If you are looking for a form of alternative medicine that can help you heal and find an even more profound connection with your inner self, Reiki and Qigong are among the first disciplines that come to mind. While radically different, the two practices share some principles that make them unique. They might not be suitable for what you wish to achieve, so it is crucial to know the benefits that such practices can bring into your life and decide on the best one for you.
Reiki is an alternative medicine form that uses healing energy delivered through palm healing. Qigong, a discipline based on the “life energy” principle, focuses on the combination of movement, breathing, and meditation. The first is a healing treatment; the second is closer to martial arts.
Both disciplines claim to yield incredible benefits to their practitioners’ bodies and minds. Although, some of them have also been confirmed! Find out the best discipline for your needs.
Qi: The Life Force Behind Reiki and Qigong
Reiki and Qigong are essentially different disciplines, but they have something in common: they are both based on the principle of “Qi.” Qi is the life force, energy flow, or vital force at the core of our well-being – mental and physical.
When such a potent life force is impeded or influenced by daily events or unbalanced routines, it can cause severe consequences, affecting our physical and mental health.
Reiki is a discipline in which practitioners use palm or hands-on healing on patients to re-establish the right balance and allows this energy to flow freely. Instead, Qigong is the practice of balancing and cultivating Qi.
Below, we’ll explore the differences between these two disciplines. However, the comprehensive video below will explain the differences (and similarities) between the two practices if you are in a rush:
Reiki: An Overview
Reiki is an ancient Japanese practice based on the principles of alternative medicine. This type of healing is called energy healing and involves using techniques such as palm or hands-on healing performed by a Reiki practitioner.
The hands’ movements aim to transfer such universal energy, rebalancing and freeing the flow of energy in the patient’s body and mind. This is said to benefit general well-being, encouraging and promoting healing.
While there have been some determining studies, there is a substantial lack of research regarding this practice’s scientifically-proven benefits. Nonetheless, Reiki is something everybody can try – and many patients have reported feeling better after a Reiki treatment.
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Who Is Reiki For?
According to the statistics gathered by the University of Minnesota, 1,2 million adults and over 160,000 children have been enjoying the benefits of Reiki. Today, According to a Washington Post article, over 60 hospitals across America offer Reiki as part of patient’s treatment options.
So, Reiki is a non-invasive, natural, and efficient practice that everybody can enjoy. Generally, this practice has been used in treating episodes of pain, stress, anxiety, and emotional issues.
Speaking to a Reiki practitioner is the best way to understand the right treatment course in your case. Depending on your condition’s severity and willingness to commit to this alternative medicine, you might opt for a session or an ongoing appointment.
Benefits of Reiki
If you have been feeling stressed, anxious, or tired and wish to avoid medicines and medical treatments, Reiki might be your healing treatment. Indeed, this practice can have many benefits, and they don’t require you to follow medical treatment.
Some of the physical and mental benefits that have been linked to this kind of therapy include:
- Relieving pain
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Inducing relaxation
- Eliminating or inducing emotional blockages
- Promotes natural healing
- Balances bodily energies
- It can help to cleanse the body of toxins and support the immune system
- It might support other treatments and therapies you have decided to follow
This practice’s benefits are not limited to these advantages but are the most common ones experienced by patients.
What Is Qigong?
While also based on Qi’s principle (life force or vital energy), Qigong is an entirely different discipline from Reiki. As its literal translation explains, Qigong refers to the art and practice of cultivating and balancing this life energy.
Qigong is also a practice that has been part of Chinese and Asian cultures for millennia and has been refined throughout generations. Today, this practice is still profoundly inspired by martial arts training.
However, it also involves deep breathing, spirituality, meditation, philosophy, coordinated body postures, and movements. All this also has roots in Chinese medicine.
When practicing Qigong, practitioners dedicate time to meditative, mindfulness, and physical features.
This practice promotes slow-flowing movements, which, coupled with meditation, deep breathing, restorative practices, and relaxation, can help you achieve a calm state of mind. Today, this discipline is used as a form of mindfulness, exercise, self-improvement, and alternative medicine worldwide.
Who Is Qigong For?
Qigong is a practice based on slow, purposeful movements that encourage mindfulness and balance. While many of its principles might suggest similarities with yoga, the two methods are substantially different.
Indeed, yoga will require more flexibility, balance, and strength compared to Qigong. While undoubtedly beneficial, yoga is an entirely different form of exercise. Qigong, instead, is a practice that anybody might decide to try.
Its benefits range from reducing anxiety to enhancing cardiovascular and immune system health. Since this discipline won’t require you to be particularly strong or to boast high fitness levels, it is suitable for anybody. And it is traditionally practiced in parks, allowing you to spend at least 30 minutes breathing in the fresh air and enjoying natural sunlight!
Benefits of Qigong
Just like in Reiki’s case, scientific research that can point out the specific benefits of this practice is lacking. On the other hand, Qigong has been practiced for millennia throughout generations, as it can help its practitioners look after their bodies and minds.
Some of the benefits this practice might yield include:
- It can help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress
- It can promote the health of our cardiovascular system
- It can decrease chronic fatigue or tiredness
- It can improve the functions of the immune system and, with it, the immune response our bodies provide
- It can encourage well-being in people who suffer from other medical conditions, such as cancer
- It can help fight mood disturbances and swings
While the experience of those who practice Qigong regularly shows us the benefits this practice can yield, studies are still limited. Nonetheless, like Tai Chi, Qigong can be highly beneficial and safe for nearly everybody to practice. Ultimately, given its benefits, there is no reason not to try it!
Final Thoughts
Both Reiki and Qigong are ancient disciplines based on the principle of “life energy.” However, the first one is closer in feel and looks to a massage, where the treatment is delivered through hands-on or palm healing techniques. It can feel more passive from the point of view of the recipient.
Instead, Qigong is a discipline originating from various ancient practices such as martial arts and meditation, and it has the primary aim of cultivating emotional and physical balance. Coordination, meditation, and deep breathing are only a few of the aspects that make this discipline so effective.