Qi What?
What is Qigong? What is QI? What is Warrior Movement?
Qi>
In Chinese, “Qi” (pronounced CHEE) means life force or energy, and “Gong” means practice or skill. So, Qigong is basically the art of working with your energy to promote health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve health, or just tune into a deeper sense of inner calm, Qigong has you covered.
The Benefits>
At its core, Qigong is about more than just physical movement; it’s a form of moving meditation that calms the mind, supports the nervous system, and encourages the body’s natural healing processes. Research shows that slow, controlled movements combined with deep, intentional breathing can shift the nervous system from “fight or flight” mode into a relaxed state, known as the parasympathetic response. This shift helps lower stress levels, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health.
The Movement>
The gentle, flowing movements of Qigong help increase circulation, enhance lung capacity, and stimulate the body’s energy pathways, much like acupuncture or acupressure, but without needles or physical manipulation from a practitioner. By focusing on both movement and breath, you’re effectively training your body to manage stress better and optimize its energy use.