(Qigong enthusiasts gathered at Gantry Plaza State Park in New York to celebrate World Health Qigong Day)

On the second Sunday of August, 200 Qigong enthusiasts gathered at Gantry Plaza State Park in New York to celebrate the first-ever World Health Qigong Day, organized by the International Health Qigong Association.

World Health Qigong Day will coordinate the practice of Health Qigong at 10 am local time in 43 countries and regions across the world. Globally, Health Qigong will be practiced non-stop for 24 hours from East to West, starting in Australia and ending in Canada.

Chang Jianping, chairman of Chinese Health Qigong Association, said Health Qigong helps cure illnesses and keeps people fit, as well as strengthens the immune system, as it requires a psychological skill that brings body, breath, and mind into one.

“Qigong is a traditional Chinese exercise and healing technique, originally part of traditional Chinese medicine and ancient martial arts,” he said. “Confucians practiced Qigong to cultivate his mind and body.”

Chang introduced nine forms of Health Qigong, including Eight Pieces of Brocade, Six Healing Sounds, Muscle-Tendon Change Classic, and Five Animals. According to Chang, experts would be invited to give lessons on the basic movements of Health Qigong to benefit more people.

He also clarified some misleading statements. “Qigong is a kind of exercise; and not a miracle cure or a way to immortalize. People should approach it calmly. If people practice the movements and understand the harmony, they can benefit from it,” he said. “Beware of cults that say one can refuse medical treatment after illness. They are not real Health Qigong.”