If the Spirit receives proper nourishment, there is nothing that will not grow. If it loses proper nourishment, there is nothing that will not decay.
– Meng Tzu, "The Works of Mencius"

The Works of Mencius” The word Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) is derived from two Chinese characters. “Qi” (or chi) refers to our vital energy, life force, or breath. Sometimes translated as “the vapor of the finest matter,” its character represents the steam that rises from a grain of cooking rice, symbolizing distilled essence. “Gong” means practice or cultivation. Qigong, then, is the cultivation of the vital energy the Chinese call Qi, the force that animates every living being.

Though Qigong has been studied by physicians of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, Western scientists in both China and the United States have only recently begun to apply the scientific method to the practice. Initial studies of Qigong and the related Qi-cultivating exercise Tai Chi show that regular practice lowers blood pressure, improves heart function, eases addictions, significantly reduces falls and fractures in the elderly, and reduces fatigue, anxiety, tension, depression, and mental confusion at any age. Qigong has been popularly associated with astounding acts by masters who move objects just by pointing their fingers, illuminate light bulbs merely by holding them in their hands, or dissolve tumors without even touching a patient’s body. Enthusiasts believe that the practice cures a variety of illnesses from heart disease to arthritis, asthma to AIDS. Though recent studies aim to measure Qi via bioluminescent imagery or chart the effects of Qigong on illness, the vital force of Qi has yet to be fully grasped with conventional methods.

Given the growing popularity of Eastern medicine in our country, it is likely that by the time Western science is finally able to chart and describe all that Qi does, millions of Americans will have already experienced the power of this vital energy.

Of the four major branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine ? Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Qigong, and Massage ? Qigong is the most easy to practice as a self-healing technique. With the exception of external or medical Qigong, which relies on a practitioner who emits Qi and moves it through your body, no one else can do Qigong for you. All you need is Qi! When you practice Qigong, you perform a set of graceful movements and postures that are like a simple dance, one designed to balance the vital energy throughout your body. The practice also includes meditation and visualization, self-massage and the expression of sounds. When you practice Qigong regularly, your health and fitness are in your very own hands. Subtle yet powerful, the results of your practice will astound you.