My Journey Through the Diverse World of Qigong

[The_Neidan_Master]

Why Everyone’s Experience is Different (And Why You Should Try It)

There’s something almost magical about the first time you feel qi moving through your body. For me, it happened during my third week of practice. I was standing in the “embracing the tree” posture—arms rounded as if hugging an invisible tree trunk—when I felt a gentle tingling warmth spread from my palms up my arms. It wasn’t dramatic or life-changing in that moment, but it was undeniably something. Something I’d never felt before.

That was fifteen years ago, and my qigong journey since then has taken me through valleys of frustration, plateaus of consistency, and peaks of profound insight. What fascinates me most, though, is how completely different my experience has been from others I’ve practiced alongside.

The Spectrum of Qigong Experiences

When I first started attending qigong classes at a local community center, I was shocked by the variety of responses people had to the same exercises. While I felt subtle warmth and tingling, the woman next to me would often burst into spontaneous laughter during certain movements. Another practitioner regularly experienced emotional releases, sometimes quietly crying during our closing meditations.

“That’s the beauty of qigong,” my first teacher told me. “The qi goes where it needs to go, and everyone’s needs are different.”

At first, I thought people were exaggerating their experiences or simply responding to suggestion. But as my own practice deepened, I began to understand the profoundly personal nature of energy work.

What did you experience when you first tried qigong?

1. I felt physical sensations (tingling, warmth, coolness)
2. I experienced emotional releases
3. I noticed improved breathing or relaxation
4. I felt nothing distinct at first
5. I had unexpected experiences (laughter, tears, visions)
6. I haven’t tried qigong yet

The Science and Sensation of Qi

What exactly is happening during qigong practice? From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, we’re manipulating the flow of life energy (qi) through meridians and energy centers in the body. Western scientific explanations might point to nervous system regulation, increased blood flow, hormonal changes, or psychological effects of mindful movement and breath.

I’ve found that holding both perspectives simultaneously works best for me. The empirical evidence showing qigong’s benefits for reducing inflammation, improving balance, and decreasing stress is compelling. But equally valid is my subjective experience of energy moving through my body in ways that defy simple physiological explanation.

During one memorable practice session at a weekend retreat, I felt an unmistakable “current” moving up my spine—almost electric in nature—that culminated in what I can only describe as a moment of perfect mental clarity. A scientist might explain this as increased cerebral blood flow or altered neural activity. A traditional qigong master might describe it as awakened kundalini energy or enhanced flow through the governing vessel meridian. Both can be true.

Why Everyone’s Journey is Different

Through conversations with dozens of fellow practitioners over the years, I’ve identified several factors that seem to influence how we experience qigong:

1. Bodily Awareness

Some people start qigong with an already well-developed sense of bodily awareness from practices like yoga, dance, or athletics. Others (like myself initially) are relatively disconnected from subtle physical sensations. This baseline awareness greatly affects how quickly you notice qi sensations.

I spent my first month of practice simply learning to feel my feet connecting to the ground and the subtle weight shifts as I moved. My friend Sarah, a former ballet dancer, reported feeling energy circulation during her very first session.

2. Emotional Landscape

Our emotional states and histories significantly impact how we experience energy practices. I’ve noticed that people carrying unprocessed grief or trauma often experience emotional releases during certain movements. Those with anxiety might feel initially uncomfortable with the stillness qigong requires.

My own tendency toward analytical overthinking meant I spent months “trying to feel something” instead of simply being present with whatever was occurring. Once I released expectations, my experiences deepened dramatically.

3. Cultural Context and Beliefs

How we conceptualize energy, healing, and the body creates powerful frameworks for our experiences. I approached qigong initially with skepticism, coming from a science background. This likely delayed certain experiences that came more readily to practitioners who had no resistance to the concept of energy flow.

A Chinese-American friend who grew up with TCM concepts as part of her cultural heritage described feeling an immediate familiarity with qigong movements, as if her body “remembered” something her mind had forgotten.

4. Practice Style and Teaching

There are numerous qigong styles—some dynamic and vigorous, others still and meditative. Some emphasize visualization, others physical alignment. Finding the style that resonates with your temperament and needs makes an enormous difference.

When I switched from a more athletic qigong class to a medically-oriented practice focused on healing specific conditions, my experiences shifted dramatically. The slower, more intentional movements gave me space to feel subtleties I had been missing.

How important is finding the right qigong style for your practice?

1. Not important at all - any style works fine
2. Somewhat important
3. Moderately important
4. Very important
5. Critical for feeling benefits

Common Qigong Experiences and What They Might Mean

Based on countless conversations with fellow practitioners and my own journey, here are some common experiences during qigong practice:

Physical Sensations

• Tingling or buzzing: Often felt in the hands, feet, or along meridian pathways. I experience this regularly, especially in my palms during holding postures.
• Heat or cold: Sensations of warming or cooling in specific body areas may indicate energy blockages clearing.
• Involuntary movements: Gentle trembling, swaying, or even stronger spontaneous movements sometimes occur as energy pathways open.
• Heaviness or lightness: Sometimes parts of the body feel unusually heavy (grounding) or remarkably light (energized).

Mental/Emotional Experiences

• Heightened clarity: Many practitioners report moments of unusual mental clarity or insight during or after practice.
• Emotional releases: Unexpected tears, laughter, or other emotional expressions can emerge as energy blocks clear.
• Time distortion: I’ve often been shocked to discover 30 minutes passed when it felt like only 5.
• Visual phenomena: Some practitioners report seeing colors, lights, or patterns with eyes closed during practice.

Energetic Awareness

• Sensing energy fields: With practice, many people (myself included) develop the ability to feel the energy field around their body or between their hands.
• Internal flows: Awareness of energy currents moving through specific pathways in the body.
• Connection sensations: Feeling unusually connected to the ground, sky, or surrounding environment.

What’s fascinating is that you may experience all, some, or none of these phenomena—and your experience may change dramatically over time. During my first year, I primarily felt physical sensations. In my second year, emotional releases became more common. Now, I frequently experience states of mental clarity and connection that were absent in my early practice.

The Frustration Phase (And Why You Shouldn’t Quit)

If there’s one thing I wish someone had told me when I started, it’s this: Almost everyone goes through a frustration phase with qigong. Mine hit around month two, when the novelty had worn off, and I hadn’t yet developed enough sensitivity to feel consistent results.

“Am I doing this right?” became my constant internal question. I’d watch my teacher demonstrate a movement that supposedly directed energy to the kidneys, and I’d feel absolutely nothing in that region. Meanwhile, the practitioner next to me would be sighing with relief as their lower back pain dissolved.

I nearly quit several times during this phase. What kept me going was the memory of that first unmistakable experience of qi and the noticeable improvements in my sleep quality, even when I couldn’t feel much during the actual practice.

If you’re in this phase now, I encourage you to persist. Journal about even the subtlest sensations you notice. Approach each practice with curiosity rather than expectation. And remember that even when you feel nothing, beneficial changes are occurring beneath your awareness.

What challenges have you faced in your qigong practice?

1. Feeling uncertain if I’m doing movements correctly
2. Not experiencing noticeable sensations
3. Mind wandering/difficulty staying present
4. Physical discomfort or limitations
5. Fitting practice into my schedule consistently
6. Understanding the concepts/philosophy
7. Finding quality instruction

How I Overcame My Qigong Plateaus

Everyone’s path is different, but here are some turning points that dramatically deepened my practice:

1. Slowing Down (Way Down)

Early on, I rushed through movements, treating qigong like a gentle form of exercise. Everything changed when a visiting teacher challenged us to perform a simple movement sequence that normally took 5 minutes over the course of 30 minutes instead.

The slowness revealed micro-tensions I’d been unaware of and allowed me to feel energy pathways with remarkable clarity. Now, I sometimes spend an entire practice session with just three or four movements, exploring them with exquisite slowness.

2. Embracing Stillness

Some of my most profound qigong experiences have come during the simplest standing postures. Learning to stand in wuji position (basic standing meditation) for 20+ minutes opened doorways of perception I didn’t know existed.

At first, standing still was torture—my mind raced, my legs ached, and I counted seconds. Now, these still practices are where I feel the strongest energy movements and deepest states of presence.

3. Finding a Community

Practicing alone has value, but joining a committed group accelerated my development exponentially. There’s something about collective energy that amplifies individual experience. Plus, hearing others describe their journeys helped normalize my own unusual sensations and challenges.

4. Integrating Qigong into Daily Life

The biggest breakthrough came when I stopped treating qigong as something I do for 30 minutes each morning and started bringing qigong awareness into everyday activities. Washing dishes became an opportunity to feel energy in my hands. Walking became a moving meditation. Even brushing my teeth became a micro-practice of presence.

Why You Should Try Qigong (Even If You’re Skeptical)

If you’ve read this far and are thinking qigong sounds too esoteric or “woo-woo” for you—I get it. I was that skeptical person too. But here’s why I believe everyone should give qigong a fair try:

1. It Meets You Where You Are

Unlike many physical practices with steep learning curves, qigong can be beneficial from day one, regardless of fitness level, age, or health status. You can practice seated if standing is difficult. You can adapt movements to work around limitations.

2. The Benefits Extend Beyond the Obvious

I came to qigong looking for stress reduction and better sleep. I found those benefits quickly, but was surprised by improvements in digestion, immune function (I get sick much less often), emotional regulation, and even my relationships, as I became more present and less reactive.

3. It’s Complementary to Everything Else

Qigong doesn’t conflict with other wellness practices or belief systems. It enhances other physical activities by improving body awareness and energy management. It deepens meditation practices by adding embodiment. It can be spiritual or completely secular, depending on your approach.

4. It Grows With You

Six years in, I’m still discovering new dimensions to even the simplest qigong practices. As your sensitivity develops, the same movements yield increasingly subtle and profound experiences. Few practices offer this kind of lifelong growth potential.

Getting Started: My Advice for Beginners

If you’re intrigued enough to try qigong, here are my suggestions for beginning your journey:

1. Start with proper guidance: While YouTube has some good resources, nothing replaces learning from an experienced teacher who can correct your form and answer questions.

2. Begin with brief, consistent practice: Ten minutes daily is better than an hour once a week. Morning practice sets a different tone than evening practice—experiment to find what works for you.

3. Be patient with yourself: Remember that developing energy sensitivity is a process. Some days you’ll feel profound effects; other days nothing obvious. Both are part of the journey.

4. Keep a practice journal: Recording your experiences, even when they seem insignificant, helps you recognize patterns and progress over time.

5. Explore different styles: If one approach doesn’t resonate, try another. From medical qigong to more spiritual practices to martial forms, the variety is enormous.

Most importantly, approach qigong with curiosity rather than expectation. Let your experience be yours alone—not what you think should happen based on others’ accounts or what you’ve read.

My Continuing Journey

Six years into my practice, I’m still regularly surprised by new sensations and insights. Last month, during a simple “gathering qi from heaven and earth” movement I’ve done thousands of times, I suddenly felt what seemed like cool water flowing down my spine—a sensation I’d never experienced before.

That’s the beauty of this practice: it continues to reveal new dimensions of awareness, no matter how long you’ve been practicing. My relationship with my body, my energy, and my mind has been transformed not by dramatic spiritual awakenings, but by the patient accumulation of thousands of moments of presence.

Whether you feel rivers of energy coursing through your meridians on day one or simply enjoy a moment of quiet amid life’s chaos, qigong has something powerful to offer. Your experience will be uniquely yours—and that’s exactly as it should be.

What will you discover when you begin this journey?

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