Written by Nicole Lee, Qigong Devotee, Mentor & Guide
Nicole Lee is an experienced Qigong Teacher, Practitioner and Holistic Health mentor. After delivering thousands of classes and workshops and over a decade of devotion to Qigong, she specialises in training others to share this subtle, yet powerful modality.
One of my favorite sayings about Qigong is: "Qigong is nothing special, yet very special." Kenneth Cohen coined this phrase in his book "The Way of Qigong," which remains my top recommendation for students and those interested in delving deeper into this subtle yet powerful practice.
While there are thousands of practices labelled as Qigong, originating from various family lineages, traditions, styles, and schools, they all share a common thread: the ability to bring about transformation across three layers of our being—body, mind, and spirit.
The most popular and commonly known practices of Qigong are those categorised as movement therapy. Typically they’re described as a collection of slow, precise, differentiated, intentional movements. Some practices or forms are very activating to the body in a physical sense, some are gentle stretch types of movement and others are flowing or rhythmic in nature.
1. Eases physical discomfort and tension
One of the ways that practising Qigong makes you feel better is the regulating effect it has on your physical body. The body serves as a barometer, reflecting the state of our psyche, emotions, and overall well-being. Mental and emotional stress, trauma, and tension often manifest physically. When we fail to process and release these psychological and emotional experiences, they can accumulate, leading to layered physical symptoms.
The movement and breathwork integral to Qigong have a significant impact on the nervous system. The stimulating exercises, gentle stretches, rhythmic movements, and mindful awareness promote neural mobilization. This helps to release and lengthen nerves, easing tension and discomfort. As a result, you may experience feelings of spaciousness, improved blood flow, and a feeling of having more energy after practising Qigong.
The foundational principle of classical oriental medicine posits that tension is the root cause of all disease. Modern mainstream medicine agrees that chronic stress can lead to various health issues. By relieving tension in our bodies, we promote the smooth flow of blood and fluids and allow stored emotions and experiences to surface, be acknowledged, and released. When we release tension, we feel better, and we’re better able to navigate the challenges of everyday life.
2. Increases the flow of Qi
Another way that Qigong makes you feel better is through the increased flow of Qi. When we activate our physical body through movement, infuse it with energy through our breath, and become more present and aware, our life-force, or Qi, flows more freely through the body's energy pathways known as meridians.
Qi, also spelled Chi, is commonly translated as life-force. But what exactly does that mean?
It’s the aliveness that animates all living things. Some traditions believe that Qi permeates all of nature. There's a passage in one of my favourite Daoist books that states, "If one chooses to pray to a rock with enough devotion, even the rock will come alive."
Qi is light, consciousness and source energy.
When we practice Qigong we improve the conductivity of our liquid crystalline inner oceans and enhance how the trillions of cells that make up our being communicate with each other and the world around us. People often describe the palpable effect of this as a feeling of being more grounded and at ease.
When we engage with life from this state of awareness, we naturally connect more deeply with our true, authentic, and intuitive selves—what is often referred to as Heartmind.
When discussing the concept of mind through the lens of Daoist philosophy, we're not referring to the thinking or intellectual mind. Instead, we're talking about what is traditionally called Xin, translated to mean Heartmind. The easiest way to understand this concept is to view it as your true, authentic, intuitive self. Xin encompasses your core consciousness, along with all your personality traits, memories, desires, values, ideas, beliefs, emotions, and habitual behaviours. It represents the programming, patterns, and emotional information that form layers around and upon your core consciousness.
When our Qi flows freely, we become more regulated and connected on a mental and emotional level, and our body can function more effectively on a physical level.
3. Moves your spirit
The third way that Qigong makes you feel better builds on the previous two I've mentioned. When our bodies are physically regulated and functioning optimally, and we experience clarity, grounding, and a deeper connection to ourselves, we can transform our reality and experience life differently. Feeling good within ourselves makes it easier to manage our emotions, become aware of and change negative or unhelpful behaviours, and feel more alive and connected to the world around us. Essentially the third way that Qigong makes you feel better is by moving your spirit.
Spirituality through the lens of Daoist Cosmology is developing the skill of balancing Yin and Yang — the skill of balancing the ups and downs of life! When we feel good in our bodies and connected to ourselves and the world around us, we embody the simplest and purest form of spirituality: being aware and present in each moment and living day-to-day with mindfulness.
Many people are drawn to Qigong initially to enhance their overall health and well-being. However, they often discover that practising Qigong serves as a gateway to a deeper exploration of spirituality and personal growth.
The three ways that Qigong makes you feel better is to facilitate a profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
If you’d like to try Qigong and feel the benefits for yourself then download my free Discover Qigong Video Series here.
Nicole Lee, Qigong Devotee, Mentor & Guide
Nicole Lee is an internationally certified Qigong teacher, with training encompassing both Modern and Classical Qigong styles. Over a span of more than ten years instructing Qigong, she has witnessed the transformative impact of this gentle practice on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nicole approaches Qigong with reverence, advocating for a modern and contemporary perspective to make this ancient healing art accessible to those leading busy and demanding lives.
