Qigong, which is sometimes spelled Chi-Kung (and pronounced chee-gung), is the practice & study of cultivating vital-life-force through various techniques. These include: breathing techniques, postures, meditations, & guided imagery.

Qi, simply put, is "vital-life-force" or "life-force energy." It means "breath" or "air" & is an energy or collective form of energies. This vital-life-force penetrates & permeates everything in the universe. It corresponds to the Greek "pneuma," the Sanskrit "prana," or the Western medical conception of "bioelectricity."

Gong means "work" or "effort" & is the commitment an individual puts into any practice or skill that requires time, patience, & repetition to perfect.

Through study, the individual develops the ability to manipulate this energy to promote self-healing, prevent disease, and increase longevity.