Balancing Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science

Qi (noun): vital energy of all living things. Qi is of central importance in some Eastern systems of medical treatment (such as acupuncture), and of exercise (such as tai chi).

In Mandarin, qi means vital life energy and gong means cultivation, practice.  Qigong means vital life energy cultivation practice.  Qigong is a general term describing the Chinese practice of using qi or life force energy to improve one’s well-being.  There are hundreds of different types of qigong practices, and some began over 5,000 years ago.  With hundreds of qigong practices, there’s quite a variance but also similarities.  Most qigong practices use physical movement to enhance the body’s qi and qi flow throughout the body bringing the body in a state of balance and harmony.  The benefits of qigong are numerous.  Physically, people often achieve improved balance, stamina, immune function, and strength.  Qigong is also practiced for emotional and mental benefits such as increased focus, quality sleep, and improved understanding of bringing oneself into relaxation.  

Wisdom Qigong (Zhineng Qigong in Mandarin) is a contemporary qigong practice developed by Dr. Pang Ming and introduced to the public in the 1980’s.  Dr. Pang Ming is a Western and Eastern trained physician, qigong and tai chi expert, professor, and scientist.   For over 5,000 years the effects of qigong have been observed; thanks to Dr. Pang, the effects of qigong are now becoming understood.

In 1988 Dr. Pang opened a Wisdom (Zhineng) Qigong center named, The Hua Xia Center often referred to as, “The Center”.  The Center had three areas, a training program, Wisdom (Zhineng) Qigong clinic referred to as “The Medicine-less Hospital”, and a research center.  

Wisdom (Zhineng) Qigong is a practice of vital, life-force energy.  Our bodies are constantly exchanging qi with our external environment similarly to our lungs constantly exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.  Imagine how disruptive it would be if our intake of oxygen is not balanced with our discharge of carbon dioxide?  Through gentle physical movements, chanting practices, and silent meditation we “exercise our qi system” to maintain or restore physical, emotional, and mental balance. 

The 1990’s the Chinese Government Ministry of Sports named Zhineng (Wisdom) Qigong the most effective Qigong in China.  

Balance is a key element of Wisdom Qigong. When the body’s systems are in a state of balance, physical, emotional, and mental well-being flourishes. As living beings, we are in a constant state of growth, development, and change. So it’s natural for what was balanced to not stay balanced. After all, life is a dynamic process. Balance is not a “one and done,” but more of an ongoing practice. Wisdom Qigong restores and refines physical, emotional, mental balance.

The Research Center

In 1984, Dr. Pang made his work called “The Body Qi Field” public.  In 2016, the NIH published a paper called, “The Human Energy Field: A Concept Analysis” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27881613/ .   

Dr. Pang’s work re: the Body Qi Field goes beyond whether it exists.  His work discusses how the Body Qi Field serves as an immune system and which practices to maintain and improve its function.  

All qigong practices employ qi theory, but the Hua Xia Center differed, in that it continued examining and understanding the “why” behind 5,000 years of powerful observation.  This was the process that led to Dr. Pang developing the “Three Levels of Substances Hypothesis”.    This hypothesis states that qi is not only vital life energy but also information and physical matter.  This is crucial information to better understand “qi physiology” and improve practice outcomes. 

The Clinic 

The Hua Xia Center offered Zhineng Qigong, acupuncture, and herbal therapy in an inpatient and outpatient model.  People often came to the Hua Xia Center after receiving information that there was no hope of their condition improving. The people receiving therapy were not referred to as patients but rather as students and those administering therapeutic care were called teachers. The Xua Xia Center was often referred to as “School”. 

To work at The Center as a “teacher” one needed to finish a 21-month training program and achieve continued success with students.