As the head of the wellness coach team at FindItHealth.com, I aim to provide information on Qigong and Yoga, their similarities and differences, the use of both techniques, and their effectiveness.

Both of these traditional wellness techniques have their roots in Eastern heritage. These practices aim for the union of mind and body through breathing and physical exercise. These non-invasive methods aid in the healing process of many diseases and help humans stay fit.

The research team at FindItHealth.com compares and contrasts Qigong with yoga, reiki, and other forms of bodywork below. 

Qigong Vs Reiki Compared

Reiki and Qigong are some of the ancient methods of bodywork in Traditional Eastern Medicine. Here is how both can be compared.

The Similarities Between Qigong and Reiki

Both Qigong and Reiki are alternative methods of healing the mind and body by regulating the energy flow through the body. Additionally, both involve active well-coordinated physical movements. These practices along with cupping can help you with weight loss and cellulite.

Both techniques enhance blood flow, reduce heart rate, control blood pressure, and improve breathing patterns. Moreover, they relax the mind by repelling negative thoughts, anxiety, stress, and depression associated with long-distance relationships.

The Differences Between Qigong and Reiki?

The particular techniques of these ancient practices differ greatly. Qigong resembles yoga and martial arts. Reiki is a passive technique resembling massage.

Qigong is all about changing physical positions, controlling breathing rates, and meditation while reiki focuses on absorbing the energy of the universe to heal yourself.

There are 3 levels of Reiki where the practitioner learns to absorb energy and send it to others step by step. 

A master helps you perform the art of reiki, but you can do Qigong on your own.

Origin of Qigong

Qigong is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, just like fire cupping. “Qi” means “slow breathing and vital energy” while “Gong” means “continuous practice to cultivate skills”.

So, the Qigong exercise involves deep breathing, slow physical movements, meditation, and body coordination to bring mindfulness, health, and spiritual growth into your life.

Origin of Reiki

Reiki has its origin in Traditional Japanese alternative medicine. Here “Rei” means “universal” and “Ki” stands for “vital life energy flowing through all living beings“. 

Reiki is performed in different sessions where hand movements are used to channel the flow of energy through the human body. It unclogs the blocked energy flow and helps humans heal from the inside out.

Yoga Vs Qigong: Which Is Better For You?

The better option for you is the one that meets your needs. For example, if you are looking for physical exercise to build muscle while calming your mind, yoga is the better option for you. But if you want an exercise that focuses more on mindfulness, inner peace, and energy flow, Qigong is what you are looking for.

Main Focus

Yoga is a popular exercise in the modern world as it helps in improving mental and physical health by building muscles and helping in meditation. Qigong is mainly focused on healing a person through mindful movements.

Origin

Yoga originated in India as a method of enhancing both physical and mental strength. Qigong has its roots in China as a method of maintaining balance on a physical and mental level along with managing energy flow. 

Limitation

Furthermore, yoga involves active movements with countless poses. So, people with limited physical capacity can find it difficult to try advanced yoga asanas. On the other hand, Qigong focuses on balance and has limited poses. So, anyone with any level of strength and physical ability can perform it. 

Health conditions like fibroids are best treated with acupuncture. 

When To Use Qigong

Qigong can be practiced at any time of the day because there is not much effort required for this. It works wonders for people who get stressed and anxious easily because a few minutes of Qigong can leave you feeling calm and at peace.

All you need to do in Qigong practice is coordinate your breaths with physical movements and allow life-force energy to flow through your body.

This life force energy stimulates healing from the inside and helps in improving the health of almost all organs of the body. The best effects are on your mental health and emotional state. 

However, there is a set limit to how many times a week you can get acupuncture and cupping.

When To Use Yoga

Yoga is preferably done in the morning or evening when you have enough time to practice yoga postures. It is for people who want to improve their physical flexibility, build muscles, improve tone, and make their body stronger to resist injuries.

Moreover, yoga can be used as a relaxing exercise to deal with chronic pains, shortness of breath, osteoporosis, arthritis, stress, poor mental health, high blood pressure, and slow blood circulation.

Also, people with injuries need to be careful while performing yoga and only practice physical postures that can be performed without the risk of falling. You might need a yoga teacher if your aim is to help with muscle or bone recovery.

People also benefit by adding word meditation to their daily yoga routine. 

Qigong Vs Tai Chi Vs Yoga

Qigong is a passive exercise as compared to the active practice of yoga and tai chi.

• Qigong is solely based on relaxing, opening your energy meridians, and stimulating internal energy flow. For this, you do not need specific postures or movements. Rather meditation and deep breathing are the mainstays of Qigong.
• On the other hand, Tai Chi also involves meditation and breathing. Additionally, it includes continuous movement of the body through a series of poses looking like slow rhythmic motions. Most of the positions of Tai Chi are standing postures and are easy on the body as your joints and muscles do not need to stay in static posture for a long time.
• Lastly, yoga involves different sitting, standing, and lying flat postures. So, you get into a position, hold it for a short period of time, breathe and meditate along with it, and then move into another pose. There are several yoga classes as well to learn different yoga poses and their benefits.

Qigong is the easiest of these three exercises while Yoga provides the most benefits. However, the use of the three differs making one more suitable than the others for certain people.

Yoga Energy Healing Effectiveness

Yoga is one of the most effective techniques of energy healing and improving the quality of life. Additionally, yoga is one of the most popular types of alternative therapies worldwide because of its physical and mental effects.

A study published in the International Journal of Yoga at Pubmed Central explains the therapeutic effects of yoga in improving the quality of life. Yoga improves health by regulating blood pressure, improving musculoskeletal health, having positive cardiovascular effects, helping the mind to stay calm, and creating an overall sense of well-being.

Consequently, yoga can be effectively used as a holistic approach to health. Moreover, meditation is also a part of yoga and it improves the flow of energy through the body as well. So, yoga can be used to treat pain, spinal stenosis, insomnia, muscle spasms, weak bones, infertility, or lack of confidence.

FindItHealth.com: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you combine yoga and qigong?

Yes, yoga and qigong can be used in combination. The purpose of both practices is the same which is to bring together our body, mind, and spirit. Yoga focuses more on the body while the mainstay for qigong is spirit. So, they both can complement each other and result in additive benefits. 

Yoga enhances the strength, flexibility, and tone of the body while qigong improves resistance, tolerance, and suppleness. So, combining both will help you get the best of the two worlds.

What is the difference between yoga, Tai Chi, and qigong?

Both Tai Chi and Qigong originated from ancient Chinese medicine. Both focus on “Qi” or the energy flow through the body. The major differences between Tai Chi and Qigong are the continuous movements and positions. 

Qigong is a low-impact exercise that can be done with or without any movements. The types of movements done are simply the practitioner’s choice. 

In comparison, Tai Chi is completely based on active yet slow movements which are continuous and involve several postures. Moreover, Tai Chi is a martial art technique while qigong is for improving and maintaining human health and wellness.

Who should not do yoga?

Although Yoga seems like a low-impact exercise, it is not for everyone. Here are some contraindications of yoga:

• Pregnancy: Pregnant women should not practice advanced asanas of yoga.
• Frozen shoulder or injury: Almost all yoga positions involve joint movement which can delay the healing of a frozen shoulder or injury.
• Lower back pain or sciatica: These painful conditions can be triggered by several positions of yoga.
• Surgery: Yoga is contraindicated for 3 months after an operation.
• Ulcers or hernia: Yoga asanas used to improve core strength can aggravate ulcers or hernia.
• Hip, wrist, or ankle strains: Stretching these joints can result in severe pain.
• Exhaustion: Yoga requires continuous attention and focus. Exhausted people may fall and injure themselves.

People with sensitive skin should not go for cupping.

Conclusion

The research team at FindItHealth.com has explained the differences between yoga, qigong, and other methods of non-invasive healing that bring the health aspects of body, mind, and spirit together. Also, there is no clear winner here because one technique works better for several people while the other proves more effective for others. You can also opt for invasive methods like cupping and acupuncture.