Shifu Yan Lei - Genuine Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong & Rou Quan

An ancient technique, which was originally devised to help improve the health of Shaolin monks when they were sitting in lengthy meditation sessions, may hold the key to preventing stress and health problems at work.

At the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Sweden. Qi Gong was shown to reduce blood pressure, noradrenaline excretion in urine, and influence the heart rate and temperature, indicating reduced activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Qigong also reduced low-back symptoms. (Full details of the study below.)

Shifu Yan Lei, who is a 34th generation fighting disciple from the Shaolin Temple in China, and is now based in the UK, says: “ Qi Gong was originally taught by the founder of Zen Buddhism; Bodhidharma. Seeing that his monks were tired from extensive meditation, he composed a set of dynamic exercises to give them energy and strengthen their body.”

Qi Gong is a moving meditation, which works on the same scientific principle as acupuncture. It is practiced by millions of people in China and is becoming increasingly popular in the West as people seek longevity, stress reduction and improved health through mind-body practices like qigong.

Some people call it a Chinese yoga but unlike yoga, it needs no equipment and very little space; some of the movements can even be done from an office chair.

“I advise my students to stop working every few hours and do a little Qi Gong,” says Shifu Yan Lei. “ In the future, instead of taking a cigarette break, I hope they will take a Qi break.”

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Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.

Chinese research indicates that the Qigong method reduces psychosomatic and physical symptoms through an effect on the sympathetic nervous system.

Objectives The aim was to investigate the effects of Qigong on stress among computer operators.

Design Ten women were included in a Qigong group and an equal number in a control group. Heart rate, blood pressure, and finger temperature were measured at the beginning and at the end of the working day during 5 weeks. twenty four-hours urine samples were collected in the first and last weeks to measure catecholamine excretion in urine. Participants kept a daily record of psychological measures of strain and weekly measures of stress levels.

Results and conclusions Qigong reduced noradrenaline excretion in urine (p < 0.05), and influenced the heart rate and temperature, indicating reduced activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, Qigong reduced low-back symptoms (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Qigong exercise may reduce stress at computerised work.

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