A few years ago, I (Jen) was introduced to Qigong, and while it looked interesting, I didn’t pay too much attention.
But, the more I’ve learned about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the more I’ve realized that the most powerful forms of healing are the ones that help our bodies finally feel safe enough to heal.
That’s exactly what Qigong does and I’ve learned to love it.
So…What Is Qigong?
Pronounced “chee-gong,” Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that’s been around for thousands of years.
The word itself tells you a lot about what it is.
Qi (chee) means life energy—the energy that flows through every part of your body.
Gong means practice, skill, or cultivation.
Put them together, and Qigong simply means cultivating your life energy. (I LOVE that!)
Through slow, intentional movements, deep breathing, and focused attention, Qigong helps your body move Qi more freely.
And in TCM, that’s incredibly important.
What Does Qi Have to Do with Your Health?
One of the foundational ideas in Traditional Chinese Medicine is that Qi should flow smoothly throughout the body.
When Qi is moving well, your body is better able to nourish your organs, support your immune system, regulate your emotions, digest your food, and maintain balance.
But when Qi becomes stuck—or when we don’t have enough of it—that’s when problems can begin.
You might notice things like:
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Frequent illness
- Digestive problems
- Anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Hormonal imbalances
- Feeling emotionally “stuck”
(sigh…. me on all of those.)
Does that mean every health problem is caused by blocked Qi? Of course not.
But from a TCM perspective, helping Qi flow is one of the ways we support the body’s natural ability to heal.
Why I Love Qigong
One of the things we’ve talked about a lot lately is nervous system regulation.
So many women are living in a constant state of stress.
They’re tired but wired. They’re pushing through every day. They’re trying harder, exercising harder, working harder, and wondering why they still don’t feel better.
Sometimes the answer isn’t to do more – sometimes it’s actually to slow down.
Qigong gently tells your nervous system: “You don’t have to stay in survival mode anymore.”
The slow movements, relaxed breathing, and mindful focus all encourage your body to shift into “rest and digest” mode.
And that’s where healing happens.
But Is There Any Science Behind It?
There actually is.
Studies have found that regular Qigong practice may help:
- Lower stress hormones
- Improve balance and flexibility
- Reduce chronic pain
- Improve sleep quality
- Support healthy blood pressure
- Increase energy
- Improve mood
- Enhance overall quality of life
None of that surprises me.
When you combine gentle movement, deep breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation, you’re giving your body exactly what it often doesn’t get enough of.
You Don’t Have to Be Flexible
This is one of my favorite things about Qigong.
You don’t need to be athletic. You don’t have to touch your toes. (thank goodness!) You don’t need fancy workout clothes.
Most of the movements are slow, simple, and low impact.
In fact, many exercises can even be done sitting in a chair.
It’s one of the reasons I often recommend it for women who are dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, pain, or recovering from illness.
Instead of draining your energy, it helps restore it. This is huge for me right now because even short exercise wears me out.
Where Qigong Fits with TCM
People sometimes ask if Qigong is a workout.
Not exactly.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s considered one of the daily practices that helps maintain health—right alongside nourishing foods, good sleep, emotional balance, acupuncture, herbs, and spending time in nature.
Think of it as daily maintenance for your body.
Just like brushing your teeth helps prevent cavities, moving your Qi every day helps support your overall health.
It isn’t about burning calories – it’s about creating balance.
How to Get Started
The best part is that you don’t need an hour every day.
Start with just 5 to 10 minutes.
Find a beginner Qigong video online. (I love this video.) We also have a video that we share based in Qigong called “Quick Energy Reset“
Move slowly. Don’t worry about getting every movement perfect. Focus on breathing deeply and moving gently.
As you practice, pay attention to how your body feels instead of how it looks.
That’s one of the biggest lessons Qigong teaches us.
One Thing to Try This Week
This week, challenge yourself to replace one workout—or one scrolling session—with ten minutes of Qigong.
Go outside if you can. Take a few deep breaths. Move slowly. Let your shoulders relax.
You’ll be surprised by how refreshed you feel afterward.
