It Takes a Village! Thank you for joining our wellness community. We are deeply grateful to the people who helped us create this website. We couldn’t have done it without the tireless support of: Deborah Coconis, Karen Spencer, Kerry Deleewski, Ann Meagher, Stefanie Healy, Jeff Thatcher, Jaylen Thatcher, Kele Baker, and Bradford Gladstone. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It Takes a Village! Thank you for joining our wellness community. We are deeply grateful to the people who helped us create this website. We couldn’t have done it without the tireless support of: Deborah Coconis, Karen Spencer, Kerry Deleewski, Ann Meagher, Stefanie Healy, Jeff Thatcher, Jaylen Thatcher, Kele Baker, and Bradford Gladstone. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It Takes a Village! Thank you for joining our wellness community. We are deeply grateful to the people who helped us create this website. We couldn’t have done it without the tireless support of: Deborah Coconis, Karen Spencer, Kerry Deleewski, Ann Meagher, Stefanie Healy, Jeff Thatcher, Jaylen Thatcher, Kele Baker, and Bradford Gladstone. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It Takes a Village! Thank you for joining our wellness community. We are deeply grateful to the people who helped us create this website. We couldn’t have done it without the tireless support of: Deborah Coconis, Karen Spencer, Kerry Deleewski, Ann Meagher, Stefanie Healy, Jeff Thatcher, Jaylen Thatcher, Kele Baker, and Bradford Gladstone. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Learn more about qigong:

National Qigong Association– membership association for the qigong community. https://www.nqa.org/ 

Qigong Institute–promoting qigong and energy medicine through research and education. https://www.qigonginstitute.org/ 

Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi–  personal health promotion and self-care through qigong and tai chi trainings and workshops. https://www.instituteofintegralqigongandtaichi.org/iiqtc/mission.htm 

Healer within Foundation–advances community-based Qigong/Tai Chi and other self-healing, body-mind-spirit practices through collaborations with individuals and organizations, to sponsor trainings, community practice groups and research. https://www.healerwithinfoundation.org 

Immortal Sisters of the Tao Foundation–Support for women to learn qigong, t’ai chi and taoist philosophy. https://www.immortalsistersconference.com/foundation 

An Introduction to Tai Chi by Harvard Health https://www.health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/an-introduction-to-tai-chi

Qigong 101: A Beginner’s Guide to the Art of Cultivating Vital Energy https://www.verywellmind.com/qigong-for-mental-health-8605825 :


Qigong Research: 

Qigong, an indigenous wellness system, involving coordinated body posture, movement, breathing, and meditation, has been associated with various health benefits. Here are some of the researched health benefits of practicing qigong regularly, along with sources:

1. Stress Reduction and Psychological Well-being: Qigong has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve psychological well-being by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that qigong practice significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels in participants. [Source: Oh et al., 2012](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22235051 )

 2. Improved Cardiovascular Health: Regular practice of qigong has been linked to improvements in cardiovascular health, including reductions in blood pressure and heart rate. A meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that qigong practice was associated with significant reductions in blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive patients. [Source: Lee et al., 2017](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27247411 )

3. Enhanced Immune Function: Some research suggests that qigong practice may enhance immune function, leading to better defense against infections and illnesses. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that qigong practice was associated with increased levels of immune cells and enhanced immune function in participants. [Source: Wang et al., 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18435597 )

4. Pain Management: Qigong has been found to be effective in managing chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. A systematic review published in the Journal of Pain Research concluded that qigong was effective in reducing pain intensity and improving physical function in patients with chronic pain conditions. [Source: Lauche et al., 2016](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928644 )

 5. Improved Balance and Fall Prevention: Qigong practice has been shown to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, particularly in older adults. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that qigong practice led to significant improvements in balance and reduced the risk of falls in older adults. [Source: Logghe et al., 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21054287 )

These studies provide evidence of the various health benefits associated with regular qigong practice. However, it's important to note that more research is needed to further explore these benefits and understand the mechanisms underlying them.  For links to additional research studies, see the websites listed above.