Tzu Kuo Shih

The practice of "qigong" is a cultural legacy of ancient China with a history of 4,000 years. In ancient times "qigong" was called "the method to eliminate diseases and prolong life". The term "qigong" was first used in the 1950's by Dr. Liu Guizhen, founder of Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital and School, Hebei China. He used the phrase "qigong" to define a health promoting exercise that emphasized breath regulation. "Qi" according to Traditional Chinese Medicine means "breath" or "vital life force" and "Gong" means exercise, specifically, movement that promotes healthy "Qi" throughout the body.

In 1955, Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital and School was established as China's first "medical" qigong training base. Dr. Liu successfully used Neiyang Gong Qigong (Inner Nourishing Qigong) as the medical qigong for the hospital. Neiyang Gong is an "ancient" practice with a history of eliminating diseases and prolonging life in a healthy way. Pre-cultural Revolution, physicians from all over the country came to train with Dr. Liu, including people from Harvard University in the United States, in Neiyang Gong and its clinical applications. Over 200 clinics were established in China. After the Cultural Revolution, the training base was re-established and today, Hebei Medical Qigong Hospital and School remains China's only state approved medical qigong training base. Dr. Liu Yafei inherited her father's practice and is the director of the hospital and school.

Today, there are many "modern" qigong practices. Each one is unique, and most have merit and value. An excellent "qigong practice" for health, was developed by Mr. Sun Kui Yuan, called "Yuan Xi Xin Qigong" or Beginning New Qigong. Although this qigong is used primarily for strengthening health and prolonging life, it has a cancer treatment component that is used as a "complementary" therapy all over China. Please see our "social oncology" web page for more information.