The word Qigong (or chi kung) is made up of two Chinese characters. Qi (pronounced “chee”) is usually translated to mean the life force or the vital energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, gong (pro- nounced “gung”) means accomplishment or skill that is cultivated though steady practice. Together, Qigong means cultivating energy.
Qigong is an ancient practice of energy exercises used to improve energy flow, which is over 5,000 years old. Although similar, it is not the same thing as Tai Chi, which incorporates cognition, is an internal martial art and is a more recent development.