In traditional Chinese medical theory, illness indicates that the body's energy, or qi (pronounced "chee"), is stuck. To restore that vital energy flow, traditional Chinese doctors sometimes prescribe a set of slow-motion exercises that date back at least 2,000 years. These exercises are called qigong (pronounced "chee gong"). Qigong practitioners say the practice lets people control their vital energy (qi) with skill (gong). The quiet exercises of qigong balance it between the stillness of meditation and the intense activity of the martial arts. The single most important aspect of qigong practice is breathing. To bridge the mind and the body, the practitioner concentrates on quiet, slow, deep, continuous, even breathing.

How long has qigong been practiced?
In 1973, archaeologists excavating a king's tomb from about 168 B.C. found a folded piece of silk containing painted figures engaged in qigong exercises. The figures illustrate almost every category of modern qigong . In various postures, they demonstrate breathing, movement, and massage. The figures represent all ages and many occupations. Early practitioners modeled individual qigong postures after animals, such as a bathing duck, a leaping monkey, and a turning tiger. Today, a person performing a set of qigong postures resembles a slow-motion dancer. Because people can perform qigong while standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, the practice is also said to benefit people who are confined to bed or wheelchairs.

Credits: Qigong exercisers © James D. Wilson/Getty Images.

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