Which is better, practicing qigong or playing sports? Well, this is like comparing apples and oranges. Both are fruit, both are found on farms, both are seasonal. Each one is certainly a healthful choice and rather than going into particular differences here, let’s look at qigong and sports.
Though there are many different forms of both qigong and also sports, there is overlap in their benefits. Each one exercises or expresses different aspects of our body-mind-energy, so which to practice depends on your personal situation, your particular goals, and resources. Sports are certainly enjoyable and exercise the physical body, senses, sportsmanship, and competition among other things. Some require special equipment, playing areas, or even club memberships. In general, sports train the musculo-skeletal-fascial system and cardiopulmonary system. Even perceptual systems are exercised when tracking a ball, a competitor, or even road hazards when cycling. Sports are fun and a great way to express and enjoy our qi life force. Recuperation generally comes after the game or activity and injury is often a risk.
On the other hand, qigong has very little in the way of equipment or space requirements. The main intention of qigong addresses our vital energy (qi) to open blocks in its flow, circulate it and ultimately store it for later use. This could be directed toward balancing yin and yang (expanding and condensing forces), for healing body and/or mind conditions, concentration in meditation, opening to the wisdom of the universe (no exaggeration here), and changing deep seated, no longer useful patterns to name a few.
Something else to consider is that historically we lived in a more physically stressful culture focused manual farming and physical labor. Today our stress comes more from our technological diet and its effects on our nervous system which in turn impacts many other systems of the body such as our immune and endocrine systems. Qigong is recuperative and “de-stressing” for the nervous system which in turn benefits related systems.
I have found in my practice not only physical benefits but I am also more available to inspiration and ideas that do not generate from my “thinking” mind. The inspirations or “ah ha!” moments arise from my subconscious mind; my “body-mind.” The only way to access this is through releasing the conscious mind and expanding into the universal realm and allowing the insights to arise from my physical and non-physical form. This is available to us all. I recall one of my brilliant teachers, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen the founder of Body-Mind Centering© saying that she is no smarter than anyone else but rather her insights (and dare I say wisdom) come from being open to the infinite knowledge of the universe which is available to everyone. Her teachings have deeply informed my learning, practice, and transmission of qigong systems I have learned from many other teachers. More on them later.
Qigong can help connect us to the present moment and to the greater realm of earth and heaven. Practicing qigong can reconnect us with our original comfort, peace and relationships to others and to the natural world. One could even say that it helps brighten our spirit.
Engaging in both sports play and qigong practice is ideal and provides a well-rounded package for fun and health. In this brief essay, I am sure to have left out many things. If you think of any, please feel free to let me know.
