Rhythmic movement regulates qi, promotes digestion

and blood flow and guards against disease.
Hua Tuo

"Nei Yang Gong Qigong"

Inner-Nourishing Qigong

Nei Yang Gong Qigong is a cultural legacy of ancient China dating back to the Qing Dynasty beginning with Master Hao Xiang Wu. It was first introduced as "medical qigong" by Dr. Liu Gui Zhen, the 6th successor of Nei Yang Gong. He is known as the "father" of "modern medical qigong". Dr. Liu Gui Zhen established the first medical qigong training base in China in 1956, called "Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital" in Beidaihe. During the Cultural Revolution, the hospital was closed and reopened in the 1970's. The hospital is the only "state approved"  medical qigong training base by the the China Health Ministry. It is also known as a "teaching base" where students from around the world come to learn Nei Yang Gong Qigong and Taijiquan, as well as receive "treatment".

In ancient times, Qigong was called the "method to eliminate diseases and prolong life". The term "Qigong" was first used in the 1970's by Dr. Liu Gui Zhen to define a health practice promoting exercise that emphasized "breath regulation". "Qi" meant "breath" and "Gong", or Gongfu, the exercise to promote the "Qi" or breath . Nei Yang Gong has a Quiescent Practice, known as "Jing Gong", Quiet Movement.Through breath regulation patterns, Yin Fa (Soft Respiration), Inhale, Exhale, Pause and Yang Fa (Hard Respiration) Inhale, Pause, Exhale, one could "move qi" through the channels of the body to balance energy and restore harmony to the essential substances and organ systems, creating a mental and physical calmness.

Dr. Liu Ya Fei, Dr. Liu Gui Zhen's daughter, is the 7th successor of Nei Yang Gong Qigong. She is a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, and with her indepth knowledge of qigong principles based in Nei Yang Gong, she choregraphed the movement practice known as "Nei Yang Gong Dong Gong". There are 24 forms. The first 12 are called "The Method of Strengthening Muscles and Regulating Qi" and the second 12 are called "The Method or Prolonging Life and Regulating Qi", also known as "Longevity Qigong". The forms utilize the breath regulation patterns: Yin Fa (Soft Respiration) and Yang Fa (Hard Respiration) and have specific movements for enhancing "qi" throughout the body. They are especially beneficial for the "spine".  Some of the basic movements include:

• Rotating, flexing and extending the spine: the spine moving up and down (sacrum, lumbar, thoracic, cervical and cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum) as well as a "spinal twist"
• Movement of the four limbs and active involvement of the shoulder, waist, hip and joints
• Strenghtening muscles through relaxation
• Tracking with the eyes
• Gathering and dispersing "qi" in and out of laogong
• "The mind remains calm, follows the movements, and the movements follow the mind"

Dr. Liu Yafei has also created Nu Zi Qigong, Women's Qigong,

especially effective for women.

Currently, Dr. Liu Yafei is the vice director of Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital and School. Nei Yang Gong is used in a clinical setting at the hospital for treating illnesses and scientific research. It is taught at the hospital and training base in China. Dr. Liu Yafei teaches internationally in Germany, France, UK, Japan, and America. She has published a book in German, "Innen Nahrendes Qigong - Neiyanggong" (Inner Nourishing Qigong - Neiyanggong). This book is used in Germany to train medical professionals in "medical qigong". The International Qigong Foundation, Inc. offers programs in Nei Yang Gong Qigong in China, Montana and Hawaii.