How to Explain Qi Gong to “Non-Practitioners”
“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”
Opening passage of the Tao Te Ching
If you’re a Qi Gong practitioner, you’ve likely heard the question a million times: “what is Qi Gong?”
Even though Qi Gong is rapidly gaining popularity in the west, a lot of people still don’t know what it is. Additionally, even for knowledgeable and experienced practitioners, it’s not always easy to explain Qi Gong to “non-practitioners.”
One reason that explaining Qi Gong can be difficult is that it is based on one’s own internal experience. Unlike other activities, you can’t explain the practice simply by telling someone what the movements look like externally. However, even though it’s impossible to capture the essence of Qi Gong with words, language can still be useful for pointing others in the right direction.
This article will provide a simple yet vivid overview of the practice we all love.
A Simple Explanation of Qi Gong
When someone asks, “what is Qi Gong?” the simplest and most clear answer is, “it’s a practice for less stress and more energy.”
Even though this answer doesn’t explain how Qi Gong works, it captures two of the fundamental intentions of the practice. Overwhelmingly, most people respond with a variation of “oh wow, I could use more of that!”
Of course, there are many different layers of Qi Gong. Some are satisfied with the simple answer stated above. And then there are others who are intrigued and want to know more…
For those interested in digging deeper, it’s often a great idea to share a brief history of the practice and explain the meaning of the word, Qi Gong.
Qi Gong was developed by Taoist sages in ancient China over 4,000 years ago. Since that time, it has been an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering numerous benefits for physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
“Qi” means “life-force energy.” Everything that takes place within the body is a reflection of this mysterious energy. Your thoughts, feelings, and physical experiences are all manifestations of Qi within you.
“Gong” means “to work with.” Therefore, Qi Gong means “to work with life-force energy.”
In Qi Gong, working with life-force energy often focuses on letting go of stress, cultivating joy, and boosting physical vitality and health. However, there are limitless ways to apply the principles of Qi Gong to help you live your best life.
Benefits of Qi Gong
Once someone has a basic understanding of what Qi Gong is, they often want to learn what the benefits of the practice are. Here’s where things can get exciting.
First, since Qi Gong is a movement practice, it has many of the same benefits as other forms of exercise. It improves circulation, strengthens the muscles, and increases cardiovascular health. Since there are so many different types of Qi Gong exercises, everyone can find practices to suit their level of physical fitness.
If someone recognizes the importance of going on hikes or working out at the gym, it shouldn’t be difficult for them to understand the value of Qi Gong when it comes to physical fitness.
Second, Qi Gong focuses on gentle stretching exercises that can increase flexibility. Just as people do yoga or stretch their bodies, Qi Gong is another practice that offers the wonderful benefits associated with stretching and flexibility.
Focusing on flexibility is an important part of staying mobile and preventing injury. This is especially true as people grow older. Tao Yin is a form of Qi Gong that emphasizes stretching exercises.
Third, Qi Gong is a form of meditation. Just like physical exercise and stretching, most people recognize the value of meditation. By practicing Qi Gong, it’s easy to experience many of the same benefits of meditation — calming the mind, letting go of stress, and cultivating emotional balance.
In other words, Qi Gong combines the benefits of physical exercise, stretching, and meditation in one practice!
Because Qi Gong offers all three of these positive qualities, it’s a great practice for those who don’t have a lot of time in their schedule for self-care. Instead of meditating, going to the gym, and doing a yoga class, many practitioners feel that many of their needs are still met just by practicing Qi Gong.
Of course, a lot of practitioners also do additional exercise activities and meditation, but qi gong still adds tremendously to their self-care routine.
Introducing Qi Gong to Others (Free Trial)
Explaining Qi Gong in simple terms is a great first step when it comes to sharing the practice. However, until someone gives it a try, it’s quite difficult for them to really understand everything it has to offer.
If you have friends or family members who might be interested in discovering Qi Gong for themselves, we have the perfect program for you to share with them: our free Two-Week Qi Gong Trial.
When you sign up for the free Two-Week Trial, you’ll gain immediate access to free Qi Gong classes. All of them are taught by master teacher, Lee Holden, and each offers unique exercises and practices.
Because this is an online program, you can practice from the comfort of your own home. There’s zero risk, you don’t even need a credit card to sign up.
Learn more today about how the free Two-Week Trial can help you let go of stress and cultivate more energy.
