Q: What is Chi-Kung?

A: Chi-Kung had different names in ancient China. In general, it is a kind of "breathing technique" that will energize our body and mind. Buddha once said, "life and death lie between the in and out of a breath." Knowing how to breathe enables us to exhale bad energy from our body and replace it with good energy. A healthy breathing circle lays the ground for a healthy body.

Q: What is the benefit of Chi-Kung?

A: Practicing Chi-Kung "inflates" our body¡Xbringing "Chi", a form of energy, into our body. This process will transform the internal structure of our body, which will improve our health condition immediately. With constant practice of Chi-Kung, our bodily temperament may also change. In the long run, our wisdom will grow.

Q: Is there an age-limit for learning Chi-Kung?

A: Age does not matter. There are different kinds of Chi-Kung for different ages. Even pregnant women can practice Chi-Kung. The only concern is that every one should practice Chi-Kung differently according to their age and their health condition. That is why finding a good Chi-Kung master is very important.

Q: How long does it take to see any effect of Chi-Kung?

A: It depends on the health condition of every individual. In general, if we practice Chi-Kung at least half an hour every day, our body will achieve a small transformation cycle every three days, and a big transformation cycle every seven days. If we concentrate on only one Chi-Kung exercise, and practice it every day, we will feel obvious improvement of our health after one hundred days. The effects are so great that only those who have done it will truly appreciate.

Q: Can Chi-Kung cure diseases?

A: Chi-Kung is the best cure for many chronic diseases. However, different disease requires different Chi-Kung practice for a cure. We should seek out a good Chi-Kung master for advice. Nevertheless, if we practice Chi-Kung every day with perseverance, the possibility of getting sick will be greatly reduced.

Q: When is the best time during the day to do Chi-Kung exercise?

A: Any time. As people live on tight schedule nowadays, any free moment can be used to practice Chi-Kung. However, right after waking up or right before going to bed are the best two periods of time for practicing Chi-Kung; the effects will be more obvious. Also, it is better not to practice Chi-Kung on a full stomach for fear of indigestion.

Q: Is Chi-Kung the same as yoga exercise?

A: Chi-Kung and the traditional Indian yoga are very similar. They both work on breathing control and body movement. Traditional yoga exercise puts a lot of emphases on Chi, using Chi to increase the agility of our body. But nowadays, some yoga exercises have lost that tradition and have turned into a kind of stretching exercise. The effects of those yoga exercises become short-termed only.

Q: What¡¦s the difference between Chi-Kung and physical exercises?

A: Physical exercises, such as running, gymnastics, makes people sweat and feel exhausted. These are in principle exhausting exercises, and they only work our body. During physical workout, our body is under very intense condition. The slightest inappropriate movement runs the risk of causing physical injuries. In addition, this kind of exercise creates exhaustion, exhaustion creates inner emptiness, and inner emptiness makes us eat more and sleep more to feel fulfilled. The process turns our body into a battlefield, circling around exhaustion and over-fulfilling. Our body tends to wear out faster.

On the other hand, Chi-Kung increases our internal fortification as well as the external body. With breathing control and specific body gestures, Chi is transferred throughout our internal system. It has the same effect as cardiovascular exercises, while our body is in a very relaxed condition, with little risk of physical injuries. Practicing Chi has all the benefits of doing physical exercises, but has no bad side effects that physical exercises will cause.

Q: How to start Chi-Kung practice?

A: First of all, you need to find a good Chi-Kung master for appropriate guidance.
Secondly, you nee to pay attention to how you breathe, focusing on four essential keys:
²ÓDelicate¡Xwhether breathing, walking, dealing with people, or handling jobs, you need to be as delicate as possible.
ºCSlow¡Xtry to slow down everything you do, especially your breathing speed.
ªøLong¡Xbreathe longer to increase your breathing capacity
¤ÃSmooth¡Xalways breathe at ease, avoid gasping or panting.

Q: How to choose a good Chi-Kung teacher?

A: A good Chi-Kung master is one who understands what he/she is doing, and takes responsibility for his/her actions. Fame is not the determining qualification. But first of all, we need to ask ourselves what we want to learn, why we want to learn it, and whether we will devote our time to it. Only those people who have positive and correct attitudes will be able to seek out the true master.