
Benefits of Qigong Meditation
Qigong meditation offers many benefits, particularly in improving body balance, reducing stress, and enhancing overall health. Research has shown that qigong helps improve balance and flexibility.
Improved Balance
Qigong meditation helps enhance body awareness, improving balance and mobility. A practice refined over centuries shows that participants, especially middle-aged and older adults, significantly improve their balance and walking ability after 12 weeks of practice.
Qigong meditation also benefits younger individuals by increasing flexibility and reducing stress.