Viral Videos Highlight Qigong
as a Key to Healthy Ageing
An ancient Chinese practice known as qigong has surged in popularity online, with videos of elderly Chinese practitioners performing the exercises gaining millions of views. Social media influencers and videos of Chinese grandmothers moving gracefully in public parks have brought renewed global attention to these "longevity exercises."
Qigong, a 4,000-year-old component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), integrates deliberate movement, breathing techniques, and meditative focus. Rooted in Daoist philosophy, the practice aims to promote health by ensuring the smooth flow of qi—the body’s vital energy—thus reducing energy stagnation and enhancing self-healing.
According to qigong expert Peter Deadman, its real strength lies in combining movement, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and mental focus. This triad not only eases stress but also improves physical well-being in ways that differ from many Western workouts.
Accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, qigong includes gentle exercises such as “cloud hands” and the “awakening stretch,” as well as more stimulating practices like “body tapping” and “punch with a twist.” These movements are also believed to activate the lymphatic system—boosting immunity and supporting detoxification.
Scientific research supports many of these claims. A 2010 review of 77 studies found that qigong and tai chi improved bone health, cardiovascular and respiratory function, and reduced anxiety and depression. More recently, a 2023 study suggested qigong may positively affect brain regions tied to memory, focus, and cognitive processing.
As qigong goes mainstream, experts argue it could offer a powerful, low-impact path to healthy ageing—one that's as mentally enriching as it is physically restorative.
