Chen, G.

Reekie, Shirley H. M.

English

San Jose State University

San Jose State University
SJSU ScholarWorks
Faculty Publications Kinesiology
1-1-1995
Chi gong--An exercise for internal health
G. Chen
Shirley H. M. Reekie
San Jose State University, shirley.reekie@sjsu.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/kins_pub
Part of the Kinesiology Commons
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty
Publications by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@sjsu.edu.
Recommended Citation
G. Chen and Shirley H. M. Reekie. "Chi gong--An exercise for internal health" Journal of CAHPERD (1995): 15-16.
Chi Gong -An Exercise for Internal Health 
Gong Chen, Ed.D. and Shirley Reekie, Ph.D. 
What Chi Gong is. Chi Gong (official name called Qi Gong, have been found existing in the human body, and the Chi (vital 
but often called Chi Gong in the United States), "the manipulation of energy) has been successfully measured by scientific equipment. 
vital energy", is an unique Chinese exercise for internal health. It is These findings indicated the scientific foundation of Chi Gong. 
significantly different from most regular exercises (such as weight Research also found that Chi Gong has significant effects on the 
training, aerobic dancing, or jogging) and sports or activities. Most prevention and treatment of many health problems and chronic 
existing exercises or sports intend to improve external fitness-such diseases, and on the improvement of internal health without negative 
as strength, endurance, or flexibility. In other words, they basically side effects. Many physiological and molecular changes have been 
work on muscles, bones, and the heart. Chi Gong, however, is an measured during Chi Gong exercise and therapy. 
exercise system for internal organs (brain, heart, lung, liver, stomach, Chi Gong and Tai Chi. Tai Chi has become very popular in 
spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines) and internal systems the United States and has merged into American culture, while Chi 
(nervous, pulmonary, circulatory, digestive, and immune). Since Gong is still new to most Americans. Chi Gong and Tai Chi have 
most mortality is caused by internal organ or system problems, something in common but they are two different kinds of exercise. 
exercise for interna1 health should play an important role in the Chl Gong and Tai Chi have similar functions as exercises for internal 
prevention of health problems. In Chinese tr.Witional medicine, Chi health, since both of these exercises use three components-
Gong also has been used as a therapy for many internal organ movement, breathing, and meditation to activate the vital 
problems, and a variety of other conditions including cancer and energy-although they emphasize different elements. The major 
AIDS. Besides its exercise and therapy functions, Chi Gong has also difference between Tai Chi and Chi Gong is that Tai Chi also is a 
been applied in relaxation, stress reduction, sport training, art form of martial art while Chi Gong also functions as a therapy. 
performance, martial arts, and academic performance. Who can practice Chi Gong. Chi Gong can be performed by 
How Chi Gong works. The mechanism of Chi Gong in the anybody, young or elderly, people with or without disabilities, male 
promotion of health is to open all meridians (in Chinese it is called or female, healthy people or people with health problems. Unlike 
Jing-luo which are channels through which vital energy tlows) in the most sports or activities, Chi Gong docs not require specific facilities. 
human body so that the'Chi (vital energy) can flow smoothly along equipment, or pa1tners, it does not require strength, speed, flexibility, 
the meridians. The flow of Chi can regulate body conditions, balance endurance, or quick reactions. It does not have any body contact like 
Yin and Yang (positive and negative energy) in the organs, improve many other sports, so it is very safe for people with a certain 
metabolism, and increase self-treatment functions. The technique to disability to participate. Anybody, after a short training, can be 
open the meridians is the combination of selected movement, successful at performing it on his/her own. It is very individualized, 
purposeful breathing, and meditation (mental visualization). Chinese and performers can select the movements they wish and they can do 
traditional medicine believes that opened meridians in the body it at their own pace. 
bring perfect health while blocked or weakened Chi flow usually Styles. Chi Gong has many styles featured by their leaders and 
reflects health problems and can shorten the life span. The basic inventors The most popular Chi Gong styles with nationwide 
function of the pw-poseful movement is to warm up the vital energy participation in China include Crane Style, Five-Animal Style, An 
channels, while the function of correct breathing is to help relax and Style, One-Finger Zen Style, Go Style, and Tai Chi- Chi Gong Style 
concentrate, and the function of meditation is to use mental which combines Tai Chi's movements and Chi Gong's principles. 
visualization and concentration to combine these three elements to Learning Chi Gong. The Chi Gong learning process includes 
activate the Chi for internal health. Actually, Chi Gong works in a three stages. The first stage focuses on the combination of purposeful 
similar way to acupuncture, except in acupuncture needles arc used body movement and control, deep relaxation, regulation of breath, 
to activate the Chi, while in Chi Gong the combination of the above and meditation (visualization of Chi movement) to open the meridians. 
three components is used to move the Chi. Unlike other exercises and sports which usually require years of 
History and future. As a valuable part of the Chinese culture, practice and training, the first stage of Chi Gong can be as short as 
Chi Gong has 3,000 years of history as a form of exercise for several months, weeks, or days depending on the individual learner. 
longevity, but it was originally practiced in private places such as Usually, a couple of months can be enough for most learners to learn 
homes and temples. It was not a popular public exercise until 1980 the basic skills and forms as an exercise. The second stage emphasizes 
when a revolutionary form -"Crane" Style Chi Gong-was created. activating one's own internal Chi (vital energy) through meridians. 
Now Chi Gong has become the most popular form of exercise for After regular practice in stage one, one usually can feel the internal 
internal health and therapy in China. National statistics indicate that Chi movement. and open major merirlian!:. The performer then can 
at least 50-100 million people practice Chi Gong daily in China. activate his/her own vital energy and move the Chi through the 
Chi Gong was introduced to the United States in the 1980s, and it meridians <o treat physical problems and diseases. This stage is what 
has been growing slowly in mainstream society as a form of meditation most Chi Gong performers like to llchieve and usually take several 
exercise. Recently, Chi Gong has attracted a lot of attention in the months or weeks. The third stage is that one is able to generate 
medical field. It is predicted, however, that in one to two decades, external Chi (this is common only among Chi Gong masters). External 
Chi Gong will become the most popular exercise for internal health Chi can be used to help other people activate their Chi and in most 
in this country. cases treat other people's problems as a therapy. This stage usually 
Scientific background. Chi Gong had been an art since it was needs years of practice. 
created thousands of years ago. However, when Chi Gong became Chi Gong, however, is not some kind of magic power which you 
popular in public in the 1980s, extensive research was done on the can master in a morning. Patience is a very important factor in 
basic theories and the effects of Chi Gong as an exercise and therapy. learning Chi Gong. Practice of this exercise should concentrate on 
The research has brought significant findings. The vital energy 
meridians (which were thought to be imaginary vital energy channels) Continued on page 28 
-15-
TITLE IV, continued from page 5 
"(D) the developm£nt and implementation of character 
education programs, as a component of a comprehensive 
drug or violence prevention program, that are tailored by 
communities, parents and schools; and 
"(E) comprehensive, community-wide strategies to prevent 
or reduce illegal gang activities; 
"(5) supporting 'safe zones of passage ' for students between 
home and school through such measures as Drug- and Weapon-
Free School Zones, enhanced law enforcement, and 
neighborhood patrols; 
" ( 6) acquiring and installing metal detectors and hiring security 
personnel; 
"(7) professional development for teachers and other staff and 
curricula that promotes the awareness of and sensitivity to 
alternatives to violence through courses of study that include 
related issued of intolerance and hatred in history; 
"(8) the promotion of before- and after-school recreational, 
instructional, cultural, and artistic programs in supervised 
community settings; 
"(9) drug abuse resistance education programs, designed to 
teach studems to recognize and resist pressures to use alcohol 
or other drugs, which may include activities such as classroom 
instruction by uniformed law enforcement officers, resistance 
techniques, resistance to peer pressure and gang pressure, and 
provision for parental involvement; and 
"(10) the evalt~ation of any of the activities authorized under 
this subsection. 
"(c) LIMITATIONS. -
"( 1) IN GENERAL. - Not more than 20 percent of the funds 
made available to a local educational agency utuler this subpart 
may be used to carry out the activities described in paragraphs 
(5) and (6) of subsection (b). 
"(2) SPECIAL RULE. -A local educational agency shall only be 
able to use furuls received under this subpart for activiries 
described in paragraphs (5) and ( 6) of subsection (b) if funding 
for such activities is not received from other Federal agencies. 
"(d) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. -Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of law, any funds expended prior to July 1, 1995, under 
part B of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 (as 
in effect prior to enactment of the Improving America's Schools 
Act) for the support of a comprehensive school health program 
shall be deemed to have been authorized by part 8 of such Act. " 
CHI GONG, continued from page 15 
both the product (a healthy body) and the process (daily healthy 
experience). Usually the process is more important because it actually 
improve the internal health, and one can enjoy jt everyday. 
Chi Gong and physical education. As a new form of exercise for 
internal health, Chi Gong should become an important part of physical 
education. As Chi Gong is becoming popular in the United States, 
there will be an increasing need for qualified Chi Gong instructors 
and curricula in schools and communities, and there will be an 
increasing need for research, too. Therefore, the physical education 
profession should take a strong leadership role in the promotion of 
Chi Gong in this country, and not wait for other professions to take 
this territory away. 
Gong Chen and Shirley Reekie are faculty members in the 
Department of Human Performance at San Jose State Univer:;ily. 
Chi Gong Workshop 
CAHPERD and the Center for International Sport and Human 
Performance at San Jose State University are offering a one-day 
workshop on Saturday, AprilS, 1995 from 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. to 
introduce the most popular Chinese exercise form for internal health 
and therapy. Participants will be able to perfonn basic Chi Gong 
sldlls for their own internal heulth and teach basic level Chi Gong as 
a lifetime exercise. Maximum enrollment has been set at 60, and the 
pre-registration deadline is April 1, 1995. Fees for CAHPERD 
members ;::: $20; non-members ;:::$30. A video tape will be available 
at a discount price of $8. Parking is available for $2 in the 7th Street 
parking garage on the SJSU campus. Workshop details and a 
registration form can be secured by contacting Shirley Reekie at 
408/924-3010. 
-28-
Eastin Named 
Legislator of the Year 
For her consistent and proactive support of CAHPERD 
issues, and for her personal habits which model an active, 
healthy lifestyle, the Executive Committee, upon recom-
mendation of the Legislative Committee, approved the 
nomination of Delaine Eastin, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, as CAHPERD Legislator of the Year for 1994. 
Prior to her election to California's highest post in K-12 
education, Eastin served as Chair of the Assembly Education 
Committee. Among other bills which were heard during her 
tenure in this position was the infamous "Hart bill", SB 200 I, 
which was designed to penn it the substitution of athletics for 
physical education in high school. CAHPERD members who 
testified were witness to the skillful and articulate manner in 
which Delaine Eastin convinced the Committee to defy the 
usually indefatigable Senator Gary Hart and defeat 
this proposal. 
Superintendent Eastin is an avid jogger and attempts to hit 
the pavement five days a week, because "it makes me feel 
better." During the Health Framework Conference last January, 
Superintendent Eastin was presented with a Certificate of 
Appreciation from CAHPERD by Executive Director Phyllis 
Blatz. It is anticipated that Eastin will receive her Legislator of 
the Year award on Sunday, March 3rd during the first general 
session at the CAHPERD state conference in Santa Clara. 


Chi gong--An exercise for internal health

SJSU ScholarWorks

San Jose State UniversitySJSU ScholarWorksFaculty Publications Kinesiology1-1-1995Chi gong--An exercise for internal healthG. ChenShirley H. M. ReekieSan Jose State University, shirley.reekie@sjsu.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/kins_pubPart of the Kinesiology CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in FacultyPublications by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@sjsu.edu.Recommended CitationG. Chen and Shirley H. M. Reekie. "Chi gong--An exercise for internal health" Journal of CAHPERD (1995): 15-16.Chi Gong -An Exercise for Internal Health Gong Chen, Ed.D. and Shirley Reekie, Ph.D. What Chi Gong is. Chi Gong (official name called Qi Gong, have been found existing in the human body, and the Chi (vital but often called Chi Gong in the United States), "the manipulation of energy) has been successfully measured by scientific equipment. vital energy", is an unique Chinese exercise for internal health. It is These findings indicated the scientific foundation of Chi Gong. significantly different from most regular exercises (such as weight Research also found that Chi Gong has significant effects on the training, aerobic dancing, or jogging) and sports or activities. Most prevention and treatment of many health problems and chronic existing exercises or sports intend to improve external fitness-such diseases, and on the improvement of internal health without negative as strength, endurance, or flexibility. In other words, they basically side effects. Many physiological and molecular changes have been work on muscles, bones, and the heart. Chi Gong, however, is an measured during Chi Gong exercise and therapy. exercise system for internal organs (brain, heart, lung, liver, stomach, Chi Gong and Tai Chi. Tai Chi has become very popular in spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines) and internal systems the United States and has merged into American culture, while Chi (nervous, pulmonary, circulatory, digestive, and immune). Since Gong is still new to most Americans. Chi Gong and Tai Chi have most mortality is caused by internal organ or system problems, something in common but they are two different kinds of exercise. exercise for interna1 health should play an important role in the Chl Gong and Tai Chi have similar functions as exercises for internal prevention of health problems. In Chinese tr.Witional medicine, Chi health, since both of these exercises use three components-Gong also has been used as a therapy for many internal organ movement, breathing, and meditation to activate the vital problems, and a variety of other conditions including cancer and energy-although they emphasize different elements. The major AIDS. Besides its exercise and therapy functions, Chi Gong has also difference between Tai Chi and Chi Gong is that Tai Chi also is a been applied in relaxation, stress reduction, sport training, art form of martial art while Chi Gong also functions as a therapy. performance, martial arts, and academic performance. Who can practice Chi Gong. Chi Gong can be performed by How Chi Gong works. The mechanism of Chi Gong in the anybody, young or elderly, people with or without disabilities, male promotion of health is to open all meridians (in Chinese it is called or female, healthy people or people with health problems. Unlike Jing-luo which are channels through which vital energy tlows) in the most sports or activities, Chi Gong docs not require specific facilities. human body so that the'Chi (vital energy) can flow smoothly along equipment, or pa1tners, it does not require strength, speed, flexibility, the meridians. The flow of Chi can regulate body conditions, balance endurance, or quick reactions. It does not have any body contact like Yin and Yang (positive and negative energy) in the organs, improve many other sports, so it is very safe for people with a certain metabolism, and increase self-treatment functions. The technique to disability to participate. Anybody, after a short training, can be open the meridians is the combination of selected movement, successful at performing it on his/her own. It is very individualized, purposeful breathing, and meditation (mental visualization). Chinese and performers can select the movements they wish and they can do traditional medicine believes that opened meridians in the body it at their own pace. bring perfect health while blocked or weakened Chi flow usually Styles. Chi Gong has many styles featured by their leaders and reflects health problems and can shorten the life span. The basic inventors The most popular Chi Gong styles with nationwide function of the pw-poseful movement is to warm up the vital energy participation in China include Crane Style, Five-Animal Style, An channels, while the function of correct breathing is to help relax and Style, One-Finger Zen Style, Go Style, and Tai Chi- Chi Gong Style concentrate, and the function of meditation is to use mental which combines Tai Chi's movements and Chi Gong's principles. visualization and concentration to combine these three elements to Learning Chi Gong. The Chi Gong learning process includes activate the Chi for internal health. Actually, Chi Gong works in a three stages. The first stage focuses on the combination of purposeful similar way to acupuncture, except in acupuncture needles arc used body movement and control, deep relaxation, regulation of breath, to activate the Chi, while in Chi Gong the combination of the above and meditation (visualization of Chi movement) to open the meridians. three components is used to move the Chi. Unlike other exercises and sports which usually require years of History and future. As a valuable part of the Chinese culture, practice and training, the first stage of Chi Gong can be as short as Chi Gong has 3,000 years of history as a form of exercise for several months, weeks, or days depending on the individual learner. longevity, but it was originally practiced in private places such as Usually, a couple of months can be enough for most learners to learn homes and temples. It was not a popular public exercise until 1980 the basic skills and forms as an exercise. The second stage emphasizes when a revolutionary form -"Crane" Style Chi Gong-was created. activating one's own internal Chi (vital energy) through meridians. Now Chi Gong has become the most popular form of exercise for After regular practice in stage one, one usually can feel the internal internal health and therapy in China. National statistics indicate that Chi movement. and open major merirlian!:. The performer then can at least 50-100 million people practice Chi Gong daily in China. activate his/her own vital energy and move the Chi through the Chi Gong was introduced to the United States in the 1980s, and it meridians <o treat physical problems and diseases. This stage is what has been growing slowly in mainstream society as a form of meditation most Chi Gong performers like to llchieve and usually take several exercise. Recently, Chi Gong has attracted a lot of attention in the months or weeks. The third stage is that one is able to generate medical field. It is predicted, however, that in one to two decades, external Chi (this is common only among Chi Gong masters). External Chi Gong will become the most popular exercise for internal health Chi can be used to help other people activate their Chi and in most in this country. cases treat other people's problems as a therapy. This stage usually Scientific background. Chi Gong had been an art since it was needs years of practice. created thousands of years ago. However, when Chi Gong became Chi Gong, however, is not some kind of magic power which you popular in public in the 1980s, extensive research was done on the can master in a morning. Patience is a very important factor in basic theories and the effects of Chi Gong as an exercise and therapy. learning Chi Gong. Practice of this exercise should concentrate on The research has brought significant findings. The vital energy meridians (which were thought to be imaginary vital energy channels) Continued on page 28 -15-TITLE IV, continued from page 5 "(D) the developm£nt and implementation of character education programs, as a component of a comprehensive drug or violence prevention program, that are tailored by communities, parents and schools; and "(E) comprehensive, community-wide strategies to prevent or reduce illegal gang activities; "(5) supporting 'safe zones of passage ' for students between home and school through such measures as Drug- and Weapon-Free School Zones, enhanced law enforcement, and neighborhood patrols; " ( 6) acquiring and installing metal detectors and hiring security personnel; "(7) professional development for teachers and other staff and curricula that promotes the awareness of and sensitivity to alternatives to violence through courses of study that include related issued of intolerance and hatred in history; "(8) the promotion of before- and after-school recreational, instructional, cultural, and artistic programs in supervised community settings; "(9) drug abuse resistance education programs, designed to teach studems to recognize and resist pressures to use alcohol or other drugs, which may include activities such as classroom instruction by uniformed law enforcement officers, resistance techniques, resistance to peer pressure and gang pressure, and provision for parental involvement; and "(10) the evalt~ation of any of the activities authorized under this subsection. "(c) LIMITATIONS. -"( 1) IN GENERAL. - Not more than 20 percent of the funds made available to a local educational agency utuler this subpart may be used to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection (b). "(2) SPECIAL RULE. -A local educational agency shall only be able to use furuls received under this subpart for activiries described in paragraphs (5) and ( 6) of subsection (b) if funding for such activities is not received from other Federal agencies. "(d) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. -Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any funds expended prior to July 1, 1995, under part B of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 (as in effect prior to enactment of the Improving America's Schools Act) for the support of a comprehensive school health program shall be deemed to have been authorized by part 8 of such Act. " CHI GONG, continued from page 15 both the product (a healthy body) and the process (daily healthy experience). Usually the process is more important because it actually improve the internal health, and one can enjoy jt everyday. Chi Gong and physical education. As a new form of exercise for internal health, Chi Gong should become an important part of physical education. As Chi Gong is becoming popular in the United States, there will be an increasing need for qualified Chi Gong instructors and curricula in schools and communities, and there will be an increasing need for research, too. Therefore, the physical education profession should take a strong leadership role in the promotion of Chi Gong in this country, and not wait for other professions to take this territory away. Gong Chen and Shirley Reekie are faculty members in the Department of Human Performance at San Jose State Univer:;ily. Chi Gong Workshop CAHPERD and the Center for International Sport and Human Performance at San Jose State University are offering a one-day workshop on Saturday, AprilS, 1995 from 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. to introduce the most popular Chinese exercise form for internal health and therapy. Participants will be able to perfonn basic Chi Gong sldlls for their own internal heulth and teach basic level Chi Gong as a lifetime exercise. Maximum enrollment has been set at 60, and the pre-registration deadline is April 1, 1995. Fees for CAHPERD members ;::: $20; non-members ;:::$30. A video tape will be available at a discount price of $8. Parking is available for $2 in the 7th Street parking garage on the SJSU campus. Workshop details and a registration form can be secured by contacting Shirley Reekie at 408/924-3010. -28-Eastin Named Legislator of the Year For her consistent and proactive support of CAHPERD issues, and for her personal habits which model an active, healthy lifestyle, the Executive Committee, upon recom-mendation of the Legislative Committee, approved the nomination of Delaine Eastin, Superintendent of Public Instruction, as CAHPERD Legislator of the Year for 1994. Prior to her election to California's highest post in K-12 education, Eastin served as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. Among other bills which were heard during her tenure in this position was the infamous "Hart bill", SB 200 I, which was designed to penn it the substitution of athletics for physical education in high school. CAHPERD members who testified were witness to the skillful and articulate manner in which Delaine Eastin convinced the Committee to defy the usually indefatigable Senator Gary Hart and defeat this proposal. Superintendent Eastin is an avid jogger and attempts to hit the pavement five days a week, because "it makes me feel better." During the Health Framework Conference last January, Superintendent Eastin was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from CAHPERD by Executive Director Phyllis Blatz. It is anticipated that Eastin will receive her Legislator of the Year award on Sunday, March 3rd during the first general session at the CAHPERD state conference in Santa Clara. 

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Chi gong--An exercise for internal health

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