It’s hard to stay motivated doing the same boring workout routine, like Qi Gong, which has only a few moves you repeat again and again. So why do I keep practicing it, and why do I understand it is so important on a fundamental level?
I am sure there are Qigong enthusiasts out there, and that is great! For some, Qigong is a pain reliever, and for some, it is a meditative and relaxing exercise. But I want to clarify what Qigong truly is, and not what it can be used for.
Qigong is sold to the masses with all sorts of reasoning why we should practice, and personally, I find this very confusing and irritating. There are clear routines; why are there so many different answers to such a simple question?
The Exercises
During my time in the Wudang Mountains at the martial arts school, I was taught Qigong in a traditional way, without knowing how or why. I know two forms: the well-known Eight Brocades and the Five Animals from Master Yuan Xiu Gang. Later, I consulted my wife about the execution and meaning of these routines and how they relate to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Originally I did not receive a good medical education about Qigong during my training in the Wudang mountains. Consulting with my wife and a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we found that the routine made more sense in a different order. After testing it, we felt it was effective.
Up to this point, there was a lot of trial and error to really understand what I was doing with these exercises. I feel confident now to share my discovery:
The Jibengong (foundation) for all exercises remains the same, whether in Gongfu, Taijiquan, or Qigong. Yes, there can be changes in style, but the foundational concepts remain the same.
How should we practice?
To answer the question: How should we practice Qigong? is the same as answering how to perform foundational movements or postures, like the Mabu (horse stance).
We should always do what we can, and not a fraction of what we are able.
I understand that a fraction of a position can feel effortless, but at this point, it feels more like a marketing trick to manipulate you into thinking you did something good for yourself. I confronted masters in China with the question, “Why do you do it this way?” I often received the response, “But then nobody would do it.” So when Qigong is sold to the masses, it is with the vision of keeping it as easy as possible because people wouldn’t do it otherwise? I feel sad that many people aren’t even given the chance.
Back to the question, yes, we should do what we can and make each exercise as high-intensity as possible. The energy you put into the effort will yield benefits, just like any other workout.
Why do I practice?
Qigong is a highly focused routine that aims to improve and build up the whole body on a physical and energetic level. What you usually would not find in Taijiquan or Gongfu practice, for example, is the focused stretching in your joints and the stimulated meridians for your organs and immune system. I see why strong soldiers, back in the day, did the Eight Brocades routine to stay strong and healthy. It was a common army routine and is around 800 years old, maybe older. Who knows?
Motivation
I overcame the obstacle of self-motivation by giving a Qigong class twice a week. I believe a routine or ritual is necessary to stay consistent. While I totally understand why I practice it and feel the benefits every time, I also find it hard to stay motivated without a disciplined tradition to do it weekly.
About my benefits:
I definitely feel younger every time I practice. Sometimes I feel sleepy, so I rest. That’s because changes can only happen while we are sleeping. Even after 15 years of practicing, I feel like I am still getting new perspectives and benefits. I am able to control certain parts of my spine better, and the circulation starts to feel different and more powerful. Especially the larger joints, like the hip joints, tend to become more and more flexible over the years, and that feels very good and helps me stay physically and mentally young.
Qigong helps me stay young on all levels, and I wouldn’t want to miss it. I wouldn’t overcomplicate this; we all want to feel healthy and strong. I experimented with daily and once-a-week practice, and twice a week felt like a good balance, especially if you also practice other things.
How often do you practice Qigong?
- Once a month
- Once every two weeks
- Once a week
- Twice a week
- Everyday