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Qigong (Chi Kung) has been an important part of Eastern history and culture since ancient times.  The history of Qigong can be traced back some 7,000 years to the dance of Yinkong, an early documented dance for arthritis prevention and healing designed to release stagnant energy caused by high humidity in China at that time.  

In those days people intuitively knew that feeling bad, being sick or in pain were somehow associated with a lack of movement.  An understanding developed that feeling good, being well and reducing pain was connected to certain motions.  Stagnation equals illness.  Movement creates wellness.  Traditionally, people included dance of other forms of physical movement to create changes in the energy (Qi) of their bodies.  These changes were experienced as releases of old, blocked energies, stuck physical patterns and emotional feelings followed by a return or enhancement of their health.

As time passed, deeper understanding developed regarding the actual flow of energy through the body.  In ancient China the mapping of channels through which energy flowed was accomplished over a long period of time and the laws and principles of how this Qi moved were discovered.

The principles of Yin-Yang were also discovered in China.  The complimentary, yet antagonistic, relationship between those two energy forces represents the universal actions of expansion and contraction and all other opposites.

The Law of Five Elements was formulated depicting the ways in which Qi moves through endless creative cycles while being balanced by forces of control.  These cycles are found within our bodies through our organs and their associated functions as well as in nature and the corresponding seasonal changes.

As these insights into the origin, function, purpose and flow of Qi developed, so did the ways of working with energy evolve from simple dance to more specific methods of movement, breathing, and mental concentration.  Qigong evolved slowly from nothing but Qi awareness to a series of specific forms (methods and techniques) utilized to cure illness, promote health, develop strength and increase longevity.

There are four major periods of Qigong development.

1. The first period was discussed in the book "Yi Jing" (The Book of Changes) introduced in 1122 BC.  It was called the period of "United Heaven, Earth, and Man."  This book described Qi as the concept of natural energies and the integration of the three (Heaven, Earth, and Man).  When people practiced energy meditation in those days (called Qigong today) they felt closer to Heaven and the earth and gained the power of predicting what would happen around them.  
2. The second period was when "Qigong mixed with Religion" (200 BC to 500 AD).  During the Han Dynasty (around 206 BC) Buddhism and meditation techniques were brought into the country from India.  The Qigong practice, meditation and religion were integrated into one philosophy during this period.
3. The third period known as the period of "Martial Arts" began around 500 AD.  During the Liang Dynasty (502-557 AD), people discovered that Qigong could be used for martial art purposes.  From the early 1900's on, Chinese Qigong training was incorporated with martial arts Qigong practices from other countries (India, Japan and Korea to name a few).  
4. The most recent period is known for its "Modern Qigong Research" (1980's to the present).  As more people practice Qigong it has gradually emerged from the tradition of a master selecting students to a more open practice were their is public teaching and scientific research. 

There are five major traditions in the practice of Qigong

1. Confucian Qigong:  This Qigong was designed to attain higher moral character and intelligence.
2. Taoist Qigong:  The practice stresses the preservation of the physical body as well as the cultivating a higher level of virtue.
3. Buddhist Qigong:  This practice is aimed at freeing the mind and emphasizing the cultivation of virtue and wisdom (enlightenment).  Buddhist also believe that the body is just a vessel for holding the spirit.  
4. Martial Arts Qigong:  This form of Qigong focuses on training and protecting the body from an attack.  It uses the fists and feet as weapons to attack an aggressor.  It also trained the practitioner to utilize his/her Qi to help deliver fatal blows.
5. Medical Qigong:  This practice focuses on the free flow and balancing of vital energy (Qi) within the body.  It helps practitioners to take control of their health by providing methods to prevent or remove illness and injury.  Medical Qigong trains practitioners on how to use "inner Qi" in a way to diagnose and promote healing.  This form is also referred to as Qi-emission.

Qigong masters have always been held in high esteem in Chinese society.  These masters were often the pillars of society and included teachers, healers, scientists, astrologers, martial artists, and philosophers.  Qigong masters served an important role in leading and developing Chinese culture.  Many cultural revolutions and much of China's social progress were the results of these masters' leadership.  

When a Qigong master was in the "Qigong State", they would often perform extraordinary feats, including healing and foretelling.  These masters were often referred to as gurus, sages, and shamans.

Ancient Chinese philosophers, astrologers, and doctors used the Yin-Yang and Five Elements (Earth, Metal, Water, Fire, Wood) theories to attempt to understand and describe the phenomenon of the universe.  In the 8th to 3rd Century BC, this philosophy was introduced into Chinese medicine to describe human physiology, illness, herbal characteristics, and the relationship between humans and nature.  It guided the diagnostic and healing processes and became an important aspect of Chinese medicine. 

Since ancient times, Chinese medicine and Qigong practitioners have been concerned with maintaining health and preventing illness.   

Qigong has been called by many names through the years including Daoyin, Xingqi, Liandan, Xuangong, Jinggon, Dinggong, etc.  In 1953, Liu Gui-zheng published a paper titled, "Practice On Qigong Therapy."  The term "Qigong" was adopted as the most popular name for this type of practice (exercise).  

Today, Qigong is most often referred to as a set of breathing and energy circulation techniques that are capable of improving health, preventing illness, and strengthening the body, mind and spirit.  Qi (Chi) is a Chinese term for energy.  Qi is the vital force behind all things in the universe.  It is the medium between and within all things.  The term "gong" refers to the power to accomplish something through a steady and sustained practice.  Qigong can be loosely translated as the "attainment of qi."  

Today there are over 2,000 known forms of Qigong being practiced around the world.  The medical society and healers use Qigong for preventing and healing illness.  Martial artists use Qigong to develop incredible strength and abilities.  Others use Qigong to attain higher levels of consciousness. 

In China, Qigong is generally practiced in two major categories, "still" and "moving."  "Still Qigong" (often called "Internal Qigong") emphasizes quiet, motionless meditation, generally employing methods of internal concentration and the regulation of one's breath.  It is usually practiced in outwardly motionless postures such as lying, sitting or standing. "Moving Qigong" involves movement of the limbs and body under the conscious direction of the mind.  Since the movement is expressed externally, it is often called "External Qigong." 

Western practitioners have divided and categorized Qigong into various segments.  The term "soft Qigong" usually refers to exercises which enhance spiritual, mental, and physical health with meditation and gentle exercises.  "Hard Qigong" refers to exercises done in martial arts to strengthen and protect the body from attack.

Thanks to Russell Des Marais for

providing a portion of the history