Gong Yoga (Gong Shui): means of rejuvenating one's physical tone power. Its theory posits an intuitional body, and, chakras and Meridians.

(See also: Gong Yoga, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Yoga Craft Yoga Qi Gong Therapy: synthesis of traditional hatha yoga, assisted posturing and stretching (see Nuad Bo Rarn), Qigong, shiatsu, qi healing (see Chi Healing and Qigong therapy), and meditation.

(See also: Yoga Craft Yoga Qi Gong Therapy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Qi gong:

Chinese yoga, cultivation of qi (chi), or prana

(See also: Qi gong, Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Dictionary)

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part II of III.

In Part II: 1) Can I just use kundalini yoga simply to improve my health?, 2)

Is there any scientific basis for kundalini and the cakras?, 3) Do I really have to believe that all these cakras physically exist?, 4) Is Chinese qi gong a kind of kundalini yoga?, 5) What about Tibetan Buddhism - has kundalini been known in Tibet?, 6) Are there any other traditions that show awareness of kundalini?, 7)So how do I awaken kundalini?, 8) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using effort to awaken kundalini?

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? (part II of III) -

Kriyas, literally ''activities'', are spontaneous movements that occur after kundalini awakening. These include bodily activities such as trembling, shaking and spontaneous yoga postures; vocal activities such as yelling, or spontaneous chanting and mental activities such as visions. These kriyas eliminate the blocks to kundalini rising within the spine or central channel.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) What are kriyas?, 2) So how do kriyas purify my consciousness?, 3) Are these kriyas some sort of self-hypnosis or some sort New Age phenomenon?, 4) Haven't a number of well-known teachers criticized kriyas?, 5) Don't they say that kundalini is a force that needs control?, What is the philosophy of siddha mahayoga?, 6) What is the precise role of the guru in siddha mahayoga?, 7) What teachers give shaktipat initiation?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What are kriyas? (part III of III) -

Qigong (Simplified: 气功; Traditional: 氣功; Hanyu Pinyin: qìgōng; Wade-Giles: ch'i4 kung1) is an increasingly popular aspect of Chinese medicine involving the coordination of different breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body. Qigong is mostly taught for health maintenance purposes, but there are also some who teach it, especially in China, for therapeutic interventions. Various ...

Including:

• Qigong - History
• Qigong - Uses
• Qigong - Beliefs
• Qigong - Criticisms of qigong
• Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Read more here: » Qigong: Encyclopedia - Qigong

Meditation like yoga originated in Vedic Hinduism many centuries ago, it was much later adopted into a wide variety of practices of religious and non-religious formats which emphasize mental activity or quiesscence. The English word comes from the Latin meditatio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, but which later could perhaps be better translated as "contemplation." This usage is found in Christian spirituality, for example, when one "meditates" on the sufferings of Christ; as w ...

Including:

• Meditation - Overview
• Meditation - Types of meditation
• Meditation - Meditation in context
• Meditation - Physical postures
• Meditation - Frequency and duration
• Meditation - Purposes and effects of meditation
• Meditation - Metta meditation: the practice of loving-kindness
• Meditation - Health applications and clinical studies of meditation
• Meditation - Meditation and the brain
• Meditation - Meditation and EEG's
• Meditation - Adverse effects
• Meditation - Meditation and drugs

Read more here: » Meditation: Encyclopedia - Meditation

Qigong (also spelled chi gong, and chi gung; originally called daoyin):

1. (Chi Kung, Chinese Energetic healing, Chinese Qigong therapy, Chinese yoga, internal Qigong, Kiko, Qi Gong, Qigong healing) Chinese form of self-healing whose aim is to stimulate and balance the flow of qi (chi, vital energy) through meridians (energy pathways).

It involves contemplation, visualization (imagery), assumption of postures, and stylized breathing and body movements. Gong (or kung, as in kung fu) is a Chinese word that pertains to skill.

The word qigong literally means breathing exercise, to work the vital force, practicing with the breath, or working with the energy of life. Interpretations of the word include energy skill and energy mastering exercise.

2. A vast group of systems and methods of ancient Chinese and twentieth-century origin that encompasses Qigong therapy.

(See also: Qigong, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Qigong: (also spelled "chi gong," and "chi gung")

1. (Chi Kung, Chinese Energetic healing, Chinese Qigong therapy, Chinese yoga, internal Qigong, Kiko, Qi Gong, Qigong healing) Chinese form of self-healing whose aim is to stimulate and balance the flow of qi (chi, vital energy) through meridians (energy pathways). It involves contemplation, visualization (imagery), assumption of postures, and stylized breathing and body movements. "Gong" (or "kung," as in "kung fu") is a Chinese word that pertains to skill. The word "qigong" literally means "breathing exercise," "to work the vital force," "practicing with the breath," or "working with the energy of life." Interpretations of the word include energy skill and "energy mastering exercise.
2. A vast group of systems and methods of ancient Chinese and twentieth-century origin that encompasses Qigong therapy.

(See also: Qigong, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Breathwork: A general term used to describe directed breathing patterns that take breath to a deeper level, thus improving one’s physical health as well as one’s mental and emotional state of being. Breathwork is an integral part of many types of spiritual/healing practices such as yoga, chi gong, and meditation.

(See also: Breathwork, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

MEDITATION

The concept of meditation originated in the East, primarily in India, where formal techniques are taught and learnt. In the West this word seems to have a generic meaning, whereby it can almost mean anything. However there are several types of this practice.

One is the technique of concentration, which can best described as focussing the mind on a particular value in a constant manner, with extreme intent. This can be illustrated by the chanting of monks, where a phrase or refrain is repeated for long periods of time. This technique appears to have been adopted by those who are usually in a monastic way of life, and who spend long hours in this practice. It does actually work by the mind being released from such control after a period of time, and then transcends itself to experience the transcendent. The same applies to extreme concentration techniques, like clearing the mind of thoughts, or staring at a candle.

Then there is the technique of contemplation, which seems to be the most common technique in the West. This practice keeps the mind on the conscious thinking level, but at times there is an experience of the transcendent, but can be short-lived, as the conscious mind is so active, and is encouraged to stay with those thoughts. There are many variations to this type of mindfulness, and many different visualizations can be adopted, including and not limited to breathing techniques. The intent is for union with one’s source (the Transcendental Nature of Existence), and is highly recommended.

See TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION and YOGA, and QI GONG/CHI KUNG, TAI CHI CHUAN.

(See also: MEDITATION, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Mind/Body/Spirit Medicine:

Mind-body medicine (also referred to as psychoneuroimmunology-PNI) focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. It regards as fundamental an approach that respects and enhances each person’s capacity for self-knowledge and self-care, and it emphasizes techniques that are grounded in this approach.

Mind-body medicine typically focuses on intervention strategies that are thought to promote health, such as relaxation, hypnosis, visual imagery, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, tai chi, qi gong, cognitive-behavioral therapies, group support, spirituality, and prayer. The philosophy of mind/body medicine views illness as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation, and health care providers as catalysts and guides in this process.

(See also: Mind/Body/Spirit Medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

In the 1980s and 1990s, the increasing popularity of qigong and related practices led to the establishment of many groups and methods in China and elsewhere which have been viewed in a critical light by more traditional qigong practitioners as well as skeptical outside observers. In this view, a large number of people started studying qigong under inadequate supervision, indeed, perhaps the majority of people today who study qigong study from books or video tapes and DVDs without supervision by a teacher. This can lead to several problems, a ...

See also:

Qigong, Qigong - History, Qigong - Uses, Qigong - Beliefs, Qigong - Criticisms of qigong, Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Read more here: » Qigong: Encyclopedia II - Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Today millions of people in China and around the world regularly practice qigong as a health maintenance exercise. Qigong and related disciplines are still associated with the martial arts and meditation routines trained by Taoist and Buddhist monks, professional martial artists and their students. Formerly much more closely guarded, in the modern era such practices have become widely available to the general public both ...

See also:

Qigong, Qigong - History, Qigong - Uses, Qigong - Beliefs, Qigong - Criticisms of qigong, Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Read more here: » Qigong: Encyclopedia II - Qigong - Uses

Much of the criticism of qigong involves its method of operation. Both traditional Chinese and Western medicine practitioners have little argument with the notion that qigong can improve and in many cases maintain health by encouraging movement, increasing range of motion, relaxation, blood oxygen saturation and improving joint flexibility and resilience. However, the benefits of qigong become much more controversial when it is asserted that qigong derives its benefits from qi acting as an external non-physical force. Many biologists and physicists are skeptical of these claims and see no r ...

See also:

Qigong, Qigong - History, Qigong - Uses, Qigong - Beliefs, Qigong - Criticisms of qigong, Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Read more here: » Qigong: Encyclopedia II - Qigong - Criticisms of qigong

Kundalini Dictionary

Dictionary over terms related to kundalini and kundalini awakening. Please note that words in grey like " Kundalini " are links to archives with related articles.

Qigong and its intimate relation to the Chinese martial arts are often connected with spirituality. They have thereby been considered the province of religious practitioners in the popular imagination for many centuries. This link is much stronger than with other techniques in traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong was historically practiced extensively in Taoist and Buddhist monasteries as an adjunct of martial arts training, and the claimed benefits of martial qigong practice are widely known in East Asian martial traditions and popular cult ...

See also:

Qigong, Qigong - History, Qigong - Uses, Qigong - Beliefs, Qigong - Criticisms of qigong, Qigong - Controversies within qigong

Read more here: » Qigong: Encyclopedia II - Qigong - Beliefs

In the recent years there has been a growing interest within the medical community to study the physiological effects of meditation (Venkatesh et al., 1997; Peng et al., 1999; Lazar et al., 2000; Carlson et.al, 2001). Many concepts of meditation have been applied to clinical settings in order to measure its effect on somatic motor function as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Also the hermeneutic and phenomenological aspects of meditation are areas of growing interest. Meditation has entered the mainstream of health care as a ...

See also:

Meditation, Meditation - Overview, Meditation - Types of meditation, Meditation - Meditation in context, Meditation - Physical postures, Meditation - Frequency and duration, Meditation - Purposes and effects of meditation, Meditation - Metta meditation: the practice of loving-kindness, Meditation - Health applications and clinical studies of meditation, Meditation - Meditation and the brain, Meditation - Meditation and EEG's, Meditation - Adverse effects, Meditation - Meditation and drugs

Read more here: » Meditation: Encyclopedia II - Meditation - Health applications and clinical studies of meditation

Widest consensus: Major newspapers, encyclopedias, magazines, leading broadcasters, and major news websites. British Broadcasting Corporation, marked as (BBC). Encarta online encyclopedia, marked as (Enc). [1] The Guardian, marked as (Guardian). The New York Times, marked as (NY Times). Salon.com, marked as See also:

List of purported cults, List of purported cults - Sources, List of purported cults - Widest consensus, List of purported cults - Decreasing consensus, List of purported cults - Narrowest application

Read more here: » List of purported cults: Encyclopedia II - List of purported cults - Sources

A Dictionary of Spiritual Terms. From Acupuncture to Zoroaster.

Please note that all words in grey, like "yoga", "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.