In Chinese philosophy and medicine, “Qi” stands for both the moving and the vital force of the body, but also of the entire world. In Chinese, it has the meaning of breath, energy and fluid. The term encompasses many forms and modes of action. “Gong” as a Chinese term means ‘work’ on the one hand, but also ‘ability’ or ‘skill’. Qigong can therefore be translated as “constant work on Qi” or also as “ability, skill to deal with Qi, to use it”.

The traceable historical development of qigong shows changes in content and objectives. The most important influences came from Daoism, Buddhism, martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine.

There are many different directions of Qigong, including practices from the direction of Buddhism and practices from the direction of Daoism.

In traditional Chinese medicine, movement exercises that aim to increase Qi and make the body and meridians permeable to Qi play a central role. These include the various systems of Qigong, but also Taiji-quan and the other internal martial arts. The exercises are primarily used preventively to maintain general mental and physical health rather than to treat specific illnesses or complaints. However, the positive effects of the exercises on health are considered to be much more comprehensive than the effects of exercise in Western medicine, for example.

Clinical studies in Western medicine have shown that regular practice of Taijiquan has numerous positive effects on various aspects of physical and mental health, including the cardiovascular system, the immune system, pain perception, balance, as well as overall body control, mobility, and strength.