What is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) is an ancient Chinese practice with a history spanning thousands of years. It has been practiced for many purposes, including supporting physical and mental well-being, developing strength and awareness, cultivating vitality, and encouraging personal and spiritual growth.
The word Qigong combines two concepts: “Qi,” often translated as vital life energy, and “Gong,” meaning skill developed through dedicated practice. Qigong brings these ideas together through gentle movement, mindful breathing, meditation, and focused awareness to help cultivate and balance the body’s energy.
From a Western perspective, Qi can be thought of as the dynamic energy involved in the body’s natural processes. While there is no exact Western equivalent for the concept of Qi, it is sometimes compared to the body’s bioelectric or energetic processes.
There are many different styles and traditions of Qigong, each with its own movements, practices, and philosophy. At its heart, Qigong is an accessible practice that can be adapted to people of different ages and abilities. While even occasional practice can be beneficial, regular practice allows you to develop greater awareness, skill, and connection with your body and energy over time.
Qigong is an invitation to slow down, connect with yourself, and cultivate greater balance, vitality, and well-being.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong, Qi (pronounced “chee”) is understood as the vital energy that supports life and the body’s natural functions. Qigong practices are designed to cultivate, balance, and encourage the smooth movement of Qi throughout the body.
Qigong brings together movement, breath, posture, and focused awareness. By practicing these elements together, we develop a deeper awareness of the body and create space to release unnecessary tension, regulate the breath, quiet the mind, and connect more deeply with our own energy.
Many Qigong practices also work with the body's meridian system—a network of pathways described in Chinese medicine through which Qi flows. Gentle movements, stretching, shifting weight, and coordinated breathing can be used to stimulate and support the flow of Qi along these pathways.
One of the unique aspects of Qigong is that several practices are brought together at once. Rather than separating movement, breathing exercises, meditation, posture, and energy awareness, Qigong integrates them into one practice.
The 3 Pillars of Qigong
The foundation of Qigong can be understood through three interconnected elements: Body, Breath, and Mind.
1. Body
The body provides the foundation for Qigong practice. Movements are generally slow, gentle, and intentional, with an emphasis on posture, alignment, relaxation, and awareness.
When the body is properly aligned and unnecessary tension is released, movement becomes more natural and effortless. Qigong encourages us to become more aware of how we stand, move, and carry ourselves while developing greater connection with the body.
2. Breath
The breath connects the body and mind and provides a natural rhythm for Qigong practice. Breathing is generally comfortable and unforced, and may be coordinated with movement or practiced independently during stillness.
Because breathing is something we can experience both automatically and consciously, it provides a powerful way to bring our attention into the present moment. Focusing on the breath can help us become more aware of our internal state and deepen our connection between body and mind.
3. Mind
Focused awareness is an important part of Qigong. During practice, we bring our attention inward and develop greater awareness of the body, breath, movement, and energy.
In Chinese medicine and Qigong, Yi is often translated as intention or focused awareness. Rather than simply moving through exercises mechanically, Qigong encourages us to practice with presence and purpose.
Bringing Body, Breath & Mind Together
The three pillars of Qigong are not separate practices. They work together.
As we move the body, coordinate the breath, and direct our awareness, we develop a deeper connection between our physical, mental, and energetic experiences. With regular practice, Qigong can become a way to cultivate greater body awareness, relaxation, balance, vitality, and overall well-being.
Qigong is a practice that is learned through experience. Rather than simply understanding the concepts intellectually, regular practice allows you to develop greater sensitivity to your body, breath, mind, and energy over time.
Start cultivating your own Qigong practice today! Join us in Tahoe for a Qigong class, join us online for a Qi meditation, or book a Medical Qigong session to balance your body's Qi.