QIGONG
Qìgōng (Chee'-gung):
Ancient Energy You Can Use Today for Healing and Vitality.
Don't let the name scare you. When some people hear the “ch” sound coming out of the letter “Q” their brain falls into a tailspin from which they can’t recover.
I hope you’re still here. This could change your life.
Qigong invites you to slow down—and in doing so, heal, strengthen, and rebalance. It all happens from within. This centuries-old Chinese practice combines breath, gentle movement, and focused intention to restore the smooth flow of qi—the vital energy believed to animate all life.
Qigong Regenerates Your Body.
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Increases your energy and vitality
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Reduces stress levels and anxiety
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Relieves aches, pains and tightness
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Heals old injuries
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Brings better sleep and emotional balance
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Improves immune system
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Enhances flexibility, posture, and circulation
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Gives you a deeper connection to yourself and your surroundings
Science is catching up to what practitioners have known for thousands of years: Qigong works.
It's free. You can start today. And all you need is the device you’re using right now.
“The breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.”
— THICH NHAT HANH
A Secret Tradition,
Now Open to Anyone
For most of its long history, qigong was not something you could find on the internet. Passed quietly from teacher to student, its methods were preserved in temples, family lineages, and martial arts schools. Its movements were often considered sacred — not to be shared casually, and certainly not taught en masse.
But times have changed. As qigong gained recognition for its healing potential, especially during the 20th century, various branches emerged. Today, its benefits are available to anyone wise enough to give it a go — no longer confined to the privileged few.
While some schools emphasize martial power, spiritual development, or esoteric cultivation, a growing movement focuses on Qigong for healing and vitality.
Qigong is accessible, gentle, and remarkably effective.
I began practicing qigong for healing. After three months I said to my wife, “I don't know anything about this chee stuff, but after practice I just feel amazing.”
Cultivating this “chee stuff” (it’s “qi” as you know), cultivating this qi has been the key to unlocking new superpowers for healing and also for vitality.
You have within you now the ability to expand your life force energy to hit levels you never thought you had.
“Conscious breathing is the most effective tool for reducing stress and enhancing focus available to us—anytime, anywhere.”
— JAMES NESTOR
AUTHOR OF BREATH
What Is Qi, Really?
The word qi (yes, pronounced “chee”) can be translated as “life force” or “vital energy.” It’s not just metaphor — traditional Chinese medicine sees qi as a real, dynamic force flowing through the body via energy pathways called meridians.
When qi is abundant and balanced, we feel vibrant and alive. When it’s blocked or depleted, we feel tired, stressed, or unwell.
Qigong is the art of cultivating this life energy — using slow, mindful movement, breathing techniques, and mental focus to strengthen and regulate your internal flow of qi. It's like tuning your instrument before you play brilliantly the song of life.
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
— THICH NHAT HANH
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science
For centuries, qigong masters described subtle flows of energy and balance in the body.
Now, science is beginning to map some of the same patterns through modern research.
Fascia:
The Body’s Hidden Web
Qigong speaks of energy moving through channels that connect the whole body.
Today, fascia research reveals a living connective tissue network that transmits force, fluid, and even electrical signals.
Science is gradually beginning to see what practitioners have felt for millenia.
Breath and
the Nervous System
Slow, mindful breathing is central in qigong. Neuroscience now shows that deliberate breath directly influences the vagus nerve, calming the stress response, lowering blood pressure, and steadying the mind.
Circulation and
Gentle Movement
Qigong’s flowing motions are said to “open the channels” and bring vitality.
Recent studies show that slow, rhythmic movement boosts microcirculation and nitric oxide release, improving oxygen flow and vessel health. The gentle way, it turns out, is powerful medicine.
What qigong masters have practiced for centuries, science is gradually confirming — making this ancient art as relevant as ever to your well-being today.
Simple, Yet Profound
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You don’t need to be flexible.
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You don’t need gear.
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You don’t need more than a few feet of open space and a few quiet minutes.
Qigong requires way less than most forms of exercise, yet offers benefits that ripple through the body, mind, and spirit.
With hundreds — even thousands — of qigong forms practiced across cultures and lineages, it’s virtually impossible for one person to master them all.
The variety of practices available to you make it easy to keep things fresh.
The beauty of qigong for health lies in its simplicity.
A handful of well-chosen movements, practiced with intention, can be enough to awaken your body’s healing capacity.
Before we step into practice, a gentle word about mindset. Try smiling to yourself as you begin. Even a small smile can send a signal of ease — one of harmony, compassion, and inner peace.
These are healing emotions, and qigong works best when you meet it with openness and care.
As with meditation, consistency matters more than duration. A short daily session — just 5 to 10 minutes — an bring meaningful results over time.
Scroll to get started.
Practice Qìgōng
Start Your Practice Now
We've gathered a selection of high-quality, free online qigong videos — led by skilled, trustworthy teachers — to help you take your first steps. These guided sessions are designed for all levels and focus on gentle movements that support healing and balance.
All you need is a little time, an open heart, and the willingness to begin.
There is plenty of free content to practice qigong entirely free of charge indefinitely. (But don't let me stop you from looking at what they might have to offer.)
Each of the teachers linked below has a good selection of free content available on YouTube. I can send you to their channels knowing you're in good hands.
Daily Energy Recharge
by Marisa at YOQI Yoga and Qigong
A gentle, well-paced Qigong flow designed to refresh your energy and calm your mind. Perfect as a morning pick-me-up or a reset any time of day. Marisa at YOQI introduced me to Qigong. I still practice with her videos often—especially when practicing Qigong with my granddaughters.
Level: All levels
Length: 18 min
Video by Marisa at YOQI, shared with appreciation.
7-Minute Qigong Routine – Easy Beginner Practice to Invigorate the Qi
by Jeffrey Chand of Qigong for Vitality
A quick, clinical-style Qigong practice focused on breathing and energy activation—great for busy days or when traveling. Jeffrey Chand is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His shorter routines are invaluable when you need a fast shot of energy for recovery.
Level: Beginners
Length: 7 min
Video by Jeffrey Chand, shared with appreciation.
10-Minute Qigong Routine for Self-Healing to Feel AMAZING
by White Tiger Qigong
A lively, energizing routine designed to wake up your body and boost your mood. White Tiger Qigong does a great job showing younger people that Qigong can transform energy and mood—even in just 10 minutes.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Length: 10 min
Video by White Tiger Qigong, shared with appreciation.
CIRCULATE BLOOD and QI |
10-Minute Qigong Daily Routine
by Qigong Meditation
Cleanse Blood, generate a smooth circulation flows inside the body, Boost Immunity and Restore Energy.
Why I Chose It: Qigong Meditation channel comes from the monastery of Thich Nhat Hanh. The monks and nuns have a good vibe.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Length: 10 min
Video by Qigong Meditation, shared with appreciation.
“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles
and the water is clear?”
— LAO TZU
Qìgōng Breathing
Qigong Breathing:
The Power of Calm in Motion
Breath is central to Qigong, but unlike seated breathwork traditions, here it often moves in harmony with gentle motion. These simple breathing patterns help calm the nervous system, open energy channels (known as meridians), and cultivate awareness in the lower belly — the Dan Tian — a key reservoir of vitality in traditional Chinese medicine.
Whether you're breathing with stillness or while slowly moving the arms and spine, the aim is the same: soften tension, guide energy, and return to a quiet center. Below are a few short, beginner-friendly videos to help you feel the rhythm of Qigong breath for yourself.
Begin Where You Are
Qigong meets you quietly—right where you are. There’s no rush, no competition, and no wrong place to start. Just breath, attention, and a little movement. Over time, the simple rhythms of Qigong can soften tension, build vitality, and return you to a steady center.
If something here caught your attention, trust that. Try one breath. Try one video. Or just stand for a moment and notice how it feels to pause.
You don’t have to believe in anything to begin. You just have to begin.
Qigong Breathing: Explanations, Theory, and Detail
by Tai Chi Foundation
Offers clear, concise teaching about breath in Qigong—how it flows, why it matters, and how posture plays a role. This one fills in the “why” behind the breath. Worth watching if you’re curious how breath connects to energy, focus, and movement.
Audience or Level: Beginner to curious practitioners
Length: 10 min
Video by Tai Chi Foundation, shared with appreciation.
CALM Your BODY and MIND — Do This Breathing Exercise Daily
by Qigong Meditation
A peaceful one-minute practice that emphasizes breath and presence. This is a go-to for a quick reset, to bring balance and draw new energy.
Level: Beginner
Length: 1 min
Video by Qigong Meditation, shared with appreciation.
3-Minute Qi Gong Breathing Exercise for Less Stress and More Energy
by Lee Holden of Holden QiGong
Breath takes center stage in this classic Qigong movement: Heart to the Sky. Try this one when your energy’s off. It’s quick, calming, and easy to carry with you throughout the day.
Audience or Level: Beginners
Length: 3 min
Video by Lee Holden of Holden QiGong, shared with appreciation.
Qigong Exercise Dan Tian Breathing
Creator: Jeffrey Chand of Qigong For Vitality
Why Chosen: Focused instruction in Dan Tian breathing—rooted, calming, and clear. A great next step if you’ve already tried some gentle Qigong. This one builds awareness in the body’s center.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Length: 7 min
Video by Qigong For Vitality, shared with appreciation.