The truth is that there are many challenges that various lifestyles throw at us. According to various news and medical sources, rates of cancer, heart disease and stress-related illnesses are on the rise. Most of it can be blamed on our busy and hectic lifestyles that promote stress and also the various chemicals that have made its way into our food chain. Yet the fact of the matter is that while change is something that must be accepted various mechanisms need to be put in force that would help mitigate illnesses.
There has been a greater focus on health and wellbeing that has been put into place recently. All one has to do is to consider the great many gyms that are popping up all over the place, and the acceptance of alternative health practices that include yoga and Tai Chi. Into this particular fray, the art form known as Qigong makes its entrance and is geared to serve up a dose of wellbeing and health. It is under this particular backdrop that I can introduce our readers to Eranga Weerasinghe who is the General Manager of Lean Enterprise MOS at Bodyline.
Eranga is at present the committee member of the International Health Qigong Federation and the Secretary General of Sri Lankan Health Qigong Association. Apart from being an ardent and enthusiastic follower and practitioner including a trainer of Health Qigong, he also took part in Wushu between 2000 and 2006. Additionally he represented Sri Lanka in SAG Games and Basketball from 1999 to 2004.
Eranga is widely known in the martial arts circles, and has brought an incredible level of honor and distinction to Sri Lanka thanks to the numerous awards he has won. It needs to be mentioned with a sense of pride that he won 2 Gold medals at the 7th World Health Qigong Tournament that was recently held in Netherlands. The competition was certainly fierce for a discipline that has a huge global following. At this prestigious tournament there were 236 enthusiastic and eager participants representing 28 countries.
At this juncture, it would make sense to talk a bit about the history and various benefits of Qigong. The latter is an art form that is privileged to being over 4,000 years old; moreover, it is an art form that has strong roots in Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. If one were to simply explain Qigong from a practical standpoint, it should be stated that it is the simple practice of light rhythmic exercise coupled with breathing followed by a mind that is focused on the relevant routine of exercise.
That should do when it comes to giving Qigong a brief introduction as to its history; what should interest those aficionados of health and longevity are the various benefits that this martial art form offers. From helping to reduce stress to building stamina, to improving vitality, this is an art form that boasts of improving your cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory and lymphatic, and digestive functions. Having spent decades finding an outlet for his competitive nature, Eranga now focuses his energy and passion in bringing a gift of wellness to the general public in Sri Lanka. It seems that when it comes to life, all the old adages are true; the one that certainly rings a bell is — health is wealth. With that in mind along with the rates of disease being on the rise, it should be said that Qigong is certainly something that deserves to be looked into and practiced.
More information can be gathered by visiting the following Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/SriLankaHealthQigongAssociation/
Direct inquiries is possible with Eranga via — Eranga.weerasinghe@gmail.com
30 Benefits of Qigong
Loosens Muscles
Builds Power
Strengthens Organs
Slows Respiration
Strengthens Nerves
Builds Bone Density
Prevents Joint Injury
Strengthens Ligaments
Destroys Free Radicals
Increases Injury Recovery
Decreases Stress
Balances Emotions
Improves Circulation
Prevents Muscular Spasms
Reduces Pain
Lowers Heart Rate
Lowers Blood Pressure
Improves EKG
Improves Asthma
Relieves Bronchitis
Builds Immune System
Relieves Migraines
Decreases Stroke Risk
Improves Skin Elasticity
Improves Posture
Improves Flexibility
Increases Balance
Improves Memory
Helps In Digestion
Improves Kidney Function
Written by Rohitha Perera