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Qigong 氣功 Qìgōng
ChinaEast AsiaInternal / HealthChinese InternalShaolin lineage
'Energy work'. Coordinated breathing, posture, movement and focused intention used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daoist and Buddhist cultivation and martial training. Standardized health qigong includes Baduanjin, Yijinjing, Wuqinxi and Liuzijue.
Go deeper: Qigong sets with animated movements.
Key characteristics
- Regulate body, breath and mind (tiao shen, tiao xi, tiao xin)
- Medical, martial and spiritual branches
- Gentle and adaptable for seated or limited-mobility practice
Forms & curriculum
- Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade)
- Yijinjing (Muscle-Tendon Change)
- Wuqinxi (Five Animals Frolic)
- Liuzijue (Six Healing Sounds)
- Zhan Zhuang
- Taiji Qigong Shibashi 18
What training looks like
Training usually begins with standing posture (zhan zhuang), breathing and slow solo forms. Partner drills such as push hands come later, followed by applications and weapons. Progress shows up as relaxation, root and coordination rather than belts.
Questions to ask a school
- Is the teacher's lineage clear, and are they open about it?
- Can you watch or try a class first?
- Are seated or adapted options offered?
- How is class time split between forms, standing and partner work?
Quick facts
| Origin | China |
|---|---|
| Era / founder | Ancient (Daoyin texts 168 BCE); term popularized 1950s |
| Family | Chinese Internal |
| Type | Internal / Health |
Related philosophy
- Yin and Yang 陰陽 – Complementary opposites – soft/hard, empty/full, open/close – whose constant interchange is the basis of tai chi movement and TCM diagnosis.
- Wuji (Limitless) 無極 – Undifferentiated stillness before yin–yang; the standing posture that begins and ends every form.
- Qi 氣 – Vital energy or breath that flows through meridians; cultivated by qigong and guided by intention (yi).
- Jing, Qi, Shen – Three Treasures 精氣神 – Essence, energy and spirit. Practice refines jing into qi and qi into shen.
- Dantian 丹田 – 'Elixir field' – the lower dantian below the navel is the body's centre of gravity and energy reservoir.
- Meridians (Jingluo) 經絡 – The channel network carrying qi to the organs; acupuncture, tuina and qigong all work with them.
- Zang-Fu Organs 臟腑 – Five yin (zang) and six yang (fu) organ systems; each qigong movement often targets one.
- Five Elements (Wu Xing) 五行 – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water – cycles of generation and control, mapped to organs, emotions and Xingyi's five fists.
- Zhan Zhuang (Standing Post) 站樁 – Standing meditation to build structure, relaxation and qi.
- Microcosmic Orbit 小周天 – Circulating qi up the Du (governing) and down the Ren (conception) vessels in meditation.
- Fall Prevention & Balance Science — – Randomized trials show tai chi reduces falls in older adults – the CDC STEADI program recommends it.
- Neuroplasticity & Mindful Movement — – Learning new movement patterns with attention supports brain health, mood and proprioception.
Where to learn
- Begin with Breath Tai Chi – Dr Adam Potts, PT – Asheville, North Carolina (online), United States
- Shaolin Temple (Songshan Shaolin Monastery) – Dengfeng, Henan, China
- USA Shaolin Kung Fu Academy – Shifu Heng Chao – 969 Federal Blvd, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA – Shi Yanxu – Los Angeles, California, United States
- Shaolin Temple UK – Shifu Shi Yanzi – Tufnell Park, London, United Kingdom
- Shaolin Temple Europe – Shi Heng Yi – Otterberg (near Kaiserslautern), Germany
- Shaolin Training Bielefeld – Shi Yan Hai lineage – Bielefeld, Germany
- Shaolin Temple International Wushu Institute – Shi De Yang – Dengfeng, Henan, China
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