What is Qigong?

Origins

Qigong (氣功) is one of the oldest movement and breath traditions in Chinese culture, with roots stretching back thousands of years. It developed from early Daoist practices, traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, and meditative disciplines. Over time, Qigong became a broad family of methods for cultivating vitality, balance, and inner steadiness.

Key Words & Meanings

• Qi (氣) — often translated as “energy,” but more accurately the life‑breath or vital movement that animates the body

• Gong (功) — skill developed through steady, mindful practice

• Together, Qigong means the skill of working with one’s life‑energy through breath, intention, and gentle movement.

What Qigong Looks Like Today

Modern Qigong is practiced worldwide for:

• Balance and fall prevention

• Stress reduction and emotional regulation

• Joint mobility and circulation

• Healthy aging and rehabilitation

• Meditative awareness and grounding

It is accessible to all ages and abilities, and can be practiced standing, seated, or even lying down.

Common Qigong Forms

At Still Mountain, we draw from several well‑known systems:

• Shibashi (18 Movements) — flowing, meditative, and beginner‑friendly

• Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades) — one of the oldest health‑preservation sets

• Yi Jin Jing — strengthening and stretching the tendons and fascia

• Qigong warm‑ups used in Tai Chi for Health programs

Each form emphasizes ease, breath, and whole‑body integration.

How Qigong Relates to Tai Chi

Qigong is the foundation of Tai Chi.

Where Tai Chi is a structured martial art with long sequences, Qigong is simpler, more repetitive, and focused on internal awareness. Many Tai Chi movements are, in essence, Qigong in motion.

At Still Mountain, Qigong prepares the body and mind for Tai Chi practice and stands on its own as a complete health practice.