Qi Gong (also called "Chi Kung") is a practice that predates acupuncture. Its ultimate goal is the transcendence of death itself. For those of us with more modest aims, the practice of Qi Gong can bring great improvement in the quality of life in one's later years. Here, we talk to Frank Chan, who — with his brother Luke — teaches a version of healing Qi Gong especially suited to Western needs.

Diane: What form of Qi Gong do you teach?

Frank: The Qi Gong we teach is called Chil-Lel, and is a medical Qi Gong. Qi Gong is considered two words — "Qi" is bioenergy, and "Gong" is practice.

Our bodies should be able to maintain long life as long as the energy meridians are open and enough Qi runs through them. In Chinese Qi Gong theory, as the body gets older we spend a lot more energy than we are taking in and the energy meridians begin to have blockages. The practice of Qi Gong opens up all these blockages so the Qi can run through the body, maintaining health.

Diane: Qi being lifeforce?

Frank: If you divide the body in three parts: the mind, the physical body, and the Qi — Qi is the one that connects the other two.

Diane: Is it a measurable substance?

Frank: Well, no, it is not measureable. But when Qi condenses, things can happen. For instance, in the right conditions the Qi condenses and then substance can appear. When that condition doesn't exist anymore, the Qi would disperse into nothingness.

It is like dry ice. When the temperature is not right, we have only carbon dioxide. You cannot see it or smell it. When we lower the temperature and apply pressure and condense the air, then we will have liquid carbon dioxide. If we continue to lower the temperature and apply pressure we have dry ice. But once the conditions do not exist, one would take the dry ice out, and after a short period of time the dry ice would disappear.

It is the same thing with Qi. When the right conditions exist, then it will condense and become "something." When the condition does not exist anymore, then it will go away.

In Chinese theory, everything is mixed with Qi. It makes up the universe. It is absolute. It will not disappear. It will just transfer from one form to another.

Diane: So you're saying that we must be able to maintain a certain amount of Qi in the body or we would die?

Frank: That's right. What we actually work on in medical Qi Gong is to open up all the meridians to make sure the Qi goes into each cell and nourishes the body. Just as oxygen goes into the bloodstream and into each part of the body, Qi does the same. We have to keep absorbing and releasing the Qi.

When you look at the aura, for instance, you can see the Qi exchanging between the body and the outside world.

Diane: So as someone ages, unless you make certain steps to maintain the Qi in the body, it will dissipate? Is that how aging and degeneration occur?

Frank: As we grow older, the Qi will not be able to regenerate as fast as when we were younger.

When we are younger, we have a lot of Qi. And then — because we have emotions and because of the environment — the Qi gets depleted, day in and day out. Once the Qi has been depleted, then we don't have enough to nourish the body and aging begins to happen.

Diane: So how can we rejuvenate our Qi?

Frank: First, you can prevent the loss of Qi by maintaining it in your body, by not expending Qi without generating more than you use. That's why you practice Qi Gong.

Another reason to practice Qi Gong is to let the body know itself — to teach the body to notice what is happening to it — and to help the body get rid of any illness.

I'll give you an example. When we practice Qi Gong we try not to have distracting thoughts. In our daily lives we live in chaos, and many times something might happen in our bodies that we don't notice. When our mind calms down, we can begin to notice when something is wrong. Then the body might be able to solve the problem.

Diane: Give me an example. What could possibly happen that the body might not notice?

Frank: In the heat of an argument, you might do a very stupid thing, and after you would regret the action. In practicing Qi Gong, you can say, "No matter what, we must calm the mind." So when stressful situations arise, you can have a clear mind and make better decisions.

Another example is when you eat. If you are distracted, you don't know how much you consume. You might overeat and have to lie down on the couch for six or seven hours.

When you practise Qi Gong, then your mind becomes clear. You can find out, Hey! Something isn't quite right.

It's the same thing with a lake — when the wind is calm, the lake will reflect everything. When we have a little breeze, a small ripple comes, and then the water is not clear. When a hurricane comes you can't see anything at all.

Qi Gong is a meditative movement, and so you relax. The hurricane backs off and becomes a wind, then a breeze — and then, calm. So you can see what is reflected in the body. And then the body can see what is wrong and heal itself.

Our body has the ability to do that.

Diane: If you've reached a depleted state, can you re-energize or raise your Qi level?

Frank: Yes. Just as when people get sick and eventually they recover. It is the same thing with Qi. Our human body will naturally regain the Qi to go on with life. But the practice of Qi Gong strengthens that natural process.

If people who practice Qi Gong become ill, they recover much faster than the ones who haven't done anything. Qi Gong helps people to get stronger a lot faster, and strengthens natural processes. There is nothing mysterious about it — it just helps to strengthen the process of healing.

Diane: Would you say those people practicing Qi Gong live longer lives?

Frank: From my own experience, people practicing Qi Gong are happier, look years younger than their age, and generally live longer. But it is difficult to say that this is because of the practice of Qi Gong — they might naturally have lived longer anyway.

Diane: Has the practice of Qi Gong been a way of life for the people of China?

Frank: Well, not for everyone, actually. It used to be practiced in the temples.

We have five schools of Qi Gong. We have Bao, Buddhist, Confucious, Martial Arts, and then we have medical Qi Gong.

Diane: I had no idea there were so many.

Frank: We have "moving" Qi Gong. Then we have "stillness" Qi Gong.

Diane: As in sitting meditation?

Frank: As in sitting or standing.

Diane: And each one has a different purpose?

Frank: Each one vibrates the body in a certain way. And so after you practice a certain Qi Gong for a period of time, your body will vibrate according to the design of the specific Qi Gong. That's why you don't practice two kinds of Qi Gong at the same time.

Diane: Because you're mixing the messages?

Frank: Some forms are like classical music, some are like Western music, and some are like heavy metal. If you mix it up, it won't vibrate together. It's like that.

Diane: I understand. What made you choose medical Qi Gong to work with?

Frank: From my point of view, health is most important. If you do not have health, you don't have anything. It doesn't matter how rich you are. If you don't have your health, you have nothing. It is better to have health. That's why I believe practicing medical Qi Gong is the best.

We have students recovering from different kinds of cancer, diabetes, and all different kinds of illnesses, all with good results.

Qi Gong is not a science — you can't duplicate its results. Two people can do the same exercise, and one can get tremendous results and the other person can get nothing at all. It depends on how the mind concentrates or how he or she is doing the practice.

Diane: In your personal practice, have you noticed that along with the physical health your spiritual awarenesses has become enhanced as well?

Frank: All I can say is that I have not seen a doctor for the last thirty years — "knock on wood." But I still wear glasses. And also, another thing: I still lose my temper once in a while. But I try not to. I try to be aware of myself all the time.

I'm happier. For me practicing Qi Gong is part of my daily routine. I look at is as something to maintain my health and to be aware of my situation. And when something happens to me, I don't get too distracted or too stressed or lose my concentration. I find now that doing the daily practice really helps me to maintain my goals.

I do not treat Qi Gong as some miracle. I treat it as a type of relaxation, a body-and-mind exercise.

Diane: Would this be good to introduce to children and get them practicing Qi Gong early on?

Frank: Well, not until their teens. Some kids are able to do it very early, but a lot of times — because you have to concentrate and let go of everything — it is very hard.

That's why martial art Qi Gong — something like T'ai Chi — is much better for little kids to do. It's more active.

Diane: Are there moves that can be done by someone who is older or infirm?

Frank: Our oldest student is 96 years old. One thing about Qi Gong is that the mind is more important than the movement alone.

The difference between Qi Gong and exercise is the focus point. With exercise, you focus outside. For example, when you're playing basketball, you focus on the basketball. But practicing Qi Gong, you focus on yourself, and then you know which finger is moving, which toe is moving, which part of your vertebra is moving. You know exactly where your force is coming from. You totally ignore outside and focus inside.

So, simply said, exercise is from the outside going inside. Qi Gong is inside going out.

Diane: So by practicing Qi Gong, you're actually learning more about yourself and more about your body, so that over time then you are able to notice the nuances of your physical being. Is that right?

Frank: That's right. When you notice your fingers enough, then you begin to be aware of your joints. Then you begin to move that joint more. When you bend down, you know which vertebra is not working, and so you work on that vertebre more and eventually you eliminate lower back pain.

So you begin to notice your body, one part at a time.

It helps when you walk. You know where your feet will be placed, you know where your foot is touching the ground — you're aware of it. So it becomes part of your daily routine and helps to prevent injury. It is all about knowing your body.

Diane: Can you say how long it takes for a person to see benefit?

Frank: How long is not known. No one can tell you. But traditionally, the Chinese say that if you do one thing every day for 100 days, defnitely you will see results.

We say, like the Nike commercial, "Just Do It."

There is one important thing about Qi Gong, and that is to listen to your body. When your body feels right, then you know you're doing it right.

That's why relaxation is so important. If you keep doing it ten or fifteen minutes a day, then in about 100 days you will see results. Big or small.

Sometimes it's physical. Sometimes it's mental. I can be very subtle: Maybe something happens to you and you notice that you don't get upset the way you might have done before. That's what the effect of Qi Gong may have for you.

Diane: That sounds wonderful!

Frank: I recommend people do moving Qi Gong, which involves concentration. You do the movement, and then you have the affirmation for the movement.

Diane: Give me an example of what you mean.

Frank: Say you go to the gym or aerobics. Your affirmation might be to strengthen your heart.

Diane: I was thinking more to tighten my thighs.

Frank: (laughs) Okay. If I keep on doing the exercise, eventually I will get the results. In Qi Gong you add one more thing — the awareness of the body.

So with step aerobics, you become aware of how the feet touch the step, how your foot steps down, how you balance the body, how your body is getting tense.

If you just step down and step in, your heart is pumping. But if you begin to ask, why is there tightness in my legs? Or, Why is my back tight? You begin to be more aware. Then you get extra benefit.

I use step aerobics as an example because the movement is generally stepping up and stepping down. If you are watching TV while you're doing this you don't know what part of the body is tense. If you keep watching the TV and don't notice that your shoulder or back might be tight or because of the swing of your hands your elbow is hurting, then you can end up being sore or injured.

Qi Gong is about being aware of your body.

Diane: Are there certain movements for certain areas of the body?

Frank: Yes and no. For example we have practices for carpel tunnel syndrome — but we move the neck! The theory is that stress or injury happens because the Qi cannot go through. So it depends on what part of the body is the focus. We then design certain movements.

We look at the individual person, then give certain exercises to get the Qi moving and movements to build up the Qi in the body.

You have to build up the bank account before you spend the money, so to speak.

There is no one kind of Qi Gong that fits for everyone, and there are many styles out there. For some, sitting Qi Gong works, but for others, when the mind is so busy, then it is moving Qi Gong that is best.

Diane: But are the movements universal or standard?

Frank: Normally, each Qi Gong has a routine. Some Qi Gong focuses on breathing, some on movement. Some focus on one point only. All Qi Gong is designed for us to focus or concentrate.

Pracising Qi Gong is like playing with fire, because it is working with the energy in the body. So it's better to work with Qi Gong that is proven — in other words, not secret.

Diane: By "secret" are you referring to mystical practices?

Frank: Yes. Normally, I say that they are not good because they don't have many people practicing them. You don't want to be the one that finds out the bugs in the technique. If you do the style that is practiced by millions of people, you know that one is safe.

As a metaphor, a friend can develop a new operating system for me and it might be good — but it might not. I prefer to use Windows because it is utilized everywhere.

Diane: So what I'm hearing you say is that Qi is similar to nuclear energy residing in the body.

Frank: It is very powerful. When they practice it, people can develop a kind of x-ray vision; they are able to heal others by emitting. But before that can happen, they must build something in the body, doing the practice again and again and again.

And so I aways recommend that people go with the proven Qi Gong. That is really important.

Diane: Then do you find it important to have a good teacher?

Frank: Nothing can substitute for a good teacher, one that walks the walk. Many can talk the talk, and I find that sometimes it's very dangerous when someone who has only pracised for a couple of months begins to teach. For those who are really interested in learning, it's advisable to spend some money to take classes. It's like learning how to operate a computer: If someone shows you the shortcuts, you don't have to read the whole manual. It is the same with Qi Gong. A teacher has been there, and can show you. It can save a lot of time.

Diane: That sounds more practical also because most people are so busy.

Frank: That's the way I look at it. If you want to achieve things faster, you have to spend some money. I call it the exchange of energy. If you want to learn, the teacher can show you. I consider the teacher to be the most important part of learning anything.

Diane: Thank you, Frank.

Frank Chan is the co-founder of Chi-Lel Qi Gong in the United States, and is in charge of training program. Luke Chan, Frank's brother, is the first Chi-Lel Master to be certified outside China by the Zhineng Qigong Center, and has practiced Qigong and Tai Chi for 31 years. His books include 101 Lessons of Tao, Secrets of the Tai Chi Circle: Journey to Enlightenment, and 101 Miracles of Natural Healing. To find out more about Chi-lel Qi Gong, visit Frank and Luke Chan's website at Chilel-QiGong.com.