Qi-Gong: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Woo, and a Fibro Body That Moves

I stumbled across Qi-Gong a few years ago. To be honest, I describe it as Tai Chi for the uncoordinated—which is perfect, because that’s me. Unco and proud. I’ve got two favourite YouTube creators I follow (I swap between their 10–15 minute routines depending on the vibe), and they make it feel super doable, even on my most “why-are-my-limbs-like-this” days. (Click on images below to access)

But here’s the funny part: sometimes, especially on gorgeous days, the TV just won’t work properly. It won’t load, won’t sync—nothing. And every time that happens, I know exactly what it is. It’s not tech. It’s my guides gently elbowing me: “Get outside, you goose.”

So I grab my phone, slip outside with the dogs (carefully standing in the grass, because... well, dog bombs), and I do it from memory. The breeze, the light, the rhythm of the moves—it’s a vibe. And when you’ve got ADHD like me, you need some clever life hacks. I set a phone timer or alarm so I don’t check the time obsessively and can actually relax into the moment. It’s like my brain needs permission to be.

What Even Is Qi-Gong?

Qi-Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle movement, breath, and meditation to cultivate and balance life force energy—called Qi (or Chi). It’s been around for thousands of years, used in Taoist practices, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), martial arts, and spiritual development. You’ll find monks doing it in temples, martial artists weaving it into their forms, and everyday people like me trying not to trip over our own feet on the lawn.

Qi-Gong literally means “energy work” or “life force cultivation.” It was developed as a way to keep the body healthy, clear the mind, and help the energy flow freely so illness and blockages don’t take hold. Over the years, it’s evolved into many styles—some super flowy and meditative, others more active and strength-based.

So, What’s the Science Say?

Modern science is still catching up to what Eastern medicine has known for centuries. Studies on Qi-Gong show promising results for reducing anxiety, improving flexibility, boosting immune function, and relieving chronic pain—including fibromyalgia. Researchers believe the slow, rhythmic movement, breath control, and mindfulness combine to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest-and-digest zone), lower cortisol (& tummy fat), and regulate the body's stress response.

In simpler terms: it helps you chill the heck out and move better.

Why I Do Qi-Gong Every Day (And Why You Might Want To)

Let’s be honest—I'm not your average movement girl. I’ve got fibromyalgia, scoliosis, a handful of old injuries, and a tendency to hold my anxiety in my shoulders like a weighted blanket I didn’t ask for. But here’s the magic:

When I do Qi-Gong, I feel lighter. Not in a woo-woo way (although yes, that too)—in a very real, physical way. My rods (yes, divining rods!) flow better when I’ve done it. The movement literally clears stuck energy, and the rods won’t move right until I’ve loosened things up. My intuition feels stronger. Before every mediumship session, I do a quick set of Qi-Gong movements to calm my nerves and ground my energy. It clears my head so I can connect clearly. On days I skip it, my body feels heavy and sore—like the fibro is slowly creeping back in. It’s like a daily tablet I choose to take. And when I don’t, I feel it.

This year (2025), I decided to stop waiting for things to happen. I looked at my palm lines (yes, palm reading is my jam) and realised the house move I’ve been dreaming of isn’t scheduled for another 15 years. So I had a little chat with myself—and with my guides. I thought, “Nope. I’m going to speed that part of the timeline up.”

So I made a promise: if I want big change, I need to show up for myself daily. Qi-Gong is one of those sacred promises. And unlike other commitments (like relationships I probably stayed in too long—whoops), this one is nourishing, sustainable, and entirely mine.

Want to Try?

You don’t need to be spiritual. You don’t need experience. You just need a curious mind, a body (any version will do), and maybe a timer if you’ve got ADHD like me. You can start with YouTube—or better yet, come along to one of my workshops where I teach you how to use rods, tune into your energy, and combine it all with intuitive movement like Qi-Gong.

We weave together body awareness, energy flow, and spiritual connection into something that’s honestly a little bit magical (and totally doable—even if you're as unco as me).

And if your TV mysteriously stops working one sunny morning... now you’ll know why.

Want to explore Qi-Gong and rods with me? Let’s move energy, laugh at our wobbly limbs, and make space for the guides to show us what’s next. -Ang x