On a daily basis more people are concerned with their health and we should be. There are many ways we can be pro-active rather than reactive by first controlling what we put into our bodies such as processed foods, exercising on a regular basis, and focusing on some form of stress free activity so we can rejuvenate ourselves in one way or another.

Well, how can we turn things around if we begin to have health issues if its something more serious such as high blood pressure or cancer that is heredity in the family? What if I were to tell you practicing Qi Gong (also pronounced Chi Gong) as little as 15 minutes daily will help improve your circulation, blood pressure, arthritis, neurological disorders, internal issues such as your lung or liver. Well, read on and I'll tell you a little bit about my personal experience with Qi Gong and how it can help you.

I've been around health and fitness a large portion of my life. I've always been on top of my game when it came to exercising, nutrition, etc. Imagine, one day you visit the doctor on a regular check up and he tells you he'll have to refer you to a few other Medical Doctors (Neurologist's, Specialists, Optometrists, etc) stating you have Optic Neuritis which is associated with Multiple Sclerosis. The first week of April, 2004 was the day I found this out and I was outlined with appointments left and right such as a Visually Evoked Potential test, MRI, CAT Scan, etc. Mind you, I was the type of person that didn't like going to the doctors office unless I needed to go but this pretty much goes for most people.

During that year, my Optometrist discussed I would have to take Prednisone to reduce the inflammation. However, the negative aspect is that continuing to take the medication could possibly reduce your vision or you can permanently lose your eye sight. Being 30 years old at that time I never took any drugs or medication for my health. The last time I remembered even taking an aspirin was when I was about 8 or 9 years old coming down with a severe fever. I decided on my own not to take any medication and I advised my Optometrist. Afterwards, I began doing visualization with my breathing and I found this relaxing with the stress I had. I heard and read articles about controlled breathing to promote blood flow through out your body. I controlled my breathing by inhaling most of the air and exhaling all my air. I continued doing this for about 8 months. After my regular visits with my Neurologist and Optometrist, they confirmed and mentioned I was healthy again!

I asked my Optometrist "what happened for this unexpected reversal?". All he mentioned was that "you are lucky, so don't worry about it". This began my first experience with Qi Gong but I didn't find it again until 2007 of August when I had thoughts and curiosity once again. I came across Qi Gong many times over the years but I didn't really pay much attention to it. Imagine, something so simple that can reverse the process of a person's health. Was I just lucky or was it my visualization and controlled breathing that turned things around? Alright folks I'll now be discussing what the hype is all about with Qi Gong!

First thing, Qi Gong has been around for many centuries and it goes back from 2,500 years ago to even 7,000 years old. The reason the estimation on the historical development of Qi Gong is because it was passed down amongst monks and teachers in secrecy. For example, Acupuncture was discovered by American doctors in the 1970's even though it has been practiced for thousands of years. Qi means energy or the state of energy within the person. By practicing your Qi it has an influence on your thoughts, vision, hearing, taste, emotion, smell, physical movement, and spirit because it enhances your awareness with your surroundings.

There are about 3000 kinds of Qi Gong practiced in China. Qi Gong can be categorized into 4 parts such as Scholar Qi Gong, Medical Qi Gong healing yourself and others, Religious Qi Gong and Martial Arts Qi Gong. The one I'll be discussing will be Medical Qi Gong for disease prevention, strengthening our immune system, disease treatment, etc. We commonly know about exercising to promote good health and preventing illness. That focuses on strength and cardiovascular conditioning which works from the outside inward. With Qi Gong it is the opposite and works inside outwards. Our mind, body, and spirit is connected allowing us to focus on our concentration, physical, and breathing to integrate all three.

The Qi (energy), body posture, and spirit (meditation and visualization) improves health, prevent diseases, cure diseases, improve mental awareness, keep us fit, and balance our mind, body, and spirit. Regular practice of Qi Gong allows the Qi to flow smoothly throughout your body. The regular practice of Qi Gong will increase the blood flow. This results to an efficient delivery of oxygen, nutrients of white blood cells, and removal of metabolic waste. If there is a blockage (supply of Qi to a cell blocked), the flow of blood in that area will change, and eventually the cells and the organs associated may malfunction. End result, diseases or pain may occur for that individual.

Many studies have been researched on Qi Gong and the U.S has recognized its benefit promoting Qi Gong practice . China and the U.S have hosted conferences together on Qi Gong research. Medical research has proven now that the most powerful healing is located within our own bodies. Keep in mind, only a few minutes daily of regular practice of Qi Gong will only help improve your health. It is so easy to do and we should all be doing Qi Gong. Think of Qi Gong as brushing your teeth everyday. If you can brush your teeth once or twice daily then there is no excuse you can't do the same with Qi Gong. On a side note, I hope everyone does brush their teeth at least once a day!