When
you practice a Qigong form, regardless of the style, you should follow these
specific requirements.
There are certain basic features which are essential to Qigong regardless of the form or school.
 | Relaxation: Quietness and naturalness - It is most important that during the practice the body and mind are relaxed and peaceful. Before each practice one must relieve oneself, loosen one's belt and any other restrictive clothing. Find a peaceful place to practice (where you won't be disturbed). Insure the posture is correct - the back straight and the body erect though not stiff with the arms handing naturally. The whole body should be relaxed, yet not limp, so the mind and body are comfortable and aligned. |
| Unity of Breath and Mind: It is critical that the mind and breath are united by focusing the mind on the Dan Tian. The breath should be deep, yet natural, and led by the mind. Excessive emphasis on your breath, however, is less effective. |
| Exercise and Rest Combined: There are different methods of breathing for various forms of Qigong. If one is practicing a breathing method, one should take a short rest, returning to your natural breathing, before returning to your daily routine. |
| Stillness and Movement Combined: Some forms of Qigong combine both stillness and movement into one style (such as Wisdom Qigong). After practicing a "still" form, one should practice a "moving" form before returning to your daily routine. |
| Gradual Development: It is important to realize that one should not practice beyond one's ability and strength. Allow the practice to develop and progress naturally and at its own pace. Never force it or strive for quick results. |
| Practice Differs According to the Individual: Since each individual has a different state of health, and illness appears in many forms, and depending upon the form of Qigong practiced, the results will vary based upon the specific needs of the individual. One should not compare their practice to another practitioner. |
| Perseverance: If one is to be successful in their practice, the person must practice daily for at least three months. Qigong is not a quick fix. The longer one can persevere, the more profound the results. |
| Restraint in One's Private Life: If one expects to be healed or improve their health, one must give up bad habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. Be sure to regulate your life and activities so you do not exhaust yourself. |
| Visualization: During many Qigong postures the student will be asked to "guide" the Qi flow within your body. There is a ancient Qigong saying, "Where the mind goes, the Qi will flow." This visualization practice should not be forced, however. The term "gently focus" your mind is more appropriate. During a Qigong practice, it is important that one relax, and become calm and detached. If a person focuses too much attention on moving Qi, the person may become attached to the visualization. The more focused thinking one does, the more the body may become tired or bored with the practice. Visualization is just another means towards achieving a higher goal of total detachment (emptiness). Balance is the key. Gently focusing your mind is far better than a concentrated visualization. |
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