Introduction to Qigong

Qigong (pronounced "chee-gong") is an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that combines coordinated body postures, rhythmic breathing, and meditation. Developed thousands of years ago as a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its primary goal is to cultivate and balance "qi," often described as the body's vital life-force energy. 
Practitioners focus on three main "regulations" to optimize their internal energy: 
Body: Slow-flowing movements or stationary postures to improve flexibility and balance.
Breath: Deep, rhythmic, and abdominal breathing to regulate the nervous system.
Mind: Focused awareness and intention to guide energy flow and reduce mental stress. 
Key Benefits
Physical Health: Regular practice may improve blood circulation, immune function, and balance. Clinical trials have specifically shown benefits for managing chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.
Mental Well-being: It is widely used to lower stress, anxiety, and improve mental clarity.
Longevity: Traditionally, qigong has been practiced to promote self-healing and increase lifespan. 
Qigong vs. Tai Chi
While both are meditative movement practices, they differ in focus:
Qigong is generally simpler, consisting of isolated movements repeated multiple times. It focuses specifically on energy cultivation.
Tai Chi is often described as a form of "moving meditation" that involves more complex sequences of movements (forms). It has roots in martial arts.​It is a more advanced form of Qigong, emphasizing the cultivation of both the body and mind, both internally and externally.