What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong is a 4000 year-old ancient Chinese wellness practice that has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is an elegant, meditative movement practice that combines gentle movement, breath practice and meditation to create a calm, natural balance of energy. The best part is that it’s easy and can be practiced standing up or sitting down at any time of the day.

Qi Gong (pronounced chee-goong) is a word that has several layers. “Qi” means energy or lifeforce. “Gong” means work or skill. Qi Gong, then, is a practice that cultivates and balances the qi.

Did you know that the better-known Tai Chi is a form of Qi Gong? There are many styles of Qi Gong. To be diverse and inclusive, we also practice and teach a variety of styles, a combination of traditional and modern Qi Gong, some of which Hang crafted from her personal practice and experience.  

In general, there are two categories of Qi Gong:
1) Energy activation and release – just as the name says, to activate and wake up our energy and to release stuck or stagnant Qi in the body and mind
2) Movement with breath – this can be as simple as the Shaolin 8 Brocades or as detailed as the complete 108 form of Yang Tai Chi. This can be very meditative and mindful.

One can spend her entire life practicing and learning Qi Gong for a deeper spiritual practice. On the other hand, one does not need to know anything about it and can experience a change in energy level as quickly as after a 10-minute energy activation and release.  

To show you the magic of a 10-15 minute practice, please follow along this short video of Hang practicing in Mount Tremblant in -10C. The most important thing is that you enjoy the practice and smile a lot.

May your practice flourish with joy and happiness.