Qi Gong Definition

Qi (pronounced "chee") is a person's personal energy source, and qi gong (pronounced "chee gong") is the Chinese technique of controlling that energy. By doing so, a person is said to be able to maximize personal health, influence the healing of others, and generally become more in tune with his or her body in order to increase concentration, awareness and so forth.

Shamanism

• Qi gong has been around since ancient Chinese times, when shamans would practice it in order to use and strengthen their supposed healing powers.

Function

• Through meditation, specific body movements and breathing techniques, practitioners of qi gong are said to be able to become aware of their body's energy and use that energy to better themselves physically and mentally.

Martial Arts

• Martial artists regularly employ qi gong in their warm-ups and practice sessions. It is said to help increase their spatial awareness and generally improve their performance.

Medicine

• Qi gong is a type of traditional Chinese medicine. Although its scientific merits are unproven, qi gong is practiced throughout the world, including in western cultures.

Spirituality

• Taoism and Buddhism are two Eastern religions that both speak of qi gong. Buddhists created a variety of qi gong techniques, while the idea of qi is spoken of in Taoist holy books.