What Is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient mind-body practice that restores balance through gentle movement, breath, and awareness.
As we teach in the Great Energy School, Qigong is the skillful practice of working with life’s energies to support physical vitality, emotional regulation, spiritual well-being, and overall satisfaction or contentment.
“We come home to the body through movement, breath, and awareness - that’s Healing Qigong.”
– Daniela Hess
What Does “Qigong” Mean?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi refers to the animating energy that flows through all living things. When Qi flows freely, the body is balanced and resilient. When it stagnates, symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anxiety or illnesses can appear.
Gong translates as practice or cultivation - the steady, ongoing effort that transforms potential into mastery.
Qigong, then, is both a discipline and a meditation - a way of aligning with natural energy, of nature itself, through movement, breathwork, and the development of awareness.
Where Did Qigong Originate?
Did you know there are over 3,500 documented style of Qigong? It is a generic term that encompasses basically every movement practice, meditation and breath practice known to humankind.
Over centuries, Qigong evolved into many styles - medical, martial, and spiritual - all sharing the same foundation: cultivating harmony between the human being and the natural world.
Today, Qigong is practiced globally in hospitals, wellness centers, and homes as a gentle, evidence-based method for stress reduction and healing.
The roots of Qigong trace back more than 4,000 years to early Taoist, Buddhist, and medical traditions in China. It developed as part of a holistic system that integrated movement, herbal medicine, acupuncture, meditation, and ethical living.
How Does Qigong Work?
At Great Energy, we teach Qigong through both energetic and physiological lenses.
Energetically, Qigong supports the smooth circulation of Qi through the body’s meridian network, clearing blockages and restoring flow - this allows the body’s natural healing abilities to work optimally.
Physiologically, research shows that Qigong:
Lowers stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline【PubMed: PMC3988027】
Improves heart-rate variability and vagal tone - key markers of nervous-system balance【NIH NCCIH, 2024】
Enhances immune function and reduces inflammation【PubMed: PMC6519569】
Improves sleep quality, flexibility, and balance, especially in older adults【PubMed: PMC5750593】
Through mindful movements, visualizations and intentional breathing, Qigong down-regulates the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” response and activates the parasympathetic “rest-and-restore” state - the body’s natural healing mode.
“Energy follows awareness. When you slow down and pay attention, the body begins to remember its rhythm and harmony.”
– Christopher Grant
Who Can Practice Qigong?
Qigong is for everyone.
Because the movements are usually gentle and adaptable, it can be practiced standing, seated, or even lying down.
Our trauma-aware approach makes Qigong accessible to modern nervous systems - emphasizing safety, curiosity, and choice.
We teach a contemporary, practical, relevant method of Qigong, gleaned from decades of study in many traditions. At Great Energy, we welcome both beginners and professionals from diverse fields of healing and movement arts.
including:
Yoga teachers and movement instructors
Life and health coaches
Acupuncturists and Chinese-medicine practitioners
Reiki, energy, and intuitive healers
Massage therapists and somatic practitioners
Meditation teachers and mindfulness facilitators
Is Qigong Difficult to Learn?
Not at all.
Most students feel its calming effects within minutes. The learning curve is gentle: you begin with a few simple postures, breathing techniques, and focus cues, then repeat them until they feel natural.
Consistency matters more than complexity. Even five minutes a day can shift your energy and focus.
“The quality of your energy determines the quality of your experience of your life”
– Daniela Hess
Can Qigong Be Self-Taught?
Yes, and guidance helps.
Many people start with online videos, yet a teacher provides refinement, context, and community support that deepen results.
Our program at Great Energy Healing Qigong Immersion and Teacher Certification offers live weekly classes, replays, and personalized feedback - giving you structure while honoring your pace and individuality. While live attendance isn’t required, most students in our course do value the feel of community that forms with each cohort.
Can You Learn Qigong Online?
Absolutely.
A growing body of research confirms that virtual Qigong training produces benefits comparable to in-person instruction for mood, mobility, and quality of life【PubMed: PMC10501278】.
Our students join from around the world to experience the in-person feel while learning from home through live sessions, recorded modules, and interactive Q&A.
Our Qigong curriculum is available in 3 modes:
Beginning Healing Qigong - for those new to the practice or exploring our approach
Great Energy Qigong Immersion and Teacher Training Certification - a deep dive for personal growth and professional impact
Great Energy Qigong Self-Paced Module - included in our partners Yoga Teacher Trainings, Reiki Trainings, Coach Trainings etc.
“Healing happens through presence - and presence is possible anywhere.”
– Christopher Grant
What Are the Benefits of Practicing Qigong?
Scientific studies and centuries of experience agree: regular Qigong practice can
Improve energy and stamina
Support immune, respiratory, and cardiovascular health
Regulate mood, anxiety, and depression symptoms
Reduce inflammation and chronic pain
Enhance balance, coordination, and mobility
Cultivate mindfulness and emotional resilience
Source highlights:
Jahnke R et al., 2010. Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. Am J Health Promot. 24(6): e1-e25. [PMID 20594090]
Chan J et al., 2017. Effects of Qigong Exercise on Anxiety and Depression. Complement Ther Med. 31: 130-134. [PMID 28499183]
How to Begin Practicing Qigong
Start simple. Stand comfortably. Feel your feet.
Breathe through your nose. Let the exhale be longer.
Allow your shoulders to drop and your jaw to soften.
That’s Qigong - presence in motion.
If you’d like to experience guided instruction, explore our free and beginner-friendly offerings at
Great Energy School or join our upcoming Healing Qigong Certification program - an 8-week online immersion that blends personal transformation with professional training.
References
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Qigong: What You Need to Know. Updated 2024.
PubMed Central (see PMCID links above)
Jahnke R, Larkey L, et al. (2010). Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. Am J Health Promot. 24(6): e1-e25.
Ready to learn Qigong and possibly become a Qigong instructor?
Explore the next Great Energy Healing Qigong Immersion and Teacher Certification - a heart-centered, trauma-aware journey of practice, presence, and professional evolution.
If you are a school director, lets jump on a Zoom and explore how our Healing Qigong curriculum and self-paced modules can enhance the value of your current certification programs.