What is Combining Practice and Nurturing in Qigong?

In qigong exercise, the concepts of 'practice' (练) and 'nurturing' (养) represent two distinct yet complementary states. A successful qigong routine must emphasize both active practice and passive nurturing.

'Practice' refers to the conscious, deliberate process of adjusting the body, adopting proper postures, relaxing the muscles, regulating the breath, focusing the mind, and eliminating distracting thoughts. This active phase lays the foundation for deeper benefits.

'Nurturing' has two meanings. First, after the active practice phase, the practitioner may enter a state of deep relaxation, soft and continuous breathing, and focused tranquility — known in qigong as 'entering stillness' (入静). In this state, the body's functions become more coordinated, and immune function may improve. The practitioner consciously maintains this state, allowing it to deepen. Sometimes this stillness lasts a long time; other times it passes quickly. Experience helps improve its duration and quality.

Second, if after practice the practitioner cannot reach this tranquil state and continuing the effort only leads to fatigue and tension, it is better to rest briefly before resuming or ending the session. The relationship between practice and nurturing is dialectical: without sincere practice, no results are achieved; but if one only practices without nurturing, the effects are also poor. Many practitioners, driven by impatience, continuously adjust their intention and posture throughout the session, resulting in discomfort and exhaustion — the opposite of the desired outcome.

In a typical qigong session, practice and nurturing alternate and complement each other. After 10–20 minutes of practice, a relaxed and calm state usually appears. If the practitioner feels some fatigue or breath irregularity, they can stop focusing on the 'three adjustments' (body, breath, mind) and simply enjoy the ease and comfort. After a short while, they may use methods to further deepen the qigong state. This way, 'practice contains nurturing' prevents overheating and discomfort; 'nurturing contains practice' extends the nurturing time and improves quality. This alternating approach greatly benefits energy regulation and overall effectiveness.

Both dynamic (moving) and still (static) qigong have internal nurturing effects, but the main benefits come from still practice. For those with weak constitution or multiple illnesses, nurturing should be emphasized.

Nurturing also requires emotional stability, an optimistic mindset, a balance of work and rest, moderate diet, regular lifestyle, and adequate sleep. Practitioners should pay special attention to emotional cultivation in daily life, as emotional fluctuations often disturb qi and blood. Clinically, it is common to see patients who practice diligently and master the techniques, achieving some results, but then relapse due to emotional upset. Therefore, alongside qigong practice, one must also cultivate rest and recuperation — especially important for the elderly and chronically ill.

References

Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) — Discusses the regulation of spirit, qi, and body in health cultivation.
Daoist qigong texts — Emphasize the balance of movement and stillness, practice and nurturing.
Modern qigong research — Studies on the physiological effects of meditative states and relaxation.