Qigong is a “unique flower” in the treasure trove of Chinese medicine, a form of medical and health exercise with national characteristics in the heritage of traditional Chinese medicine.
When it comes to qigong, many practitioners immediately think of Guo Lin Qigong, leading to doubts about its effectiveness in fighting cancer. Does Guo Lin Qigong really have anti-cancer effects?
Qigong is a traditional Chinese health preservation method. In ancient times, it was known as “Dan Dao” and utilized adjustments in breathing, body movements, and consciousness (调息, tiáo xī; adjusting breath, 调身, tiáo shēn; adjusting body, 调心, tiáo xīn; adjusting mind) to strengthen the body, prevent and treat diseases, promote longevity, and develop potential.
Guo Lin Qigong, also known as “New Qigong Therapy,” belongs to the Tuna School of qigong. Its principle is to perform a special breathing method of “inhale-exhale” to take in a large amount of oxygen, combining physical movements, mental guidance, and internal focus to regulate the patient’s immune function and organ functions.
Is Guo Lin Qigong really effective?
The answer is that it has certain effects.
Teacher Guo Lin himself is the best answer to this question. In early 1949, he was diagnosed with uterine cancer and underwent a total hysterectomy. In the 1950s, cancer was found to have metastasized to his bladder. After surgery, Teacher Guo Lin improved and designed ancient qigong techniques he learned in childhood based on the theory of Chinese meridians (经络学说, jīng luò xué shuō) and found that this new qigong therapy indeed had significant therapeutic effects. This result has been validated by many patients in society.
The author of “Analysis of the Physiological Effects of Guo Lin New Qigong in Cancer Treatment,” scholar Li Daoxian, also indirectly confirms this issue through practicing Guo Lin New Qigong to aid in the treatment of esophageal cardia cancer.
Reminder
Whether it is Teacher Guo Lin or scholar Li Daoxian, practicing qigong is based on receiving scientifically standardized treatment.
It is important to understand that Guo Lin Qigong, Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and other exercises are merely supportive fitness activities for recovery. Therefore, practitioners should not naively believe that simply relying on practicing Guo Lin Qigong or Ba Duan Jin can make tumors disappear; this is not advisable.
What is the pathological mechanism of qigong in fighting cancer?
01
Increased oxygen intake, elevated blood oxygen levels
Lack of oxygen is the source of all diseases. Tumor cells, due to non-functional blood vessels and rapid proliferation of cancer cells, lead to a lack of oxygen supply to cellular tissues. At the same time, studies have found that cancer cells can initiate special transcription processes in this hypoxic microenvironment, increasing the proliferation rate of tumors.
Image source: Shetu Network
Guo Lin Qigong emphasizes a large intake of oxygen, which essentially aims to enhance the patient’s immune system. The air in the atmosphere contains rich atmospheric ions, which can stimulate the respiratory circulation of the body, enhance the patient’s hematopoietic function, and expel turbid air from the body through regular breathing.
Tip
Guo Lin Qigong allows cancer patients to practice at a slow, medium, or fast pace according to their condition and physical strength, enabling them to inhale a large amount of fresh oxygen during practice.
02
Combining sound emission to improve cardiopulmonary function
What is sound emission? Sound emission refers to deep and prolonged deep breathing, followed by compensatory breathing, which is accomplished by actively adjusting the depth of breathing.
Some have compared the breathing frequency of Guo Lin Qigong with that of conventional exercises and found:
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The breathing frequency during natural practice in Guo Lin Qigong is equivalent to sprinting or middle-distance running;
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The fast practice breathing frequency is equivalent to middle-distance running;
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The very fast practice breathing frequency is equivalent to middle- and long-distance running.
Image source: Shetu Network
Of course, the depth and intensity of breathing in qigong are not comparable to running, but its frequency is fast, and the volume of air intake and output increases, positively impacting the body’s cardiopulmonary function and disease resistance.
Scholar Li Jiaqing has used audio instruments and computers to explore the effects of sound emission on the human body, finding that sound emission can enhance the excitability of brain nerve cells, promote blood circulation, enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, and increase metabolism, with clinical efficacy comparable to that of medications.
03
Comprehensive regulation of the neuro-endocrine-immune system
It is important to understand that the focus of qigong in fighting cancer is on the overall balance of yin and yang, rather than directly eliminating tumor cells.
Professor Yu Cunren from Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital points out that practicing qigong can reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, thereby lowering plasma dopamine and reducing renin activity, putting the body in a “relaxed” state; while enhancing brain function, it also lowers the body’s basal metabolism.
Additionally, qigong training can affect changes in central mediators and endocrine functions, prolong cellular aging, and enhance immune function.
04
Group practice to improve emotions
The greatest enemy during cancer treatment may be oneself. Dr. Lei Jiunan from the American Cancer Research Center believes that emotions and physiological functions are closely related; low mood and life stress can lead to reduced immune function.
The most important aspect of practicing Guo Lin Qigong is to eliminate emotional disturbances and emphasize a calm and peaceful mind. This mental work is crucial both before and during practice.
Key Points to Note When Practicing Guo Lin Qigong
01
Correct mindset
If you choose to practice Guo Lin Qigong, you must first have confidence in yourself and believe in it. During practice, it is best to eliminate distractions to achieve a relaxed and natural state.
Here, “relaxed” refers to the relaxation of muscles and mental focus. “Calm” means eliminating distractions and calming the mind. “Natural” refers to the posture, breathing method, and mental focus during practice, which should be natural and not forced or overly pursued.
02
Understanding the principles is important
It is essential to clarify that the purpose of practicing Guo Lin Qigong is to overcome illness, so theoretical preparation before formal practice is crucial. Practicing qigong is not merely physical exercise; it emphasizes the combination of posture, breathing, and mental focus, unifying physical exercise with consciousness.
03
Moderation is key
Everything requires moderation, and practice should also be appropriately timed. The best time to practice is generally in the morning, as the saying goes, “The morning is the key to the day.” Of course, it depends on individual schedules. It is important to maintain consistency regardless of the chosen time. For health maintenance, daily practice should be no less than 1 hour, and for therapeutic purposes, it should be no less than 3 hours.
Reminder
Practitioners should consider their physical condition, seasonal characteristics, and environmental conditions when practicing qigong.
04
Progress gradually and persistently
Guo Lin Qigong emphasizes the interdependence of intention, breath, and form. “Intention” refers to the use of mental focus; “breath” refers to the use of breathing and the flow of internal energy; “form” refers to the physical movements and actions during practice. One should follow the principle of “natural law” to achieve the level where intention guides breath, and breath guides form, reaching a state of harmony between mind and breath.
Image source: Shetu Network
Rushing for quick results can lead to many adverse consequences; conversely, being lax in practice will not yield the desired effects. Avoid the mentality of “three days of fishing, two days of drying the net” and practice inconsistently.
05
Good lifestyle habits
Healthy living starts with good habits. Moderation in smoking and drinking is the most basic and should be prioritized; additionally, maintaining healthy dietary principles and regular sleep schedules is also important.
Reminder
Due to the verifiable anti-cancer effects of Guo Lin Qigong, various training institutions and “teachers” have emerged in the market. Therefore, practitioners should be cautious in identifying “unethical” institutions.
1. Anyone claiming that practicing alone can eliminate the need for hospital visits or medications is a fraud! Qigong can achieve certain anti-cancer effects, but it absolutely cannot replace the clinical treatment methods of formal medical institutions and professionals.
2. Be cautious of any training materials that are excessively expensive.
3. Be wary of teachers who encourage “one-on-one” teaching. Most genuine qigong practitioners practice in groups, which is one reason why practicing qigong can aid in fighting cancer. Additionally, during practice, one should learn to communicate with peers to correct mistakes in practice.
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Cover image source: Gaoding Design
Editor: Mi Jian Liao Liao
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