Qigong
Qigong can be translated as "breath work" or "energy work" since it involves the conscious manipulation of the "life force" or "cosmic breath" (Qi, or Chi - or Ki in Japanese) which, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, not only animates the body of every living creature but also flows through the body via certain pathways or "meridians".
Qigong systems have probably been around for thousands of years, as evidenced by the discovery during the seventies of drawings depicting the Five Animal Frolics Qigong in a Chinese tomb believed to be over two thousand years old.
There are various different types of Qigong, including:
- Stationary postures
- Upper body routines or sets performed while standining or sitting, such as the famous Eight Pieces of Brocade or Ba Duan Jin.
- Sequences which involve moving around, such as Tai Chi and the Dayan Wild Goose Qigong.
- Nei Gong, including “Iron Shirt" techniques used in martial arts training.
- Sensing and transmission of Qi in order to restore balance and bring about healing.
You can learn more about Qigong by downloading the free resources below.
Free Qigong Learning Resources
Download our free eBook:
Qigong: Sense, Common Sense and Nonsense, by g Hamilton.
Fully revised and updated in May 2025, this down-to-earth overview of the various aspects of Qigong includes:
Possible benefits to physical and mental health and well-being.
How Qigong exercises, including Nei Gung, can improve your martial skills.
"Spiritual" Qigong - Pre-Birth and Post-Birth Qi and how they fit with our current ideas about the universe.
Qi (Chi): Does it exist and, if so, what is it? (What does the science say?)
What’s great about this valuable art (and what to avoid).
Qigong: Sense, Common Sense and Nonsense, by g Hamilton.
Fully revised and updated in May 2025, this down-to-earth overview of the various aspects of Qigong includes:
Possible benefits to physical and mental health and well-being.
How Qigong exercises, including Nei Gung, can improve your martial skills.
"Spiritual" Qigong - Pre-Birth and Post-Birth Qi and how they fit with our current ideas about the universe.
Qi (Chi): Does it exist and, if so, what is it? (What does the science say?)
What’s great about this valuable art (and what to avoid).
Ba Duan Jin - Free Study Guide
This study guide consists of a video showing the famous Ba Duan Jin Qigong set (The Eight Pieces of Brocade) with an accompanying set of illustrated notes as a free PDF eBook for you to download and print off. (Click on the links)
Free eBook Qigong: Ba Duan Jin (The Eight Pieces of Brocade)
This illustrated guide explains the benefits of each of the eight movements of the qigong set (and some of the variations)
and how to do them safely.
View video of the Ba Duan Jin
Enjoy sharing a beautiful summer evening on the North Yorkshire Coast with Colin Hamilton as you follow him through the eight exercises and some of their variations. (This is a YouTube clip lasting 8:55 mins)
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