This article presents an in-depth, qualitative study, analyzing responses to focus-group interviews regarding individuals’ self-reported experiences and attitudes during Qi Gong practice. Semistructured interviews were conducted with three Qi Gong groups in order to collect research data. These data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to content and thematic analysis across and within groups. The analysis indicates extraordinary experiences of Qi Gong practitioners on various levels of bio-psycho-spiritual/energetic functioning. The results indicate how Qi Gong influences the complexity and multidimensionality of individuals’ health. In the discussion, the author compares and contrasts his results with other recently performed research.
Burns, N., & Grove, S.K. ( 2005). The practice of nursing research: conduct, critique, and utilization. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences.
2.
Chrisman, J.A., Christopher, J.C., & Lichtenstein, S.J. (2009). Qigong as a mindfulness practice for counseling students: A qualitative study. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 49, 36-257.
3.
Glaser, B. ( 1978). Theoretical sensitivity. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
4.
Guba, E.G., & Lincoln, Y.S. ( 1998). Competing paradigms in qualitative research: Theories and issues. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The landscape of qualitative research: Theories and issues. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
5.
Heidegger, M. ( 2003). Being and time. Oxford, England: Blackwell.
6.
Hesse-Biber, S.N., & Leavy, P. ( 2005). The practice of qualitative research. London: SAGE.
7.
Jones, B.M. ( 2001). Changes in cytokine production in healthy subjects practicing Guolin Qigong: A pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1, 8. Epub October 18, 2001.
8.
Krippendorff, K. ( 2004). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
9.
Lee, M.S., Pittler, M.H., Guo, R., & Ernst, E. ( 2007). Qi Gong for hypertension: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Hypertension, 25, 1525-1532.
10.
Litscher, G., Wenzel, G., Niederwieser, G., & Schwarz, G. ( 2001). Effects of QiGong on brain function. Neurology Research, 23, 501-505.
11.
McCaffrey, R., & Fowler, N.L. ( 2003). Qigong practice: A pathway to health and healing. Holistic Nursing Practice, 17, 110-116.
12.
Meinong, A. ( 1978). On objects of higher order and Husserl’s phenomenology . The Hague, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff.
13.
Merleau-Ponty, M. ( 1992). Texts and dialogues. London: Humanities Press.
Norlyk, A., & Harder, I. ( 2010). What makes a phenomenological study phenomenological? An analysis of peer-reviewed empirical nursing studies. Qualitative Health Research, 20, 420-431.
16.
Patton, M.Q. ( 2002). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
17.
Posadzki, P. ( 2009). Qi Gong exercises through the lens of Alexander technique: A conceptual congruence. European Journal of Integrative Medicine , 1, 87-92.
18.
Posadzki, P., Parekh, S., & Glass, N. ( 2009). Yoga and Qi Gong in the psychological prevention of mental health disorders: A conceptual synthesis. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16, 80-86.
19.
Posadzki, P., Parekh, S., O’Driscoll, M.L., & Mucha, D. ( 2010). Qi Gong’s relationship to educational kinesiology: A qualitative approach. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies , 14, 73-79.
20.
Posadzki, P., Stockl, A., & Mucha, D. ( 2009). Qi Gong exercises and Feldenkrais method from the perspective of Gestalt concept and humanistic psychology. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 14, 227-233.
21.
Robson, C. ( 2002). Real world research. Oxford, England: Blackwell.
22.
Sancier, K.M. ( 1999). Therapeutic benefits of qigong exercises in combination with drugs. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , 5, 383-389.
23.
Sancier, K.M. ( 2003). Electrodermal measurements for monitoring the effects of a qigong workshop. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 9, 235-241.
24.
Sartre, J.P. ( 1992). Truth and existence. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
25.
Silverman, D. ( 2005). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook. London: SAGE.
26.
Silverman, D. ( 2006). Interpreting qualitative data: methods for analyzing talk, text, and interaction. London: SAGE.
27.
Tsang, H.W., Fung, K.M., Chan, A.S., Lee, G., & Chan, F. ( 2006). Effect of a qigong exercise programme on elderly with depression. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry , 21, 890-897.
28.
Tsang, H.W., Mok, C.K., Au Yeung, Y.T., & Chan, S.Y. ( 2003). The effect of Qigong on general and psychosocial health of elderly with chronic physical illnesses: A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 441-449.
29.
Xin, L., Miller, Y.D., & Brown, W.J. ( 2007). A qualitative review of the role of qigong in the management of diabetes, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , 13, 427-433.
30.
Yang, Y., Rosengren, K.S., Decelle, S., & Reed, M. ( 2007). A model of benefits associated with successful aging derived from qualitative analyses of Taiji-Qigong (Tai Chi-Chi Kung) research on older adults. The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA. Washington, DC.
