Yoga may have the "sexier" image as far fashionable health practices go, but according to Qigong teacher and author John Du Cane, the ancient Chinese art of Qigong offers baby boomers a wider and deeper range of techniques to fend off the ravages of aging.
The ancient Chinese art of Qigong has helped millions restore their energy, recover from illness and enhance their vitality. Like its Indian counterpart, Yoga, Qigong promotes flexibility, strength and general well being. But, according to Qigong expert John Du Cane, Qigong’s greater breadth and depth of health techniques offers baby boomers a better chance to fend off the ravages of aging.
“In the United States right now, Yoga has become a ‘sexy’ health practice – with its eye-catching postures and emphasis on physical stretching. Qigong has less obvious ‘sex appeal’, because its postures are generally less flamboyant and many of its practices more subtle in their applications…” says Qigong author and teacher John Du Cane.
“Yet, after thirty years of personal experience and research, I have yet to find a practice that more completely offers me a way to protect and enhance my life systems, than qigong…” Du Cane continues.
Without an anti-aging longevity program like Qigong in place, John Du Cane says baby boomers can expect the following problems:
Decline in production of growth hormone paralleled by hormonal imbalances—leading to slower healing/recovery times.
Decline in digestive, eliminatory and circulatory systems— leading to weight gain, constipation, fatigue and cold extremities.
Emotional imbalances—leading to stagnation, debilitating tensions increasing inability to cope with stress.
Addiction to stress-response—leading to depletion of kidneys, libido, vitality, feelings of discomfort and malaise.
Shallow breathing—leading to a decline in energy and strength.
Deterioration of joints—leading to lack of flexibility and mobility, increase in joint pain.
Decline in physical strength—leading to injury-vulnerability and task-inadequacy.
Decline in lymph system—leading to poor skin, edema, cancer and other major diseases.
A good Qigong longevity program addresses these issues successfully by cultivating the following skills and habits:
Movement. Which should include tapping, shaking, pumping, coiling, twisting, squatting, stretching, flexing, joint rotations, walking, and spontaneous, playful dance-like releases. Movement will range from the very vigorous to the very tranquil.
Handwork. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Qigong is the use of the hands, as off-the-body “magnets” to affect and redirect energy flow within and around the body. These self-carressive hand patterns complement the use of sensing and consciousness to cultivate stronger energy.
Breathwork. Qigong returns us to the innate breathing skills we possessed as small children, correcting the impact of stress-induced shallow breathing and other breath-related health challenges.
Posture. Qigong teaches skills for optimizing posture for “stillness” practices, both standing and sitting. These usually involve careful use of sensing and attention to cultivate energy while physically still.
Consciousness. Qigong cultivates and refines the skill of awareness and attention to both guide energy and attain deep meditative states.
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