4 Reasons Why I Love Practicing Qigong

Why this simple moving meditation called Qigong continues to support my energy, awareness, and health.

People often recognize tai chi.
Qigong, not so much.

I still get puzzled looks when I say the word.

Qigong comes from two roots:
Qi – life force, vital energy
Gong – cultivation, skill, or practice

Unlike tai chi, which evolved as a martial art, qigong has always been practiced for health, vitality, and internal balance. It is a system of gentle movement, breath, and intention designed to support the body, calm the nervous system, and cultivate long-term well-being.

Rooted in Chinese medicine, qigong has been used for thousands of years as a self-healing practice. For me, it’s also one of the most practical and accessible forms of meditation I know.

Here’s why.

1. Qigong balances energy and restores flow

One of the most common questions people ask is:
What does qigong actually do?

For me, the answer is simple – it helps my energy move again.

I tend to get tight.
Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.

There are days when movement feels heavy or even uncomfortable, and that sensation of being stuck isn’t just in my body. It shows up as hesitation, fatigue, and difficulty moving forward with my day.

In Chinese medicine, energy often stagnates in the joints. Qigong works directly with this by gently opening the joints and restoring circulation. Most practices begin with simple joint warm-ups that explore the full range of motion without force.

As the joints soften, energy starts to circulate.
As energy circulates, clarity returns.

That shift alone changes how I feel in my body and how I meet my life.

2. Qigong builds awareness without pushing or forcing

Another common question is:
Is qigong good for beginners or people with limited mobility?

Yes – and that’s one of its strengths.

Qigong movements are slow, simple, and intentional. They invite awareness without strain. Through practice, I can feel where energy is stagnant and where it’s depleted, and I can respond gently instead of pushing through.

Many qigong forms draw inspiration from animals. Moving like a bird, a bear, or a dragon creates a sense of curiosity and play. That shift alone changes how I listen to my body.

Instead of trying to fix myself, I observe.
Instead of effort, there is presence.

That awareness carries into everything else.

3. Qigong uses imagination as a healing tool

People also ask:
Is qigong meditation, or is it exercise?

It’s both – and something more.

Qigong uses visualization and intention alongside movement and breath. Energy can be guided through awareness just as effectively as through physical motion.

Color plays an important role in many qigong practices. Different qualities of energy are often associated with different colors, and those images become practical tools for healing and balance.

Through breath and intention, energy can be:
• cleared from areas of stagnation
• drawn into depleted places
• balanced across the system

This isn’t abstract. It’s embodied, focused, and surprisingly grounding.

4. Qigong reconnects us with nature and support

A frequent question is:
Can you practice qigong outdoors?

Some of the most nourishing qigong experiences I’ve had were outside.

Qigong draws directly from nature. Earth energy is often experienced as golden – like dry grasses, sunflowers, or late-summer hills. These images aren’t symbolic. They help the body recognize support.

Being outside naturally settles my nervous system. Practicing qigong in nature deepens that effect and reminds me that I am not separate from my environment.

The practice reinforces a simple truth:
When I care for the Earth, I care for myself.

Why qigong remains part of my daily life

Qigong is a moving meditation that meets me where I am.

It doesn’t require sitting still.
It doesn’t demand flexibility or perfection.
It works with the body, breath, and mind as they are.

If you’ve ever wondered:
• What is qigong?
• Is qigong good for stress?
• Can qigong replace meditation?

My experience is this:

Qigong restores flow - physically, emotionally, and energetically - again and again.

Find out for yourself!

Start with either our weekly live Qigong classes, or our self-paced Qigong course for Deep Nourishment