Qigong (氣功) is a time-honored practice from China that integrates movement, breath, and intention to promote healing, vitality, and inner peace. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daoist philosophy, and martial arts, Qigong has been practiced for thousands of years as a way to maintain health, restore balance, and deepen spiritual awareness.
Today, Qigong is recognized around the world as a powerful tool for managing stress, improving energy, and cultivating a sense of connection between body and mind.
🌀 Understanding Qi: Your Life Force Energy
The word Qigong breaks down into two Chinese characters:
- Qi (氣) – energy, breath, or life force
- Gong (功) – skill, practice, or cultivation
Together, Qigong means “the skillful practice of cultivating life energy.”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi flows through the body along energetic pathways known as meridians. When Qi flows freely, we feel healthy, calm, and vibrant. When it becomes blocked or imbalanced, we may experience fatigue, stress, illness, or emotional distress.
Through Qigong, we learn to regulate and enhance this vital energy using three key elements:
- 🌬️ Breathwork – Deep, rhythmic breathing to calm the nervous system
- 🧘♂️ Posture & Movement – Gentle, flowing exercises that open the body and release tension
- 🎯 Intention (Yi) – Focusing the mind to guide energy where it’s needed
🧘♀️ What Does a Qigong Practice Look Like?
Unlike high-intensity workouts, Qigong is low-impact, adaptable, and often performed standing, though it can be modified for seated or reclining positions. A typical session may include:
- 🕊️ Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)
- 🌿 Qigong Forms – Repetitive movements like "Lifting the Sky" or "Drawing Down the Moon"
- 💨 Breath Regulation – Slow inhales and exhales to anchor the mind
- ✋ Self-Massage & Energy Tapping – Stimulating meridian points
- 🧠 Mental Focus – Visualizing energy flow or connecting with nature
The emphasis is not on performance, but on presence — tuning in to the subtle sensations of energy, breath, and awareness.
Demonstration of Golden Ball Qigong
🌈 Benefits of Qigong
Practicing Qigong regularly can bring a wide range of benefits, including:
- 🧘 Reduced stress, anxiety, and emotional tension
- 💓 Improved circulation, immune function, and respiratory health
- 🔋 Increased energy levels and mental clarity
- 🤲 Enhanced balance, flexibility, and coordination
- 🧠 Support for trauma recovery and emotional regulation
- ✨ A greater sense of spiritual connection and inner peace
Modern research supports many of these effects, showing how Qigong can improve HRV (heart rate variability), lower cortisol, and even enhance the brain’s neuroplasticity.
⚖️ How Qigong Differs from Tai Chi
While Tai Chi and Qigong share similar principles — breath, movement, and energy flow — they differ in structure and emphasis:
Qigong | Tai Chi |
Focus on healing, energy, and inner health | Martial art with meditative movement |
Simple repetitive movements | Choreographed sequences ("forms") |
Usually easier for beginners | Requires more coordination and memory |
Excellent for rehab, stress relief, energy | Adds flow, balance, and martial awareness |
At Old Pueblo Tai Chi & Qigong, we teach both practices together, helping students explore how each supports physical and emotional transformation.
🌵 Practice Qigong in Tucson
Whether you're seeking stress relief, more energy, or a spiritual practice that meets you where you are, Qigong is a powerful, gentle gateway into wellness.
📅 Class Info
When: Monday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Spoke Coworking, 6700 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ
Who Can Attend: All adults (18+) welcome! No experience needed.
💳 Pricing Options
We’ve made joining simple and affordable:
🟦 Monthly Pass – $40
Unlimited Monday classes + downloadable practice materials.
Perfect if you’re ready to commit to your growth.
🟨 Drop-In Class – $12
Come when you can, no strings attached.
Ideal for those with changing schedules.
🌿 Why Join Us?
- Accessible to All: Whether you're a beginner or returning student, every class is guided and welcoming.
- Whole-Person Wellness: We integrate body, breath, and mindfulness for a complete sense of well-being.
- Lasting Benefits: What you learn in the classs can stay with you—reducing stress, improving sleep, and restoring calm throughout your day.
- Community: Our group fosters connection, support, and shared growth.
