Kinesiske helseråd for vinteren

Traditionel kinesisk medicin (TKM) lægger meget vægt på, at indrette sin livsstil efter sin egen konstitution og det omgivende miljø, på en måde så man bevarer og beskytter sin Qi (livsenergi).
Man skal f.eks. beskytte sig mod kulde, og det anses især for at være vigtigt at holder fødder og underben varme, for ikke at svække de indre organers energi og bane vejen for sygdomme.
Livsstilen skal også indrettes efter årstiden ifølge de klassiske værker om kinesisk medicin.
Om vinteren anbefales det at gå tidligere i seng og stå senere op. Fysisk aktivitet bør også modereres om vinteren. Træning til udmattelsesgrænsen anses for at være alt for hårdt for kroppens energi om vinteren, og man skal passe på ikke at svede for meget og afkøles for meget.
TCM anser nyrerne for at være kilden til alle organernes energi. Så hvis nyrerne mister energi på grund af utilpasset livsstil, kommer der ofte en hel række følgevirkninger. Især folk med lungeproblemer for hurtigt forværret deres tilstand, fordi lungerne allerede er belastet at kulden.

Hvis ikke man lever i harmoni med vinterens energi, svækker det nyrernes Qi, og fører til svaghed og træthed i foråret.

Chinese recommendations for lifestyle in wintertime:
TCM recommend going to bed early in winter, and getting up late. Winter is not a time to much activity, or even to be outside much.We mustn't deplete that Qi with excessive sweating, or do so and allow a chill.
In Chinese medicine the Kidney energy is the root of all energies. The Kidney energy is associated with the energies of the Water Element, which is dominant in winter.
So if in Winter the Kidney energy loses its support by "countercurrent" living, there will be injury and a cascade of effects. As the Lungs and immune system are taxed already in winter, there the effect will most quickly be seen, especially in folk with a tendency to Asthma, Bronchitis, Allergies, Colds, and Flu. And once you become ill, the body cant store Qi, and in spring there will be a feeble supply for opening and growth.

Qi Gong - mange veje til et bedre liv

Qi Gong betyder Qi = "livsenergi" Gong= "træne" eller "arbejde med". Der findes næsten uendelig mange variationer, tilpasset mange forskellige behov, temperamenter og aldersgrupper. Men det fælles mål, er at forbedre helbredet,  forebygge sygdomme og opnås større harmoni fysisk og mentalt.
Optagelserne her fra en park i Kina giver et indtryk af mangfoldigheden.

Qigong - internal acupuncture

 Medical Qigong is a part of traditional Chinese medicine and uses slow movements, combined with relaxation and breathing exercises to create balance in body and soul. The body's own inner forces is activated so that the load of the sympathetic nervous system decreases.

Qi Gong (vital energy exercise) has been a part of Taoist philosophy for over 2500 years. It is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong is based on the idea that there is life energy, Qi, in all living creatures, nature and the universe. Based on this philosophy has throughout history been developed practises as tai chi, martial arts and acupuncture. In the body is by Taoist thinking energy channels "meridians" in which life energy qi flow.

Illness and pain are due to blockage or damage of energy channels, and they can be treated with medical qigong. The training consists of relaxation, movement, concentration and breathing exercises. The basic idea is that specific, simple movements stimulate the flow of energy in the body, dissolves blockages and tension, increases blood flow and relaxes stiff joints. Daily Qigong training is considered to strengthen the life energy. According to this principle, one can also stimulate the flow of energy and resolve blockages using acupuncture or acupressure. Qigong can be compared with an internal acupuncture and has the advantage that it does not need a therapist once you have learned the method.

There are a few hundred variants of qigong styles.