One such group is starting to build a name for itself. The World Qigong Federation recently assembled for its third bi-annual meeting in San Francisco. This group represents those with a professional interest in a form of Chinese medicine called qigong. Like t'ai chi, qigong is a slow, almost dance-like movement with a long history in Chinese culture, both spiritual and medical. This practice is now being actively researched by the US government and others to understand more about its potential health benefits - including reduced blood pressure, chronic pain control, and other diseases considered the most elusive by the western medical community.

During November 21-25, a group of over 500 renowned Qigong researchers and practitioners from such institutions as Stanford University in California, The University of Alberta in Canada (*hotlink to bio), and The Beijing Chief Navy Hospital in China gathered in San Francisco to present research and review policies to increase the use of qigong for health. The Congress was sponsored by the East West Academy of Healing Arts.

Highlights of the event included a letter of greeting to congress participants from US president Bill Clinton. Further, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, made a personal appearance and pronounced November 20-26th "Qigong Week in San Francisco".

The Congress covered numerous areas pertinent to participants, including: research, culture, practice, and policy.

Research
The Congress allowed high-level researchers from around the world to present and debate information demonstrating the medical effectiveness of qigong. Research centered on the effectiveness of qigong in addressing serious medical problems such as chronic back pain, diabetes, hypertension, and other so-called lifestyle diseases.

Culture
In addition to the science behind qigong, award-winning PBS producer and qigong teacher/master Garri Garripoli, brought the members a sense of the magic and mystery behind qigong by sharing a 4-minute clip from 44 hours of footage, hot off the press from a recently completed one-year qigong sabbatical in China. Mr. Garripoli explains, "The purpose of the documentary is to offer a new way of looking at qigong." Instead of merely breaking down the movements into a "how-to" format, he takes us along with the elder Masters of qigong (Garri's teachers), allowing us to see the "backstage" of qigong - its root in Chinese history and culture. By providing a cultural context, we suddenly understand qigong from a personal, intuitive point-of-view, and can see how it might fit into our lives. On the one hand, we understand that, for our souls to be well-developed, we need a strong body. We need to work on our physical health to achieve spiritual growth. On the other hand, we feel the importance of directly working on spiritual issues by focusing on our own breathing, and by naturally appreciating nature and the world around us.

The footage gives us a sense of both the physical and spiritual elements of qigong. Among the film's peak moments, we are given the western-world's first-time glimpse of several dazzling Chinese temples, nestled on mountaintops, where Garri was the first western visitor. In the depths of these temples and villages, we see how qigong originated from dance, mimicking animal movements (think of a tiger stealthily moving through a forest - now try moving with that kind of attention and grace - watch your energy and awareness grow). Garripoli is now in the process of raising the capital necessary to complete the one-hour documentary by securing underwriters who will donate money to PBS for this purpose. He notes that "this is a tax-deductible way to get a good message out to the people who need it and get some advertising exposure for them too!" (*hotlink to Garripoli's email address).

Practice
The Congress allowed participants to watch demonstrations and practice qigong. Sessions were led by conference chair, Effie Poy Yew Chow, Ph.D., RN, a qigong master and consultant to the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), founded by the US government to research the medical effectiveness of Chinese medicine and other forms of alternative medicine. Seeing Dr. Chow in action, it is no surprise that she has made it onto Bill Clinton's radar screen. Not only does she exude political finesse in terms of helping get qigong, once considered obscure and quack-medicine, onto the agenda of our government, but she is a healer with legions of "clients" (she does not use the word "patient), traveling to the conference from 16 countries. Doctors, lawyers and nurses were among her devotees, all dressed in loose-fitting clothing and practicing deep breathing. They noticed "calmness", "tingling", and "focus", as they mindfully practiced belly breathing, and learned the power of hugs to get the "qi" energy flowing within themselves and amongst group members. In her book, "Qigong", Medipress, 1996 (*hotlink to ChannelA's shopping page), Dr. Chow provides people just beginning to learn qigong with what she considers the most important components, including:

1) At least eight hugs a day
2) At least three belly laughs a day
3) A positive mental attitude
4) Proper posture and breathing with the diaphragm
5) Meditation daily
6) Good nutrition, supplements, perhaps herbs
7) Qigong exercises
8) Being at peace with yourself and others
9) Living the "qi" energy concept
10) Giving and receive lots of love

Policy
This conference helped to get researchers, health practitioners, and individuals to address fundamental questions raised by qigong. The conference ended with a statement by a representative of the National Institute of Health, who gave specific directions for the type of research needed to help move qigong and other aspects of alternative medicine into the mainstream of the American medical system. Next, The World Qigong Federation is working on policy recommendations to help increase availability of qigong, by encouraging insurers, healthcare providers, employers and other agents to increase access to qigong. The Fourth World Qigong Congress will be held in two years from, April 23-25, 1999 in San Francisco.