Qigong Fact Sheet

Compiled by Francesco Garri Garripoli

• Qigong is pronounced "chee-gung" and literally means "energy exercise"
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• An ancient Chinese healing system similar to Tai Chi and Yoga
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• Estimated to be 5,000 years old
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• The foundation of both acupuncture and Tai Chi
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• Practiced by over 80 million people each day.



• A typical workout can last from ten minutes to one hour
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• An exercise system that combines slow movement with deep breathing.



• Qigong facilitates the movement of Qi (Chi) throughout the body to increase vitality. Qi can be thought of as bio-electric energy or "life force" energy
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• Found to be effective in lowering high-blood pressure.



• Regular practice can minimize the effects of diabetes
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• Has shown to reduce the amount of medication necessary for treatment.



• Studies show postoperative recovery time can be dramatically shortened
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• It is a holistic way to bring the body into balance and good health.



• Qigong is very effective for most chronic conditions and painful symptoms.



• Post-Cultural Revolution Chinese government is allowing Qigong to finally be brought out into the public awareness
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• The U.S. National Institutes of Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) in Washington, DC has funded in-depth Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) research projects at 12 major universities across the U.S. including Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and others.



• Thirty-four medical schools have included CAM courses in their basic curriculum. Some of these universities have even set up departments to incorporate Qigong into their research criteria.



• Qigong is an excellent complement to Western treatment for lowering stress and increasing the immune system
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• Qigong is a simple, daily exercise system for maintaining good health.