How to Learn Qigong in the UK
Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice believed to allow an individual to manipulate energy, or "qi," throughout the body. It is used for mental and physical healing, and practiced by millions of people around the world. Qigong can be beneficial, but only if done correctly. If you are interested in learning qigong in the United Kingdom, there are a few options available to learn it properly.
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Instructions
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Learn from a master. Qigong masters sometimes have studios in larger British cities; however, the studios may actually be martial arts studios. Many Chinese martial arts masters practice qigong and teach it as a part of their regular curriculum. True masters have typically studied qigong for many years and should be able to give you their master's name, and their grandmaster's name. If you cannot find a master, certified teachers can also be a suitable substitute. The UK Taiji Qigong Foundation sets standards and certifies qigong instructors in the U.K. Check with the foundation to see about finding a certified teacher in your area.
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Buy a DVD. If you live a rural area of the U.K., finding a master or teacher may be more difficult. Learning qigong from a DVD is the next best thing. Qigong masters from many areas of the world, including China, sell instructional DVDs on their websites and ship internationally. You can learn qigong by listening carefully to the instructor. Retail outlets, such as HMV and Amazon UK, sell qigong instructional DVDs and both stores will ship to most areas of the U.K.
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Read a book. Learning qigong from a book is not the best option, but may be suitable for qigong students who already have a solid foundation. The best qigong instructional books will have detailed descriptions and photos. U.K. book retailers, such as Waterstone's and Amazon UK, sell instructional books on qigong and will ship all over the U.K.
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Tips & Warnings
The best instructors, DVDs and books will be able to tell you how the qi moves through your body while practicing qigong.
If you are studying five elements, or "wuxing" qigong, the book or instructor should be able to tell you how each of the elements connect to the major organs in your body, according to traditional Chinese medicine.
After learning qigong, try studying taiji. Qigong and taiji have similar theories and are complementary to one another.
Hard qigong is the term used to describe qi practice in the martial arts. Through a process of desensitization and manipulation of qi, Chinese martial artists believe that they can withstand heavy blows with little or no damage to their bodies with hard qigong training.
To most Chinese, qigong is not a spiritual thing, but a means for achieving good physical and mental health. Many westerners are confused by the esoteric, philosophical terms used to explain qigong and believe that they are religious in nature. While some qigong is rooted in Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, qigong is still practiced for health reasons. Be wary of instructors that exaggerate the usefulness of qigong or claim that supernatural abilities can be acquired through qigong practice.
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- Photo Credit woman doing tai chi image by Jack Prichett from Fotolia.com
