qigong
Meaning of qigong: Qigong pairs slow, deliberate movement with controlled breathing and focused attention, and is practiced both as exercise and as a traditional health discipline.
Definition of qigong
Qigong is a traditional Chinese practice that combines slow, controlled body movements, regulated breathing, and focused mental attention. It is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is described as cultivating and balancing a form of vital energy, though this concept does not correspond to a measurable physiological entity in conventional medicine.
Practiced today both as a gentle form of exercise and as a mind body discipline, qigong is used by some people to support balance, flexibility, and relaxation, and is sometimes incorporated into rehabilitation or stress reduction programs alongside conventional care rather than in place of it.
Qigong shares some movements and principles with tai chi, another Chinese mind body practice, though qigong routines are generally simpler and more repetitive, making the practice accessible to people with a range of physical abilities.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The rehabilitation program included qigong sessions intended to help improve the patient's balance and reduce stress.
Good to know
Qigong is often grouped with tai chi because both combine movement and breath control, though qigong routines are typically simpler and more repetitive, while tai chi follows a longer choreographed sequence.