What Is Qigong? Benefits, History, and How It Works
With over 2,000 years of history, Qigong is widely practiced today for self-care, emotional balance, pain relief, and vitality — especially by people looking for a softer, more sustainable approach to wellbeing.
What Is Qigong? (Quick Definition)
Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind–body practice that works with Qi (life energy) through slow movement / breathing/ sound, and intention to support physical health, emotional balance, and mental clarity.
It is suitable for all ages and stages of life and can be practiced standing, sitting, or even lying down.
Meaning of Qigong: Qi and Gong Explained
The word Qigong (气功) is made up of two Chinese characters:
-Qi (气) — life energy, vital force
-Gong (功) — time, skill, cultivation through practice
Qigong means cultivating life energy over time.
Across cultures, this life force is recognised in different ways:
-Qi in Chinese tradition
-Prana in Sanskrit
-Ki in Japanese (as in Reiki / 灵气)
-Mauri and Wairua in te ao Māori
In Aotearoa, many people intuitively understand that health is not only physical, but also emotional, spiritual, and ancestral. Qigong aligns naturally with this worldview — supporting mauri (life force) and honouring wairua (spirit).
Qigong and Yoga: Two Paths, One Human Need
During the age of spiritual darkness, different cultures developed ways to restore balance.
In India, yoga emerged.
In China, qigong was born.
Yoga works with energy through chakras and nadis.
Qigong works through meridians and acupuncture points.
Both traditions use movement because pure meditation requires physical stability and sufficient energy. Movement became a bridge — allowing everyday people to calm the mind, regulate emotions, and reconnect with their inner vitality.
(Qi Gong 8 Brocades/ Ba Duan Jin-Wise Owl Looking Backward, China, 2022 )
The Daoist Roots of Qigong
Qigong is rooted in Daoist philosophy, especially the principle of “Heaven–Human Unity” (天人合一) — the understanding that humans are part of nature, not separate from it.
This resonates strongly with Māori concepts of whakapapa, interconnection, and living in harmony with the natural world.
Many qigong forms imitate nature: animals, plants, daily agricultural activities and natural events.
One of the earliest systems, Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Qigong), was developed nearly 1,800 years ago by the physician Hua Tuo and promoted nationally by the Emperor. After periods of war and social disruption, these practices were used to
-Heal the body
-Calm the nervous system
-Restore balance in daily life
(Cover and Intro Page of Course Handout Wu Qin Xi- Five Animal QiGong, The Healing Hut, 2025 )
Qigong in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qigong is part of Dao Yin (导引术) — practices that guide Qi through the body.
Like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and massage, qigong is a therapeutic method.
Each movement is designed to influence specific:
-Meridians
-Organs
-Emotional patterns
For example:
-Liu Zi Jue (Six Healing Sounds) combines sound, posture, and movement
-Each sound corresponds to a pair of organs and meridians
-Commonly used for stress relief, emotional regulation, and internal balance
(Human museum, the earliest Chinese Fitness- MaWangDui Qi Gong Daoyin Shu )
Qigong vs Tai Chi: What’s the Difference?
-Qigong has over 2,000 years of history
-Tai Chi (Taijiquan) developed around 600 years ago
Tai Chi is a martial art, even when practiced slowly.
Qigong is primarily a healing and energy cultivation practice.
Qi Gong is the mother of Tai Chi, while Chinese Kongfu is the father of Taichi.
In China, qigong is commonly practiced before and after Tai Chi or martial arts to warm the body and restore energy.
In the West, many “Tai Chi” classes are actually qigong-style exercises. On saying that, Qigong and Taichi both are beneficial to holistic wellness and they are in the same family.
Without understanding Qi, Tai Chi becomes mechanical.
With Qi, movement becomes light, alive, and nourishing from the inside.
For beginners, qigong is often the best entry point.
For experienced practitioners, qigong is essential for depth and quality.
How Qigong Works: Modern Research
Modern research increasingly supports what traditional practice has long shown.
Studies suggest qigong can:
-Reduce stress and anxiety
-Improve balance and mobility
-Enhance sleep quality
-Support immune function
Significant amount of researches found that qigong practice improved quality of life, emotional wellbeing, and vitality.
Research also shows qigong activates the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting rest, digestion, and healing — closely aligned with restoring mauri ora.
Why Qigong Is Ideal for Modern Life
Qigong is:
-Gentle and low-impact
-Adaptable to all ages and conditions
-Suitable during recovery, stress, or fatigue
-Effective even in short sessions
You don’t need to be strong to begin. And you don't need a big space either!
Qigong helps you restore what has been depleted.
My Personal Journey: From Family Qigong to Yoga and Back to Whakapapa
(My grandma, sitting in front of our house, usually combed her hair in the evenings after qigong. )
As a child, in the summer time, I practiced qigong every evening after supper with my grandmother. After a full day of work and household responsibilities, we would slow down together.
I would sit beside her and:
-Comb her hair 200 times with a wooden comb
-Do gentle tapping along the body
-Massage her gently
These simple rituals were all forms of qigong — settling the nervous system, grounding the mind, and balancing energy before rest.
Years later, in 2017, I completed a 200-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Yin Therapy. During that training, I also learned some Yang-style sequences within the Yin Yoga framework.
What I noticed immediately was how familiar it felt.
The principles — working with fascia, meridians, stillness, subtle movement and breath — were very close to qigong. At the same time, the Yang sequences carried a more gymnastic, Western-style yoga flavour.
Yin Yoga became a bridge that led me back to my own whakapapa.
I still practice Yin Yoga and value its depth and therapeutic qualities.
But I no longer practice the Yang sequences. Instead, I returned fully to qigong — the language my body already knew.
Later, when I worked long hours in a law firm, I developed chronic neck and shoulder pain. Once again, it was qigong that supported me. Just five minutes of qigong was enough to relieve the tension.
No special clothes. No equipment. Just where you stand.
This is why I trust qigong deeply — it works in real life, even when energy, time, and capacity are limited.
(Qi Gong Separating Heaven and Earth. Nelson, 2021)
Step Into Qigong at Your Own Pace
If you’re curious about qigong and feel drawn to a gentler way of caring for your body and energy, you’re very welcome to practice with me.
You can explore my classes, online offerings, or simply join my newsletter to stay connected and learn at your own pace.