What is Qigong?

Qigong is an ancient form of traditional Chinese exercise, meditation in motion, through which a person creates a connection with the surrounding environment, gets to know oneself, improves well-being and overall quality of life. It is both a method of recovery and the art of living in harmony with nature, as well as a path of spiritual self-development.

The concept of Qigong in Chinese is described by two hieroglyphs, “qi” internal energy, life energy or life force and “gong” work, control. So Qi Gong means energy control or working with life force. It should be noted that the Chinese hieroglyph “qi” has other meanings and one of them is “air"” so it would also be correct to say that qigong is breathing exercise, work with air and breath.

Qigong is the art of using Qi energy: obtaining it from the environment, transforming and radiating it. In a broader sense, qigong is the art of maintaining good health; it is also a kind of philosophy, a way of thinking to establish a connection between a person, the surrounding world and the universe.

Thanks to qigong, people change their thinking, perception of the world and, by performing certain exercises, gain peace, relieve chronic pain, improve concentration and coordination, gain the wholeness of mind, body and spirit, and enable awareness of the important feeling of “here and now”.

The three treasures of Qigong

Intention, movement and breath are the three cornerstones of qigong exercise, or the “Three treasures”. All three are equally important; it is impossible to separate them from each other. Intention or thought moves the qi, while qi moves the blood, muscles and body, breathing provides fresh qi from the air and helps get rid of unnecessary qi, while movement helps energy flow through the body, bringing calmness, balance, wholeness, joy and creativity.