Health & Wellness
Types of Qigong Practices
15rows
6columns
36views
0downloads
Source:Community curated
Updated:4/9/2026
15/15
Practice↕ | Origin↕ | Era↕ | Movements↕ | Focus↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades) | China | Song Dynasty, ~12th century | 8 exercises | Health maintenance | Most widely practiced qigong set in the world, gentle standing exercises, attributed to General Yue Fei |
Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) | China | Han Dynasty, ~2nd century | 5 animal forms | Organ health | Attributed to physician Hua Tuo, mimics tiger, deer, bear, monkey, crane to stimulate different organs |
Yi Jin Jing (Muscle-Tendon Change Classic) | China (Shaolin) | Attributed to Bodhidharma, 6th century | 12 postures | Tendon and strength | Foundation of Shaolin martial training, isometric holds, builds internal power |
Liu Zi Jue (Six Healing Sounds) | China | 6th century | 6 sounds with movements | Organ cleansing | Each sound targets a specific organ (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, triple burner) |
Dayan (Wild Goose) Qigong | China (Kunlun) | Jin Dynasty, ~4th century | 64 movements in first set | Qi circulation | Flowing goose-like movements, popularized by Yang Meijun in the 1980s |
Zhan Zhuang (Standing Post) | China | Ancient, systematized 20th century | Static standing postures | Rooting and internal power | Foundation practice of Yiquan, holding tree-like postures for 20-60 minutes, builds structure |
Guo Lin Walking Qigong | China | 1970s | Walking with breath patterns | Cancer recovery | Developed by painter Guo Lin after her own cancer recovery, used in Chinese hospitals |
Zhineng Qigong | China | 1980s | Lift Qi Up Pour Qi Down | Healing and consciousness | Created by Dr. Pang Ming, ran the largest medicineless hospital in China in the 1990s |
Falun Gong | China | 1992 | 5 exercises | Cultivation | Founded by Li Hongzhi, banned in China in 1999, combines qigong with moral teachings |
Medical Qigong (Yi Gong) | China | Ancient, clinical since 20th century | Prescribed per patient | Therapeutic | Used in TCM hospitals, practitioner emits qi to treat patients, one of four branches of TCM |
Taiji Qigong Shibashi | China | 1979 | 18 movements | Relaxation | Created by Professor Lin Housheng, blends tai chi with qigong, extremely popular beginner set |
Soaring Crane Qigong | China | 1980s | 5 routines | Health and spontaneous movement | Created by Zhao Jinxiang, includes a spontaneous movement stage, controversial in China |
Pan Gu Mystical Qigong | China | 1989 | Moving and non-moving forms | Self healing | Created by Ou Wen Wei, uses sun and moon visualizations |
Spring Forest Qigong | China/USA | 1990s | Active and sitting exercises | Healing | Developed by Chunyi Lin in Minnesota, widely taught in Western wellness centers |
Fragrant Qigong (Xiang Gong) | China | 1988 | 15 movements in first level | Purification | Created by Tian Ruisheng, practitioners reportedly emit a fragrant scent after extended practice |
Free to explore · No signup needed
Related Datasets
More in Health & Wellness
Breathing Techniques Ranked
Box breathing calms Navy SEALs, Wim Hof pushes human limits, 4-7-8 puts you to sleep — which breathing technique is the most powerful?
12 rows3 shared tags
Tai Chi Styles
Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun - which slow-flow lineage belongs in your morning routine?
15 rows3 shared tags
Acupuncture Styles
TCM, Japanese, Korean, auricular, dry needling - which needle tradition actually moves the qi?
15 rows3 shared tags
Superfoods Ranked
Blueberries burst with antioxidants, salmon delivers omega-3s, turmeric fights inflammation — which superfood deserves the crown?
13 rows2 shared tags
Types of Sleep Aids
Melatonin, magnesium, ashwagandha, Ambien, CBT-I - which sleep aid actually works for insomnia?
16 rows2 shared tags
Sleep Disorders Ranked
Insomnia steals your nights, sleep apnea steals your breath, narcolepsy steals your wakefulness — which sleep disorder is the most disruptive?
12 rows2 shared tags