I want to talk about healing other people (and pets) with qi. There’s a lot of confusion on the subject, so I want to make it clear where I stand, what I believe, and what I teach.
I’ll be teaching two different Qi Transmission techniques in my upcoming Qigong 301 program:
- Opening Vital Points (OVP)
- Running the Qi (RTQ)
Both of these techniques are safe to learn and implement, and they also provide a big bang for your buck. But what are they exactly?
Medical Qigong or Qi Transmission?
In the 21st century, healing others using qi is sometimes called “Medical Qigong.” In my first book, I briefly mention how this is historically inaccurate. I’m not sure when the term got co-opted, but it seems to have happened over the last 20-30 years.
Medical Qigong traditionally referred to self-healing practices — like what I teach in my 101 and 201 programs. In other words, Medical Qigong helps the body heal from medical issues like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, etc. It’s a legitimate branch of Chinese medicine, just like acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine.
On the other hand, Qi Transmission involves two people: the healer and the recipient. I refer to this as Clinical Qigong Therapy in my book, but I’m using the term Qi Transmission here for two reasons:
- The word “clinical” doesn’t always apply. For example, those who complete my Qigong 301 program will be able to help friends and family using the techniques described above. So there’s no clinic involved.
- In my “12 Skills of Qigong,” I use the term “Transmitting The Qi” for Skill #12. I’m staying consistent with that here.
Common Terms Used for Qi Transmission
The classical term for Qi Transmission is Emitting Qi (fā qì, 發氣). I prefer to translate fa (發) as “transmit,” but I acknowledge that this is not a common translation. Honestly, there’s no perfect word in English, so we have to compromise no matter what.
Here are some other terms used in the 21st century:
- Eternal Qi Therapy
- Qi Emission
- Emitting Qi
- Qi Transmission
- Qigong Massage
- Medical Qigong
- Clinical Qigong Therapy
- Empty Force
Other Modalities Similar to Qi Healing
There are also energy-transmission arts that aren’t directly related to qigong, at least not overtly. Here’s a non-comprehensive list of other arts that are similar to Qi Transmission, in no particular order:
- Reiki
- Healing Touch
- Pranic Healing
- Quantum Touch
- Therapeutic Touch
- Chakra Balancing
- Energy Healing
- Polarity Therapy
Of these modalities, Qi Transmission is the oldest. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best, but it’s important to have a historical perspective on the topic.
Are We Really Transmitting Qi?
Some of you might not believe in the idea of transmitting qi – and that’s okay! The science on Qi Transmission is still limited, but I think it will catch up.
Nevertheless, there are interesting studies being done, like those from the HeartMath institute, that show how the human heart generates an electromagnetic field that can influence others.
More importantly, we know that relaxing the nervous system shifts us from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state – something that both ancient wisdom and modern science agree is crucial for healing.
Also, we now know that fascia and the interstitium represent exciting new fields of research. I talk more about fascia in my book, but here’s an excerpt that’s relevant:
– Fascia is the most abundant tissue in the body.
– Fascia is intimately tied to the nervous system.
– Fascia has ten times more sensory receptors than muscle tissue.
– Fascia interpenetrates and surrounds all organs, muscles, bones, and nerve fibers.
– Fascia forms a 3D, contiguous matrix of structural support in the body.
– Fascia is a force transmitter, dispersing external forces and helping to prevent injury in particular muscles, joints, or bones.
– Mood influences fascia, and vice versa.
– Fascia is an electrical conductor and resistor, generating its own piezoelectric energy.
I put the final fact in bold face because it’s relevant to the topic of Qi Transmission. Is fascia one medium through which we transmit qi? I don’t know, but it’s obvious that it needs to be studied.
My Approach
My approach is to use the two techniques above – OVP and RTQ – to “transmit” energy to another person. I put “transmit” in quotes because, in some cases, it’s probably more accurate to say “rebroadcast.” I’ll explain more below.
My approach is based on traditional Chinese practices. For example, in Dongpu’s Annals (Dongpu Zhi Lin, 東坡志林), written during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it says:
“When the Qigong practitioner practices well enough for himself, he is able to emit Qi to other people. Daoist priest Li Ruozhi in Du Xia can do so, namely spreading the qi. Ruozhi sat opposite my son Dai, who was weak since his childhood, and emitted Qi to him. My son felt warm in his abdomen as the sunshine in the morning.” (from Chinese Medical Qigong by Tianjun Liu et al, p. 291)
This ancient description is very similar to what we do with Running the Qi.
Running the Qi
When you perform Running the Qi, you’re not really transmitting your own qi. As I said above, I think it’s closer to “rebroadcasting.” You’re essentially practicing zhan zhuang (the warrior stances) and letting the recipient absorb qi from the energy field that you create. But there are some key points:
- The recipient is also in a Zen state—something you need to learn to facilitate for them. This calms their nervous system and puts them in a state where they’re ready to receive energy.
- You are standing behind them with your hands on their shoulders. They are seated. Physical touch further relaxes the body. I believe it also facilitates the “rebroadcasting” phenomenon.
- You are not diagnosing or treating specific issues.
- You are not actively transmitting qi.
So the healer rebroadcasts qi from their own practice, setting off a healing cascade. It’s a bit like donating qi – except that the qi never makes it to our bank account. Instead, we auto-deposit some of it into the other person’s account.
When done correctly, Running The Qi should leave you feeling the same as when you do your own personal qigong practice: energized and refreshed. You should not feel drained at all.
Fun fact: Running the Qi works on canines and felines too! You can’t lead them into a Zen state, but most dogs and cats are already Zen masters.
Opening Vital Points (OVP)
Opening someone’s vital points (OVP) is more complex than Running the Qi – and less effective if they aren’t already practicing qigong. When a person practices qigong, opening their points can give them a significant boost. However, OVP is a tiny bit draining for the healer – like donating blood. Don’t bother with OVP unless the person has an interest in learning and practicing qigong.
With practice, you’ll learn to open someone’s vital points without using too much of your own energy. Less is more with OVP. I’ll share all of my tricks for accomplishing this in the Qigong 301.
OVP is also useful in emergency situations. For example, if someone is in the hospital, you can open their vital points even though they might not be able to practice qigong. This will be draining for you, but so what? You’re donating your qi to someone in dire need. I’ve done this in several situations, and it’s a useful skill to have.
Note: canines and felines have different locations for energy points. These are easily learned, but they’re not the same as in humans.
My Qigong 301
I teach both OVP and RTQ in my Qigong 301 program, but I want to be clear that this is not a teacher training program, nor does it certify you as a healer. I’m simply passing on traditional qigong skills that you can use in certain situations—like emergencies, healing pets, or helping students and family members.
However, the honest truth is that you don’t need much more than these two techniques to be an incredible healer. That’s because this method of healing includes teaching. We’re inviting the recipient to practice qigong as well as receive our qi. And as you know – I believe that qigong is the most powerful medicine in the universe.
You should also be aware that there are a ton of charlatans in the qi transmission community. You’ll sometimes see videos of Chinese masters emitting qi with wild results. Some even use well-known parlor tricks, like applying chemicals to the hands to make them seem warm.
You’ll also see so-called masters using qi for BS self-defense techniques. These videos literally look like something out of Star Wars. Let me be clear: In all my travels, I’ve never met a master who could LEGITIMATELY use qi like that for self-defense. Qigong can bring real benefits for self-defense, but you still need to punch and kick.
I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but you’re used to that from me. You’ll thank me later. We won’t be doing any of this nonsense in the 301. Instead, we’ll focus on two no-BS Qi Transmission techniques described above.
Final Thoughts
Qi Transmission is an ancient art that has evolved over thousands of years. While the methods may seem a bit mystical, I promise that I’ll demystify things in my Qigong 301.
By learning skills like Running the Qi and Opening Vital Points, you’ll not only help others but also deepen your own understanding of energy and healing. Whether or not you believe in the literal transmission of qi, the effects of these practices speak for themselves—bringing balance, relaxation, and, ultimately, healing to both the practitioner and the recipient.