Qigongs Dimensions
Lee de Jager
6/11/20262 min read
Qigong can be understood through three main dimensions:
- Daily practice to maintain balance and wellbeing, the steady, sensible side of Qigong that quietly keeps things running.
- Occasional therapeutic practice to support specific health concerns when the body asks for a little extra attention.
- Advanced work in energy cultivation and healing practices, which sounds wonderfully mystical and occasionally a bit superhero-adjacent.
Across these three dimensions, several elements are shared with other natural therapies:
- Meditation: The mind becomes calm, clear, and focused through breathing and full attention to the present moment, which is harder than it sounds when lunch is involved.
- Breathing: Breath and movement are coordinated in line with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, creating a rhythm that is both grounding and restorative.
- Body movements: As a form of physical exercise, Qigong helps release tension and stiffness while improving flexibility, strength, and ease of movement, all with considerably less grunting than some workouts.
- Psychotherapy: Qigong recognises that body and mind are deeply connected. Rather than separating them, it explores how emotions and physical functions influence one another, like close flatmates who are definitely involved in each other’s business.
- Acupuncture: Through Qigong practice, qi is guided to circulate through specific areas of the body, helping to rebalance excesses and deficiencies, all without the need to become a human pincushion. Understanding the meridians, their pathways, and related points adds depth to the practice.
Some notable benefits:
Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Regular Qi Gong may help support healthy blood pressure by improving circulation. It is often recommended for people in cardiovascular rehabilitation or those who need a gentler approach, because not every heart wants boot camp.
This matters because hypertension is one of the most common chronic conditions today. Unlike intense exercise, Qi Gong is gentle on the body and places less strain on the heart.
Lumbar Pain and Other Back Conditions Qi Gong may help ease problems involving muscles, nerves, tendons, and the skeleton, especially back pain. Some studies suggest it can reduce lower back pain while improving flexibility and mobility, which your spine may consider excellent news. µ
Diabetes Qi Gong may support people who are overweight or have insulin resistance. Some studies suggest it can help improve post-meal and average blood sugar levels, which is a helpful talent for such gentle movement. µ
Cancers For serious illness, daily Qi Gong may be used as a supportive practice. Its effects on the immune system and natural defences make it a useful complementary therapy, and the movements can be adapted for different needs, even seated or still.
Neurodegenerative Diseases Some studies suggest Qi Gong may help with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as support people with Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It may improve balance, coordination, concentration, and memory, and it can be practised seated, which makes it especially friendly for limited mobility.