Liu Guizhen (劉貴珍) ( September 1, 1920 - December 27, 1983 ) - a Chinese doctor, one of the supporters and popularizers of ancient Chinese methods of treatment with the help of physical and respiratory gymnastics. Director of a sanatorium in the city of Beidaihe (China), author of several books that introduced the world to the Chinese traditional gymnastics Taijiquan and Tao Yin.
At the age of 27, in 1948, he worked in a liberated area in the southern part of Hebei Province. Suffering with several chronic diseases was recognized by colleagues as incurable from the point of view of classical medicine. He was diagnosed with severe stomach ulcer, neurasthenia and tuberculosis. From weakness he could not even walk. For a long time, many doctors of Chinese and European medicine provided him with help, but there was no hope of recovery. [one]
Liu returned to his home in Beixian County, Hebei Province, where, on the advice of the folk healer, Liu Zhuzhou began to be treated with Chinese gymnastics methods.
The method of treatment consisted in the performance of motor, breathing exercises and diet. After 100 days, noticeable improvements and signs of cure for stomach ulcers and tuberculosis were diagnosed. After that, he returned to his regular work as a doctor. As a result, he was sent to Liu Zhuzhou by the medical authorities of the People’s Republic of China to study his treatment method. After mastering the method of treatment, he received support from the people's government, in particular from the President of the PRC - Liu Shaoqi went to the southern part of Hebei Province to practice. [2]
In 1949, Liu Guizhen coined the term "qigong" to refer to health promoting and life-prolonging practices. [3]
As a result of clinical trials, this method of gymnastics treatment and breathing has been recognized as effective in treating ulcers, dyspepsia, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, general weakness, and certain other chronic diseases. [China Magazine, September 1956]
From 1954 to 1956, Liu Guizhen took part in the construction and organization of sanatoriums in the city of Tanshan and in Beidaihe, where they began to apply the method of treatment he distributed.
In the period from 1953 to 1964, he wrote several medical articles and books on Chinese fitness gymnastics. The book, which became the classic "Practical Qigong Therapy", was translated into 14 languages. Since then, the name "qigong-therapy" has become widely used to refer to all types of art associated with "qi" or energy. [four]
During the Cultural Revolution, he was repressed and imprisoned, from 1964 to 1980 he was not able to carry out official medical activities. After 1980 he was amnestied. Currently, his daughter Liu Yafei is the director of a sanatorium and hospital in Beidaihe [5] .
Bibliography
- New method of treating diseases. Liu-Gui-Zheng. (Deputy Director of the Baidahe Sanatorium). Magazine "China". September 1956.
- Liu Guizhen 劉貴珍, Qigong Liaofa Shijian 氣功 療法 實踐 (Shijiazhuang: Hebei renmin Chubanshe, 1957)
- Krasnoselsky G. I. Ancient Chinese hygienic gymnastics for the elderly / Dr. med. Sciences prof. G. I. Krasnoselsky. - Moscow: Medgiz, 1958. - 14 p. : il.
- Chinese hygienic gymnastics Tai-ji: (Elements of exercises) / G. I. Krasnoselsky, prof. - Kiev: Gosmedizdat of the Ukrainian SSR, 1960. - 20 p. : il.
- Site dedicated to Liu Guizheng (Chinese language)
Notes
- ↑ Krasnoselsky G. I. “Ancient Chinese hygienic gymnastics for the elderly”. - Moscow: Medgiz, 1958. - 14 p., Ill.
- ↑ Chinese Society: Change, Conflict and Resistance. Elizabeth J. Perry, Mark Selden. Routledge, 2010 p. 344
- ↑ Voigt, John. "The Man Who Invented" Qigong ". Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness. (Autumn 2013) 23 (3): 28-33.
- ↑ Vaughn Kyu Keith. The art of qigong. M., Fair-Press. ISBN 978-5-8183-1257-6
- ↑ Liu Ya Fei (刘亚 非) (2010). "The History of Nei Yang Gong Qigong". Beidaihe China: National Medical Qigong Hospital and Training Facility.