For more than 5 thousand years Qi Gong has been the recognized health and healing paradigm for millions in the east. It is now becoming very prominent in the west. This expansion has helped us as humans to come together in spite of our different cultures. Our collective mission in practicing QiGong exercises is the same- “Reclaiming Our Healing Power.
What is Qi Gong?
Qi means “breath” or “air”, the “vital-life-force” or “life-force energy.” The qigong masters teach that this vital-life-force penetrates and permeates everything in the universe. It corresponds to the Christian Holy Spirit, the Greek “pneuma,” the Sanskrit “prana,” or the Western medical conception of “bioelectricity.”
Gong means “work”, “effort” and is the commitment an individual puts into any practice or skill that requires time, patience, and repetition to perfect. 
The two basic types are: External Elixer (physical movement) and Internal Elixir (focus imagination, intention and attention) Its three categories are Martial Qigong- Spiritual Qigong and Medical QiGong. The four branches include Traditional Chinese Medicine and the energetic foundation from which acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Chinese massage (tui na) originated. Thus Qigong shares the foundational theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses similar diagnostic and treatment methods.
To begin– I needed to focus my study with Master Robert Peng and Master Qi Feilong on practicing regularly to develop the ability to manipulate my Qi energy and enjoy its benefits. The Great Masters claim that QiGong practice promotes self-healing, prevents disease, and can increase longevity. Qigong has been found, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Cleveland Clinic’s Hospital and Medical Research to promote a better flow of Qi. With improved Qi flow comes better health overall.
Practitioners believe that to effectively emit Qi to help heal others, Qigong healers need to maintain their personal health. Therefore, they continuously practice self-healing Qigong to regulate their personal health. The practice of Qigong teaches that without self-healing, the Qigong healer’s ability to heal diminishes as well as his or her own health.
Many who practice QiGong regularly believe that a diligent practice helps to progressively develop other skills such as clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience, that can help the healer’s diagnosis skills.
How does it heal?
All living organisms give off a bioelectric field. A seasoned Qigong healer can detect these fields, as well as their imbalances. The goal of Qigong is to correct the imbalances that have accumulated throughout a person’s lifetime. Imbalances occur from deep-seated emotions (stress, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, etc.), trauma or injury, improper diet, excessive sexual activity, lack of exercise, etc. Imbalances may also be acquired from our parents (both constitutional and emotional).
Through simple postures, deep breathing patterns, and intention setting the practice has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression, relieve chronic pain, improve well-being and strengthen the immune system. Studies by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, indicate no major negative side effects to the practice, even in older adults and people with chronic health conditions. In fact as a so-called old guy, I have had some incredible positive experiences and benefits from my QiGong practice. 
Many top Qigong healers understand the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory: (Qi, five-element, meridians, and other theory) and its applications. A healer uses this foundational knowledge in partnership with intuition to balance the patient’s Qi. However, if a Qigong healer relies too heavily on theory, or too much on intuition, he or she won’t become a great healer.
Only those who find the balance do so.
Qi that courses through our entire being must flow properly, like a river. If there is a block, Qi becomes stagnant and prevents other parts of the body from being nourished. If the Qi flows too rapidly, it causes degeneration or exhaustion of the internal organs. The practice of Qigong exercises helps to balance these energies: filling deficiencies and removing excess.
Practicing Qigong activates acupuncture points, meridians, and organ systems, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, practicing and receiving Qigong is similar to a powerful acupuncture treatment. Qigong also likely works in the same manner as other physical exercise to relieve emotional stress.
I am grateful to have met and practiced with wonderful teachers like Master Robert Peng and Master Qi Feilong.
There are many QiGong success stories such as “cured of hearing loss”, “reversal of chronic illness” along with enjoyment of overall good health, high energy and long life. Some examples we have mentioned in our weekly email initiative.
In the Qigong section on our website Master Peng and I offer some simple QiGong movements to move and unblock our energy. One is the shaking exercise which is a magical but simple exercise to relive stress and even address some internal bodily issues we may have. I am happy to go into detail if you want to know more: contactus@onamahealth.com
As my teacher Master Robert Peng used to wish for all of us- “may you enjoy good health, wealth and good Qi.”
Master Qi Feilong setting fire to newspaper with only his Qi Gong concentration power