α. 1900s– Chi Gung, 1900s– Chi Kung, 1900s– ch'i-kung.
β. 1900s– qi gong, 1900s– qigong, 1900s– Qi-gung, 1900s– quigong (nonstandard).
qigongn.
/tʃiːˈɡɒŋ/, /tʃiːˈkʊŋ/, U.S. /tʃiˈɡɑŋ/, /tʃiˈkəŋ/ A system of techniques originating in Chinese philosophy as a means to focus and strengthen qi, involving breathing exercises, meditation, and hand and arm movements, used in alternative medicine and as a basis for training in martial arts. Cf. qi n.
ΚΠ
1966 Black Belt Sept. 6/2 This business of ‘Ki’ in aikido confirmed my belief in the existence of ‘Chi Gung’ in Chinese boxing.
1974 F. Dennis & P. Simmons Beginner's Guide Kung-fu Introd. p. xvi Internal emphasizes training of bones and muscles, exercises of ch'i-kung, subduing the offensive by stillness.
1988 Fighters June 92/1 A very impressive display of Chi Kung power when Jeffery Balmer took the full power of a sledgehammer smashing a concrete paving stone on his chest whilst suspended only by neck and heels between two chairs.
1996 E. Afr. Standard (Nairobi) 7 May 12/2 Qigong involves a system of deep breathing exercises that concentrates the body's ‘qi’ or ‘life energy’, which can then allegedly be channelled by exponents and used to cure chronic illnesses.
2002 Tai Chi & Alternative Health 32 50/1 Keep your belly and back warm as well, because chilling your lower Dantian and kidneys will severely restrict your Qi circulation, which is the exact opposite of what you are trying to do through the practice of Qigong.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1966