Qigong or Chi Kung is an ancient art of Chinese origin and its name is derived from Qi which translates as vital energy and Gong which translates as work, therefore it could be defined as work with vital energy and more specifically as the Art of Conscious Management of Vital Energy.

 

The internal arts or energy arts have been practiced by different cultures and their essence has generally been kept secret. The Hindus call their art of energy Yoga, the Tibetans the Art of Wisdom, while the ancient Greeks and ancient Egyptians called it the Art of the Mysteries. Although there are methodological, emphasis and conceptual differences between the arts of different cultures, all of them have to do with the flow and consolidation of vital energy to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

 

The term Imperial Qigong refers to the internal arts passed down by the historical monk Bodhidharma at the Shaolin Temple in the 6th century. As it was an imperial temple, visited by great leaders for their retreats, the arts created by monks for the harmonic development of emperors and generals were called Imperial Qigong to differentiate it from Monastic Qigong whose focus is purely spiritual.

 

The practice of Imperial Qigong generates wonderful results in terms of health, vitality, emotional balance, mental clarity and spiritual joys; regardless of race, culture or religion.

 

Imperial Qigong is possibly the most valuable contribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine to the Modern Western World, as it allows us to connect with the intentional and conscious management of Qi – the universal energy that flows, that is exchanged, that is transformed and, through it forms all things.