If you're here, Qi has called you, you just don't know it yet.

Yes, it exists, and  it’s real. But in the beginning, it’s hidden. With the simple act of allowing yourself to feel, you enter a path where something slightly magical, yet very real, begins to unfold.

Body awareness on one hand, tapping into the mindset, spontaneously, on the other. The greatest reward after continuous practice is not just feeling the Qi—life energy—but learning how to cultivate it.

📌 Table of Contents

1. What is Qi gong? Understanding Qi and its essence

2. Basic techniques of Qi gong

3. How to start practicing? 

4. The heart of Qi: Monkey mind & empty mind

5. Conclusion

1. What is Qi gong?

Understanding Qi and its essence

It’s a multidimensional training. Physical body. Energetic body. Shen. 

The first aspect of Qi gong focuses on the movement structure, which is about developing kinetic awareness—understanding how the body moves and how each part of the body connects. This is where you learn how to feel and recognize every movement.

It's about experiencing them, understanding the flow, and feeling how your muscles, bones, and joints are engaged. By connecting with the body in this way, you begin to foster a deep awareness of how energy moves through you, even though it might not be immediately apparent.

The second aspect is to develop energetic awareness, which means tapping into your energetic body. Once you've gained a solid understanding of the movement structure and body awareness, you begin to connect with the subtler aspects of your being—the energy that flows through your meridians and organs. It’s here that you start to work with Qi, the life force energy, and begin to notice how it moves within and around you. 

These two aspects which are closely intertwined - kinetic awareness and energetic awareness—form the foundation of Qi gong. The physical body and the energetic body, and understanding how they connect and interact is what allows you to access the true benefits of the practice.

At this point, we are not yet discussing the spiritual layer (Shen), which is the deepest level of Qi gong practice. While we may touch on it briefly, we won’t delve into it here, as it requires a deeper understanding and connection that comes later in your Qi gong journey.

Qigong is accessible to anyone, regardless of their physical or mental state. Whether you're just starting out or you’re working with physical limitations, Qi gong adapts to you. It’s a practice that anyone can benefit from, even if you're not feeling physically well or mentally balanced. It can be practiced while seated, standing, or lying down, depending on your needs.

Ultimately, Qi gong is not just a healing tool—it’s a tool for resetting the body and mind. It helps shift the nervous system from the “fight or flight” mode to the “rest and digest” mode, creating a state of balance and relaxation. This shift is crucial to preventing the body from becoming exhausted or the mind from falling into the trap of the “monkey mind.” Qi gong provides space for the body to reset and find its natural rhythm, helping you to move more smoothly and joyfully through life.

2. Basic techniques of Qi gong

Branches, styles and their functionality 

Finding your style to start with

Qi gong can be approached in different ways depending on your goals. Personally, I started with the martial styles, particularly Shaolin Qi gong, because of my background in martial arts. I began with the Eight Brocades (Ba Duan Jin - martial), which emphasizes moving from tension to relaxation while feeling the energy flow through your body.

It's a great starting point for those who want to challenge their physical body and have a more dynamic practice.

But Qi gong isn’t just about martial forms. It is a diverse practice with over 4,000 styles. While each style is different, the underlying goal remains the same: to cultivate Qi (life energy), clear blockages, and restore balance.

The essence remains the same with all Qi gong styles:  To clear distortions from the body. These distortions manifest in various ways: excessive fear, panic, anxiety, negative thought patterns, repressed emotions, physical blockages, back pain, knee issues, and more.

Different Qi gong practices target specific body areas: For example, lung exercises help release emotional blockages, facilitating better breathing. Heart-focused movements nurture emotional stability and calmness.

Some practices specifically stretch fascia, improving the elasticity of connective tissue and enhancing joint mobility, while others focus on realigning the spine, promoting proper posture and restoring the body’s natural balance.

Whether you’re practicing Shi Ba Shi, Ba Duan Jin, Dao Yin, Rou Quan, or Yi Jin Jing, each form shares this same intention: to clear energy pathways, remove blockages, and restore balance through meridians. 

At its core, Qi Gong is about working with energy and giving your body space to heal itself. It’s about finding balance, not just in your physical body, but in your energy, your emotions, and your mind.

3. How to start practicing? 

Phases of learning

Choosing the right approach for you

• Martial Qi gong (e.g., Eight Brocades - martial) for those seeking dynamic, physical movement.

• Medical & taoist Qi gong for a gentler, energy-focused practice that enhances flow and balance.

Kinetic awareness - Recognize different tension types:

• Maximal tension: full-body engagement.
• Explosive tension: forceful, quick activation.
• Slow tension: gentle, controlled, sensitive engagement.

Separate muscles from bones, feeling the subtleties of energy flow.

Energetic awareness:

• Focus on dantian, your center of energy.

• Learn to feel Qi, the life force, moving through your body and its pathways.

Mindful Observation:

• Start by observing your body and energy.

• Progress to non-reactive observation, letting thoughts and sensations come and go without attachment.

Acceptance of distortions:

• Feel and accept distortions in the body or mind (pain, emotions, tension).

• Only through acceptance can we release and heal.

The Practice

• Qi gong is about feeling, observing, and allowing the natural flow of energy.

• The key is to practice consistently, with patience and trust in the process.

4. The heart of Qi is your MIND

With just practicing awareness you are one step closer. 

How restless is your mind?

Monkey mind is the relentless noise within—thoughts bouncing from one to the next, pulling you in every direction, leaving no space for stillness. It’s the mental chaos that fuels anxiety, stress, and distraction. This constant stream of thoughts takes control, preventing you from being fully present in the moment.

Empty mind, in contrast, is a state of calm clarity, where thoughts come and go without attachment. It’s the art of allowing your mind to observe without judgment or reaction. In this space, there’s no struggle—just presence and awareness. It’s here that energy moves freely, and deep healing can take place. Empty mind offers the peace that enables true connection with your body, your breath, and your inner energy.

In Qi gong, the practice is about quieting the noise of monkey mind, so the flow of Qi (life energy) can unfold naturally. This isn’t about pushing thoughts away, but learning to simply observe and let them pass. The shift from mental chaos to mental stillness is where balance and harmony emerge.

5. CONSLUSION

Now that you understand the basics, I invite you to try these simple steps.

Simple steps to start Qi gong

1. Be open to practice. Allow yourself to feel everything, without judgment. Trust that you don’t need to understand it all right away, just feel the process.

2. Start small. It’s better to dedicate a few minutes each week than to force yourself into a long session once a week. Consistency, even in small doses, will bring progress. Both approaches work, as long as you keep going.

3. Even if you don’t understand everything, just keep going. There’s no need to rush or force comprehension. With time, understanding will unfold, but only if you remain patient and persistent.

4. Remember the three layers you're building. These are the layers of awareness: Kinetic Awareness (Body), Breathing Awareness, and Energetic Awareness. The spiritual -SHEN connection is not for this blog. 

Sometimes you’ll feel just one layer, sometimes all of them, and sometimes none. The key is that it will come naturally; you don’t control it.