練功養生防老的現代解讀

A Modern Interpretation of Exercises Taiji & Qigong for Health Preservation

中華文化中的養生防老範圍，要比一般理解中的保養、長壽廣泛。在保持健康之外，還包括了「治未病」的概念。中醫的「治未病」，固然包括了預防生病的意義，但在此之外還要求個人的積極追求，針對自己的需要：即從感覺、經驗、認識、觀察等多方面的理性分析，去制定一個適合自己的保持健康，防止生病的方案。全面的方案，自然包括食品的選擇，生活習慣的調協（免除有害健康的活動），加上適當的肢體鍛煉，所謂「練功」也。
本文集中討論肢體鍛煉。從最簡單的體操，到使用器械輔助，到當前時髦的「取氧運動」，都包括了肢體鍛煉。更常見的理解是體能訓練。本文選用「練功」，代替習慣用語，目的在突出養生防老的肢體鍛煉，固然產生體能增進的效果，但其目的，其實是超越體能，或肢體動作的。練功同時與武術相連，可是養生防老的練功，又與打武無關，只不排除，武術對養生練功，具備參考和指導性的意義而已。

Yoga originated from India and is becoming popular worldwide. Qigong originated from China and is less known outside China. Interestingly, both Indian Yoga and Chinese Qigong emphasize on three common components in their fundamental practices, viz. (i) stretching of muscles, tendons and ligaments when thousands of proprioceptive receptors which initiate the “gate theory” of neurological control of pain perception are stimulated; (ii) controlled breathing which harmonizes the somatic and autonomic systems of neurological activities; and (iii) the wonderful outcome after such simple voluntary efforts, a state of tranquility of the mind, which could be understood as Meditation. A comprehensive review on the reports on Yoga and Qigong practices affecting the physiological processes and mental states of the practitioners is completed to provide reliable information about the value of the practices. Result of the review shows that there are sufficient evidences today, after many carefully planned research studies, on the supportive effects of both Yoga and Qigong on not only neuromuscular pathologies but also problems in cardiovascular, pulmonary and most remarkably, mental health. Yoga and Qigong practices are good for both the body and mind.