Qigong is a practice that uses breath work, body movement, visualization, and meditation to improve health. An ancient Chinese art, Qigong translates roughly as “energy work.”The Qigong practitioner learns to control the flow, distribution, and quality of his or her Qi, or “life energy,” to improve health and well being.

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It is thought that Qigong and Yoga share the same ancient roots in Southeast Asia. Qigong was originally known in China as “conserve your Qi in a bottle” or “conserve Qi in the body as if it were a bottle.” Archeological records indicate that early Qigong practitioners were farmers and shamans, who imitated movements they observed in nature and in animals.

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Beginning about 200 BC and extending until about 500 AD, Buddhism and yoga techniques that had been practiced in India for thousands of years were brought into China by traveling monks. Combined with the existing Chinese Qi practices, these yogic techniques brought a deeper, internal-functioning level to the energy work already developing in China.

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There are thousands of forms of Qigong, each passed down in different lineages, within families or monasteries, and each with a different emphasis. For example, some forms work to improve women’s health, others to strengthen the body’s resistance to disease, and still others for improving sleep, concentration, mood and memory. Some forms are quiet, internal practices, while others are more vigorous.

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Some forms are practiced standing, others seated or lying down. Anyone can practice Qigong, and its techniques can be adjusted so that it can be practiced regardless of age or health condition, ability or strength.

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Naomi has been studying and practicing Qigong since 1997, and has been a student of Dr. Liu Dong and Master Liu He in their Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School since 2002. She is certified to teach several forms of Qigong, including forms that support women’s health, anti-cancer forms, Qigong for children, and forms to calm the spirit.

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Naomi teaches Qigong classes, and teaches individual patients Qigong practices tailored to their specific health needs. 

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At the corner of the garden walls
On the branches of a plum tree
Flowering alone against the cold
I see blossoms from afar and
Know it is not snow
For thence came that subtle fragrance
 
​ — Wang Anshi,

Song Dynasty poet. Transl Mary Tang 2015