Qigong is a 5000 year old “energy strengthening art” that combines powerful breath techniques and slow body movement. Oprah Winfrey’s Dr. Oz recently praised Qigong in 2007 when he said, “If you want to live to be 100, do Qigong!” It was also rated as one of the top natural healing exercises for reversing cancer. There are literally thousands of forms of Qigong, and well-known practices like Tai Chi, Acupuncture and Feng Shui were born from Qigong’s concepts. Qi (or Chi) means “energy” or “life force”, and Gong means “skill”, making Qigong the practice of working with one’s life force.

Qigong is practiced with increasing popularity, with an estimated 200 million practitioners worldwide, and its health benefits have been studied for many years. Among its powerful health-promoting effects are: improved blood circulation and microcirculation in the forehead, stimulated appetite, sexual function and digestion, accelerated metabolism, increased mental acuity and focus, and increased energy. Many published studies are reporting the healing power of Qigong in diseases like arthritis, cancer, diabetes and heart disease, to name a few.

What is behind the healing power of Qigong, and what sets it apart from other exercises?

A person can circulate as much blood as jogging for 2 miles while standing perfectly still in Qigong. Ordinary exercises, like jogging, cause the release of Cortisol (also known as the “stress hormone”), which contracts blood vessels. In Qigong the body is totally relaxed, yet the blood is mobilized to flow powerfully. People feel increased pulsation of blood in their hands while making the slow movements. Because there is no stress response, the blood can enter areas that may have been blocked off for years. This is why Qigong is so good at reducing body pain. Microcirculation to the forehead is increased and digestion is greatly improved. No other exercise offers this level of circulation to organs and glands.

Breath is also a vital aspect of Qigong and of our health. The best Qigong forms utilize the breath, specifically timing it with the movements. The deep, abdominal breath of Qigong absorbs more oxygen while relaxing the mind and lowering Cortisol levels. Advanced breathing exercises, such as the 9-Breath Method, which employs techniques from Tibet, increase oxygenation of the blood, and are scientifically proven to improve blood quality as shown by live blood cell analysis under a microscope. Most say it feels like a full-body vibration or a soft humming inside the abdomen. Many counselors and psychologist have had success helping drug addicted patients replace their addiction with the “natural high” that comes from such breathing techniques.