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ORIENTAL EXERCISE Dedicated to maintaining health and vitality through movement |
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Qi Gong Illustrated In this section we will take a brief look at just one example of how qi gong (ch'i kung) might work and why it is so beneficial for us in terms of health. The illustration to the right shows the exercise called 'The Archer'. This simple movement stimulates the energy channels located on the radial (thumb-side) of the arm. This is related to the energies of the classical Colon and Lung acu-channels of the body that are used in clinical practice by acupuncturists. The stride is wide, with the weight concentrated around 80% in one leg - in this instance the left leg. The opposite arm is extended and the index finger and thumb spread wide and pointing upward. The drawings to the right show the location of the Colon and Lung acu-channels of the body. As you can see, these are located on the thumb side of the arm.The Archer exercise shown above, therefore, will help to activate these energy channels and to stimulate the respective organs that they pass through. This is especially so if we also employ mental focus and try to visualise the qi flowing in the channels. The Colon is responsible for eliminating
waste from the body, of course, and so needs to be functioning
properly if we are to remain well. In addition to this it is
estimated that approximately 70% of the body's immune system
is located in the digestive tract.as lymphoid tissue. This helps
produce and store vital immune cells called lymphocytes.
The Lungs, meanwhile, are very important in
terms not only of taking in oxygen - essential for the workings
of every cell in the body - but also, again, in maintaining our
immune system (called the Wei Qi in oriental medical theory.
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Article: Wade-Giles or Pinyin?
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Qi
