The practice of qigong is not merely one style, but an umbrella term for many different practices that cultivate and work with qi towards a variety of uses, from martial to meditative to health purposes. From simple breathing exercises to Tai Chi-like movements or mental meditations, qigong practices can be incorporated into your everyday life the same way some people do light stretching for fitness yet produces far more benefits while requiring less strenuous activity.

One can do the practice of the Eight Silk Brocades and get a full-body stretch that improves vitality, but improves immunity, balance, and is low-impact activity that requires nothing more than one’s own body. Its sister practice as well, the Longevity Self-Massage, brings wonderful benefits like helping regulate one’s own body temperature, more restful sleep and assists in waking up, and prevents flus and colds.

Other practices can seem downright mystical, from Fragrant Qigong to Flying Phoenix and Tao Tan Pai styles, as taught by my teachers John Dolic [www.qigongchinesehealth.com/whatis_qigong] and Terry Dunn [http://taichimania.com/what-is-qigong-chi-kung/].

To learn some of these practices for the busy person who wants to improve their health without needing to commit to a serious program, this is a good option.