A Brief History of QiGong

QiGong has been disputed to have been first recorded between 4000 to 7000 years back when it was performed as a dance to prevent arthritis and a healing technique to release stagnant energy caused by high humidity in China.  People realized that body movements, exclamations and various ways of breathing could help readjust certain body functions.  For example, imitating animals and jumping about could promote vital qi flow in the body, thus Qigong was brought into existence.  

The principles of Yin and Yang and the Laws of the Five Elements were formulated depicting the ways in which Qi moves through endless creative cycles while being balance by forces of control.  

There were four major periods of Qi development:          

1. The Yi Jing (Book of Changes), 1122 BC discussed Qi as the concept of natural energies and the integration of the three (“United Heaven, Earth & Man”).
2. About 206 BC, Han Dynasty, Buddhism and meditation techniques were brought to China from India.  Qigong, meditation and religion were integrated into one philosophy.
3. Around 500 AD, Liang Dynasty, it was discovered that qigong could be used for martial arts purposes.  In early 1900’s, people mixed qigong with martial arts from other countries.
4. 1980’s to present day, people expanded its practice to public teaching and scientific research.

There are five major traditions in the practice of qigong:  Confucian Qigong, Taoist QiGong, Buddhist Qigong, Martial Arts QiGong and Medical QiGong.

There are over 2000 known forms of Qigong practice worldwide.  Medical society and healers use it for preventing and healing illnesses.  Martial artists use it to develop incredible strength and abilities.  Still others use it to develop higher levels of consciousness.  

In China, Qigong is practice in two categories, “still” (Internal) and “moving” (External).  Westerners have divided Qigong into “soft style” and “hard style.”  Soft refers to exercises that enhance spiritual, mental and physical well being with meditation and gently exercise.  Hard refers to exercises in martial arts done to strengthen and protect the body against attack.  

Today, QiGong is widely practiced in many hospitals in China to help healing of many illnesses including cancer.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please e-mail QBS and we will be happy to respond.