Qigong is an Asian-based practice that focuses on using the
mind and body to improve health and overall functioning. It is a practice of aligning movement, awareness
and intention for exercise, healing, and meditation. At the core of Chinese internal arts is a
statement found in the Taiji Classics:
“The Mind leads the Body and the Qi follows.”
The first problem many have with Qigong is Qi. Qi is often defined as the mystical energy
force that is present in all things and unifying us all. It is simply the definition of magic - mysterious powers that inspire everything from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Star Wars Jedi Mind Tricks. The inability to scientifically prove the
existence of Qi is the reason that western science and eastern healing methods
have been at odds. Everything from
acupuncture to Reiki to qigong is predicated on the existence of Qi – if Qi
does not exist, then all of these things are perhaps called into question.
The character below is the Chinese character for Qi. This is the character for “Chi” in
Tai Chi Chuan, as well as the "Ki" in Aikido. The symbol depicts a stove with a fire burning inside. A pot with rice is sitting on top of the
stove and the lid is lifting up. Very
mysterious and not easily explainable centuries ago, but a given fact that the
rice put in a pot with water over heat will change. Therefore, a possible definition of Qi is
Steam. Other possible definitions of Qi
are Air and Breath.
It is true that several cultures have developed theories
similar to Qi. The Yogic Prana in India
or the Ki in Japanese arts are examples.
This does not help to prove the existence of Qi, but I believe it shows
that the concept has been useful across many cultures and centuries.
Science cannot prove the existence of an invisible, intangible, magical/mystical energy field. However, the so-called "Ki Society Aikido" calls themselves Shin Shin Toitsu Do or Aikido with Mind and Body Integrated. Other examples of the Japanese use of Ki in language (from Kisshomaru Doshu of Aikikai):
Courage: Shi-Ki
Will power: I-Ki
Vigor: Gen-Ki
Bravery: Yu-Ki
Equanimity: Hei-Ki
Conserving Energy: Shu-Ki
Prolonged Breathing: Ki-Soku
These concepts are not magical. Far from it. These words speak to Mind and Body interaction, and the interaction of our logical mind and our emotional mind. Most of us accept the influence of our Mind on our Body as factual.
The idea of Qi I use in my classes at the Duke Cancer Center is straightforward. I am not introducing anything magical,
mystical or religious. Simply: how we think and feel affects how we move, breathe,
and live. How we move, breathe, and live
affects how we think and feel. We can
learn how the Mind can positively influence the Body, and how the Body can
positively influence the Mind. For this Art, I always start with the Mind.
We feel, see, smell, touch, and taste everything with our
brain. Our brain is our gateway to
reality. Anxiety, stress, or Type “A”
constant driven desires to succeed are associated with a number of chronic and
acute health problems. Grief,
depression, distraction, and anger cause changes in our sleeping and eating
patterns, our bowel habits, our ability to perform tasks that might otherwise
be very familiar to us. Panic, rage, and
fear cause our heart and lungs to work faster and more forcefully. Fear makes the experience of pain worse. Doubt makes us less likely to succeed. Most areas of medicine make use of
psychology, acknowledging of the importance of addressing the mind while
helping the body.
If you attend one of my classes, it does not matter if you believe
in an energy field. You do not need to
challenge any belief systems, religious or otherwise. You only need to accept that the mind and
body are connected. Internal arts use this idea to improve balance, functional strength and coordination in
a low stress, low impact training method.
When the Mind leads and interacts with the Body, the two together can do
much more than the sum of their parts.
This notion of Qi is common sense, and I teach Qigong that is heavily grounded in psychology and kinesthiology.
The exercises I teach in the Duke Cancer Center Quiet Room are from Li Family Baguazhang, a martial art. This is not a class in combat. There is no fighting. My hope is that students will have some fun and feel better during, and at the end of class. These exercises can be easily modified – when in doubt, what you are doing in your mind matters more than what you are doing with your body! For this art, a mental practice without movement is better than empty, mindless movement. A relaxed mind is clear and easily focused. A relaxed body starts with a relaxed mind. Healthy movement starts with relaxed, mindful structure.
I am grateful to the Duke Cancer Center for the opportunity to teach this Art. The support I have received from my managers, patients and coworkers has been exciting and amazing. It was in part for this class that I am the recipient of the Duke Cancer Center Superstar Award for patient care this year. It was humbling to stand in front of so many of my coworkers at the 3rd anniversary of the Duke Cancer Institute - I work with many amazing people, and they all go the extra mile.
I also want to express my gratitude to the teachers before me: Shifu John Painter has made it his life's work to clarify the mystery around the Internal Arts. I am a better student and practitioner today thanks to his efforts. It is his methods that I am introducing in the Duke Cancer Center's Quiet Room.
Without the efforts of Kristy Everette Sartin, the Oncology Recreation Therapist whose efforts led to this class, none of this would have ever happened. Thank you.
As always, thank you to my wife who would define Qi as the most useful word in the history of Scrabble.
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