If you have found this website you may already have knowledge of what qigong (also known as qi gong, chi kung, chi gung) is but in very simple terms it means working with your life energy (qi/chi). The movements and exercises, now referred to as qigong, have been in existence for more than two thousand years in China and there are hundreds of different forms. Some of the exercises are more physically demanding than others , however, there are many exercises that can be done sitting rather than standing. As there are so many variants of qigong it is not possible to know them all, however, you may notice that there are similarities in some of the movements in different forms of qigong and they often have similar names.
It is important to note that there are many different levels of qigong that can be experienced as you get more proficient in the movement of the internal energy (qi/chi) within the body. As with many of the internal arts it can become a lifelong study to continually develop your level of skill.
Qigong, if practiced every day, can be of benefit to your health and wellbeing and often the question is – how long should I practice every day? To go through a session of opening and loosening the joints, settling the body into the correct posture, going through the qigong form and then closing down could take an hour or longer. However, even 15 minutes every day will be of benefit as it is better to have a regular practice rather than do 2 hours one day and then nothing for the next 6 days. You may find, as I have done, that once you have a regular practice you start to incorporate qigong into your everyday life.
What are the benefits of qigong?
In addition to anecdotal evidence from individuals there have been specific studies assessing the benefits of qigong and taiji and the following are links to websites that present information from the studies. Please click on the links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24559833
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11696251/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28735824
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359459/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424182/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15905884/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15173671/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17080541/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28735824
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15161452/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28953263
Qigong practice can help with balance and posture.
Qigong practice can help maintain and develop the strength in the legs. The exercises also help to maintain and improve the flexibility of the back and the hips.
Qigong practice can help to improve the lung capacity and slow the rate of breathing as it becomes more efficient. The breathing exercises can help during stressful situations and allow the individual to be more calm.
Overall qigong practice can help you maintain a sense of balance in your life.
Fleet Qigong for Health and Wellbeing 