|
The practice of qigong is thought to date
back around the dawn of Chinese civilization, as early as the seventeenth
century b.c . Legends of the Shang Dynasty period describe how members
of the ancient Tao Tang tribes would imitate the movements of wild
animals in order to dispel rheumatism caused by the cold, damp climate.
The exercises, called "dao yin", evolved over the centuries
into what is now known as qigong, and reflect the Chinese
principle of looking to nature for healing.
From very early times, qigong was incorporated into
Chinese medicine. During the Spring/Autumn Period (770-426 b.c.)
and the Warring States Period, (476-221 b.c.) the basic principles
of Traditional Chinese Medicine were developed, including the theory
of yin/yang imbalance as the root cause of illness, the role of
the Five Elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Metal), modes of
diagnosis (tongue and pulse) and healing (acupuncture, herbs, qigong
and diet). The "three treasures" of the human body, "Qi"
or vital energy, "Jing" or life essence, and "Shen"
or spirit were viewed as the key to vibrant health.
 The
Yellow Emperor and the Han Dynasty
The earliest written mention of qigong as a healing
technique is found in The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine,
or Huang Ti Nei Jing, written sometime during the Han Dynasty
(206 BC-AD 220). Here it describes the fundamental natural principles
that lead to good health:
|
"In the past, people practiced
the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of
balance, of yin and yang, as represented by the transformation
of the energies of the universe. Thus, they formulated practices
sych as Dao-In (Qigong), an exercise combining stretching,
massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow, and meditation
to help maintain and harmonize themselves with the universe.
They ate a balanced diet at regular
times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing
their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence
of all kinds. They maintained well-being of body and mind;
thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred
years." |
Another early Han period record of qigong practice
is the Dao Yin Illustrations (Dao Yin Tu), written by the
healer Hua Tuo, considered the patriarch of Chinese medicine. It
includes a chart representing 44 human figures which perform movements
emulating wild animals, including the wolf, monkey, bear, crane,
hawk and vulture. Hua Tuo is credited with developing the "Five
Animal Frolics" style, which is still popular today.
The
superior physician teaches; the inferior physician treats."
--ancient Chinese proverb |
Up until the 20th century, qigong was a closely-guarded
state secret in China, passed down from monk to monk in special
"lineages". On demand, the monks would share their esoteric
qigong knowledge with their emperors, who were more often than not
seeking the key to eternal life.
As it developed over the centuries, qigong incorporated
a variety of religious influences - Buddhist monks used qigong to
enhance their spiritual practice, strengthen their bodies and help
them attain enlightenment (nirvana). Taoists used it to help
them become strong and flexible like nature, with the goal of attaining
immortality. During the Liang Dynasty, a Buddhist monk named Da
Mo would develop two series of exercises to improve the health of
the monks living at the Shaolin Temple. These exercises, Muscle/Tendon
Changing and Bone/Marrow Washing, are still used today. Due to this
influence, Qigong became incorporated into martial arts training.
Twentieth Century to Present Day
After the overthrow of the last feudal dynasty, the
Qing, in 1911, Western medicine became the accepted norm in China,
and many of the ancient healing traditions were neglected. However,
during the Communist Revolution, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung began to
look to traditional practices including qigong as a cheap and effective
treatment method for the millions of poor peasants without access
to health care. Mao called for the integration of traditional Chinese
medicine and Western medicine, which led to the first scientific
study of qigong. In 1953 the first Qigong hospital opened in Bei
Dai He.
During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, qigong
was derided as a superstitious practice, and its practitioners were
persecuted. But less than twenty years later, as China's political
climate became more moderate in the early 1980s, it was once again
revived as a popular health regimen, and hundreds of qigong hospitals
sprang up all over China. Scientific
qigong research began in earnest.
Today, almost a billion Chinese practice qigong daily
in parks and gymnasiums around China. It is considered a basic health
maintenance ritual.
|
