My Journey into Qi Gong, finding calm in the chaos

Last summer, I found myself at a crossroads—overwhelmed, anxious, and energetically drained. As someone who’s always been sensitive to the energy of people, places, and things, I knew something had to shift. That’s when I discovered Qi Gong, and it’s been a transformative path ever since.

What Is Qi Gong?

If you’re unfamiliar, Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that blends gentle movement, breathwork, and meditation. It’s rooted in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, and it supports healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. But it’s not just a set of exercises—it’s a layered system that opens the door to deeper awareness and vitality.

Why I Started

I didn’t come to Qi Gong casually. I was tired of feeling anxious all the time, and traditional coping methods weren’t cutting it. Life has a way of nudging us toward what we need, and for me, that nudge came in the form of an online Qi Gong class. The structure was perfect: lessons delivered bit by bit, each building on the last, leading to daily practices that grounded me.

At first, the movements seemed small—almost too subtle to matter. But over time, I realized they were laying the foundation for something much deeper. The value wasn’t always obvious, but it revealed itself slowly, like a hidden path unfolding beneath my feet.

What Changed

After more than a year of consistent practice, the shifts have been undeniable. I’m calmer. Less reactive. My mind feels clearer. The problems in my life didn’t vanish, but my relationship to them changed. I see them through a softer lens, with more spaciousness and less emotional charge.

Qi Gong reminds me of somatic healing—it helps release stuck energy, but it does so gently. It works on the body’s organs, acupuncture points, and meridians. Through movement, visualization, and chanting, stagnant qi (energy) begins to flow again. As it does, the body opens to healing and to the positive virtues associated with each organ—kindness, courage, trust, compassion.

Sometimes, emotions rise to the surface—memories, thoughts, even grief. But they pass through like feathers drifting to the ground. It’s as if my inner lens is being cleaned, layer by layer.

Going Deeper: Spirit Cultivation

This spring, I began a year-long intensive program that culminates in Huo Lu Gong, or Spirit Cultivation. The first phase focuses on the Six Healing Sounds, each linked to a major organ. We use vibrational sound healing, breathwork, and focused intention to harmonize the body’s energy systems and release emotional blockages.

Right now, we’re working with the lung and large intestine meridians. The lungs are associated with the virtue of kindness, and their emotional counterpart is grief. The large intestine represents the ability to let go—of what no longer serves us, of emotional weight. In Chinese medicine, this area is tied to the metal element and the air we breathe, symbolizing inspiration and clarity.

Even the face reflects this energy: the nose, cheekbones, and surrounding areas are part of the lung-metal zone. In our practice, we include the nose as a vital entry point for breath and energy, recognizing how deeply it affects the body’s balance.

A Path to Peace

Qi Gong is more than a wellness practice—it’s a path to restoring balance, strengthening energy pathways, and living with greater peace and presence. I’m so grateful I chose to walk this path, and I look forward to continuing my journey through the gates of Qi Gong wisdom.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, maybe this ancient practice is calling to you too.