Learn qigong
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Qigong is a set of slow movements, postures and breathing, sometimes with meditation, that grew out of traditional Chinese medicine; the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) counts tai chi, when done for health, as one of its hundreds of forms. Classes run in adult-education colleges, hospital health programmes and halls, and some run online.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoors or outWith othersUK and US
Someone who has done it
These are real people who did this, as reported by the outlets named. We opened each one before linking it. None of them is connected with this site.
What a first class is like
At City Lit in London, the all-levels chi kung (another spelling of qigong) course starts with the basic stance and warm-up exercises, then moves through slow, meditative movements and postures, and ends each session with a sitting meditation. No experience is needed, but you should be able to copy movements and follow spoken instructions.
Kaiser Permanente's eight-session Qigong Basics class in Northern California covers gentle movement, warm-ups, self-massage using acupressure points, stretching and meditation. It is open to the community, not only to Kaiser members.
Styles differ between teachers. The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain's instructor finder lets you filter for qigong teachers; their listings name systems such as Shibashi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing and Zhan Zhuang.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| City Lit, London (in person, Keeley Street) | 10 weekly sessions of 60 minutes | £179 full fee; £143 senior; £125 concession (as last listed, September 2025 run) |
| City Lit (online) | 10 weekly sessions of 75 minutes | £209 full fee; £167 senior; £146 concession (as last listed, September 2025 run) |
| Kaiser Permanente, Fremont or San Leandro, California | 8 sessions, booked by phone, no referral needed | $70 members; $88 non-members |
| Teacher directories (TCUGB in the UK, NQA in the US) | Independent teachers' classes | Set by each teacher |
The National Qigong Association's directory marks each teacher's level. Certified Professional Members have had their training hours checked by its certification committee; Practitioner Members have not submitted any, so the NQA suggests asking about their experience.
How to start
- Look for a beginners' course at an adult-education college or a hospital health-education programme, or search a teacher directory such as the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain's or the National Qigong Association's.
- Ask the teacher about their training and experience; NCCIH says qigong instructors are not licensed and there is no national certification standard in the US.
- Wear loose clothes and soft indoor shoes, and check the provider's health guidance before the first session.
Where to go
- Tai Chi Union for Great Britain: find an instructor (filter includes qigong) UK
- City Lit: Chi kung five elements, moving from the centre (London and online) UK
- National Qigong Association: Find a Teacher directory US
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California: Qigong Basics (Fremont and San Leandro) US
We opened these links on 11 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Two ways to plan it.
Plan it yourself Free
The links you need to book it, get there, find somewhere to stay and eat, and see what else there is to do nearby. They are searches for you to run; nothing is saved.
Show the links
Plan it with dates
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between qigong and tai chi?
NCCIH says tai chi began as a martial art and, when done for health, is considered a form of qigong, which has hundreds of forms.
Is qigong safe?
NCCIH says qigong appears to be a safe form of activity and that many studies reported no side effects, and in one review those reported were uncommon and mild. It advises not using qigong to put off seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
How do I find a qualified qigong teacher?
Use a directory such as the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain's, whose instructors it assesses, or the National Qigong Association's, which shows each teacher's membership level. Ask any teacher about their training.
What should I wear to a qigong class?
City Lit asks for loose, comfortable clothing and soft indoor shoes, and does not allow socks-only practice on wooden floors.
Where this comes from: NCCIH, Qigong, What You Need To Know; Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, The UK Union of All Tai Chi Internal Arts; Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, Find an instructor; City Lit, Chi kung five elements, moving from the centre (all levels); National Qigong Association, Find A Teacher; Kaiser Permanente, Qigong Basics. Opened 11 November 2026.
Read next
Sarvjeet Kaur took up archery with her son as coach and came home from Abu Dhabi with gold
How Sarvjeet Kaur, a retired businesswoman from India, came to archery on a counsellor's suggestion, learned it from her son, and won gold and bronze at the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026; and how to book a beginners' course or train towards your first competition.
Twenty-three hours across three Hawaiian channels made Ted Lomicka the first man to finish the Maui Nui swim
How a Tennessee healthcare executive who came to open water through triathlon swam three Hawaiian channels non-stop, through a night and alongside a young humpback, and how to start swimming in open water or build towards a long swim yourself.