If you’ve heard the word Qigong but aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re not alone. For many in the West, Qigong feels new, even though it’s been practiced for thousands of years in Asia. Today, it’s rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most effective ways to care for both body and mind.
In this article, we’ll explore:
The word Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong” in Chinese or "kee-gong" in Korean) is made of two calligraphic characters:
Put together, Qigong literally means energy practice, and generally refers to the study of cultivating and balancing life energy for wellbeing. At its heart, Qigong is about sensing, circulating, and balancing the body’s energy through a combination of strong and gentle movement, breathwork, meditation, and awareness.
Qigong’s roots stretch back thousands of years, with deep ties to various philosophical and religious traditions, including Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and indigenous Korean traditions. For centuries, people practiced Qigong to promote health, connect with nature, and awaken their inner potential.
Over time, the energy principles of Qigong influenced many other disciplines, including East Asian martial arts, healing arts, and various forms of meditation.
So what is the relationship between Qigong and Tai Chi?
While the name Tai Chi is more familiar in the West, Qigong has long been practiced throughout East Asia, especially in Korea, where energy practices have a long tradition. Qigong energy principles and practices can be found today in the U.S. and in many other countries in Body & Brain wellness classes and workshops.
Modern studies have shown that the physical training, active relaxation, focused attention, and conscious breathing of Qigong can support overall physical and emotional well-being.
Across its many styles, Qigong is guided by a few timeless principles:
These traditional principles are part of the foundation of Qigong as a holistic wellness system incorporated into Body & Brain training to promote health, happiness, and peace.
What does Qigong look like today? Depending on where you go, you may see people practicing slow, graceful movements in the park, while others incorporate martial arts techniques for strength, balance, and flexibility. Practitioners commonly include focused breathing, tapping, and meditation exercises as well.
As practiced in Body & Brain classes, Qigong is adaptable to a wide range of ages and conditions, and often includes:
One of the most unique aspects of Body & Brain training is DahnMuDo, a Korean-style self-healing martial art that includes many elements of Qigong, Tai Chi, TaeKwonDo, and more.
Together, DahnMuDo means “The Art of Limitless Energy.”
Although many of the movements in DahnMuDo are based on martial arts, DahnMuDo is meant for self-development. It is often called a “healing martial art” or “moving meditation.” Its flowing sequences can combine fast and slow movements for energy activation and circulation, breathing, balance, and focus, to awaken strength, flexibility, and inner peace.
DahnMuDo is a practice of self-mastery. Students learn to:
DahnMuDo complements the softer side of Qigong practice with dynamic, empowering movement that helps practitioners embody confidence, resilience, and harmony.
More people are searching for natural, effective ways to manage stress, improve balance, and stay healthy as they age. While yoga once dominated the wellness scene, over the past 20 years there has been a steady rise in interest for Tai Chi and Qigong as the benefits of these practices continue to be documented in the National Institutes for Health library, and in publications such as the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine.
Qigong offers:
It’s low-impact, gentle, and adaptable, making it one of the most sustainable wellness practices available today.
Here’s something you may not know: Body & Brain has over 70 locations offering Tai Chi and Qigong classes in the U.S., as well as online classes and workshops. With decades of experience, Body & Brain has quietly become a national leader in sharing Qigong as a system of holistic fitness.
For us, Qigong is more than exercise; it’s a platform for awakening human potential. It’s the gateway to helping people use their energy and consciousness to live healthier, happier, more purposeful lives.
Qigong is ancient yet modern, simple yet profound. It teaches you how to feel and manage your energy so you can live with greater health, clarity, and peace. Whether you’re brand-new to mindful movement or already familiar with yoga or Tai Chi, Qigong offers a path that’s accessible, empowering, and deeply transformative.
Ready to experience Qigong for yourself? Join a Body & Brain class at your local center or online, and discover why we’re proud to be the nation’s leading provider of Qigong instruction, including the unique Korean martial art of DahnMuDo.