The concept of Qigong revolves around performing guided movements to manage the flow of vital energy (qi) in a slow, gentle, and consistent way. This helps to balance the nervous system, reducing brain discomfort linked to stress and fatigue, while also rejuvenating the brain. When practiced properly, Qigong can harness the mind’s subjective initiative, significantly enhancing the body’s self-regulating abilities to improve brain health and overall wellness.
Practicing Qigong can promote brain growth.
Recent studies show that with the right mental stimulation, brain nerve cells can regenerate. In simpler terms, through regular and effective mental engagement, the brain can heal itself continuously, much like how skin repairs itself, compensating for dying cells.
During Qigong practice, individuals enter a focused state of concentration. This enhanced mental control can lead to a significant increase in brain volume, the size of nerve cells, and the quantity of specific brain cells. With ongoing and effective practice, brain cells can maintain their vitality as we age, allowing various parts of the brain to keep growing and improving cognitive function and intelligence, even into our seventies, eighties, and beyond.
Practicing Qigong is beneficial for whole-brain thinking.
The left and right sides of the brain perform different functions and operate at varying speeds during intellectual tasks. Depending on the specific activity, these two hemispheres alternate in dominance, frequently changing their roles. When thoughts hover between being and not being, or during deep contemplation and creative thinking, both hemispheres work together in a harmonious and synchronized manner. Researchers refer to this phenomenon as “brain synchronization” or “whole-brain thinking.”
In the state induced by Qigong practice, the electrical activity of both hemispheres of the brain can sometimes be synchronized, leading to a state of extreme relaxation. It is in this state that intellectual abilities are developed, memory is enhanced, creativity is stimulated, problem-solving skills are improved, deep memory is accessed, and perceptual abilities are strengthened. It can feel as if the brain is being rewired, existing in a new way, accepting new ideas, thinking in a new manner, and possessing new abilities.
Practicing Qigong is beneficial for brain self-regulation.
The scientific community has long believed that the various states of the brain are different patterns produced by the brain’s electrochemical activity. Most of the brain’s activities, such as the rhythm of its electrical activity and the secretion of chemical substances, are, like the human nervous system, not controlled by conscious thought. Now, scientists have discovered that any state of the brain can be altered or reproduced through external stimuli. Biofeedback research has demonstrated that as long as individuals are aware of their own consciousness, they can learn to control it.
Qigong practice can regulate the functions of the neuro-humoral system, controlling nerve-innervated visceral activities and thus regulating human life activities. For example, during Qigong practice, when the practitioner enters a state of tranquility, the frontal cortex can influence the hypothalamus and pituitary gland through specific pathways, prompting the anterior pituitary to increase the secretion of neurotransmitters such as endorphins. These opioid substances in the brain can produce feelings of pleasure and, through receptors distributed throughout the body, enhance the body’s self-regulatory capabilities, bringing the functions of the mind and body to an optimal state.
In summary, engaging in Qigong is a fantastic activity that enhances brain function and overall wellness for individuals. The longer one practices and the more suitable the methods used, the better the brain regulation becomes, which in turn maximizes the enhancement of nerve function and promotes brain development. This leads to increased intelligence and a greater capacity for advanced learning and self-improvement, fostering a beneficial and reinforcing cycle.
Moreover, practicing Qigong can help combat mental decline, address learning disabilities, and treat various brain-related issues. It can boost intelligence, slow down the aging of the brain, and enhance learning capabilities.
To learn more about Qigong, make sure to check out the book “Qigong for Better Mind and Body Health”. It’s available on Amazon, or you can download it to your favorite electronic device using your preferred app. Here is a sample of the book.