Qigong for Immune System Boost

This qigong for immunity exercise is a part of the Tai Chi Qigong for Lung & Immunity Program. This exercise is extracted from the Shaolin Golden Bell Neigong. The teacher who I learned this qigong from used to work at the Jilin People’s Hospital in China.  He did a research on this qigong back in the late 80s when he was still working at that hospital and found those who practice it regularly, their number of T cells can increase up to 4 times than before.

The T cells play an important role of our immunity. They help destroy viruses, bacteria and other invaders, and fight cancer cells. They mature in the thymus gland. However, as a person enters puberty, the thymus gland begins to decrease in size. By the time someone becomes a senior citizen the thymus gland is so small that it’s hard to find.

There is some speculation that part of the reason why elderly people experience more incidences of cancer and infections than younger people is because their thymus gland is so small. Some scientists are trying to discover if the thymus gland can be regenerated in the elderly people. This simple qigong exercise may very well be the answer.

Qigong for immunity exercise steps:

1. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.

2. Relax the whole body.

3. Inhale as you raise your arms forwards and upwards with palms facing each other until they are in line with your ears, make sure you arms and fingers are straight.

4. Hold your breath and at the same time grab the ground with your toes and tighten your anus for about 9 seconds.

5. Exhale and relax your toes and anus.

6. Inhale as you slowly lower your arms to the side at shoulder level.

7. Hold your breath and at the same time grab the ground with your toes and tighten your anus for about 9 seconds.

8. Move arms to the front at chest level.

9. Form two fists and inhale to maximum capacity.

10. Hit your chest while exhaling hard with a “Hey” sound. (Sound comes from the abdomen)

11. Release your fists and relax your toes and anus.

12. Continue to exhale as you move your arms forwards.

13. Inhale as you spread your arms to the side.

14. Continue to inhale as you lift your arms upwards.

15. Exhaling and bring your hands downwards with palms facing downwards (visualize you are collecting qi with your palms and the qi you collected form a mist around your whole body to protect you).

Repeat steps 1-15 as many cycles as necessary until you break sweat.

Note: Inhale with nose and exhale with mouth. It is alright to feel a little sore at your chest after this qigong exercise.

You might also want to consider these exercises for lung & immunity.