QiGong can, without any doubt, be regarded as the Science of Self Healing.
It consists of an organized set of breaths and movements.
Alongside the body there are meridians - invisible channels through which energy flows. Just like there is a whole network of blood vessels, there is another network of meridians. When stretched and accompanied by mindful breathing, the meridians allow the energy to flow in its natural way. The traditional Shaolin stances and the movements within the QiGong forms stretch different meridians and align the joints in the body. The breath then helps to relieve accumulated tension.
In case of injury or sickness, when subjected to prolonged stress, or when we take the wrong type of food or medication, the energy gets stuck in the body and that is when we start feeling pain. Different kinds of QiGong help to heal different kinds of pain.
Just like such movements as Push Ups help with strengthening the chest, upper body and arms, other movements, like QiGong, help with strengthening the joints and the internal organs. QiGong calms down the Nervous System, build up the Immune System, slows down the aging process and improves cell regeneration, while regulating the breath and the flow of fluids and energy along the body.
QiGong can be regarded as the Yin or Internal side of Shaolin, while Kung Fu represents the Yang or the External side. Both are needed for achieving optimal results. Depending on age and level of fitness we can find a balance between the two. As an example, older people would need more QiGong training, while younger people would need more Kung Fu training.
The most famous QiGong in Shaolin are Ba Duan Jin (Eight Treasures), Yi Jin Jing (Muscle and Tendon Changing Scripture) and Xi Sui Jing (Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture).
