QiGong and Stretching is the name of an exercise class at the YMCA in Barstable, MA. that was developed by David Stitt. It presented participants with a wide variety of qigong (energy cultivation) exercises, from both ancient and modern traditions and across a wide variety of schools. The course also introduced various stretching exercises.
This website presents downloadable lists of the exercise sets that were used for the class, along with some references.
The gong in qigong means work or practice or cultivation. The exercise movements are generally easy and may be adjusted; they require practice to get the most benefit. Benefits of qigong accrue best when the mind is centered on the practice and the practitioner coordinates breath and visualization with the movements.
The realm of qigong is vast. The materials listed here are a small part of the whole. There are many effective practices, both ancient and modern. For every defined set of movements, there are many variations. There are many different body types, ages, experiences, mental states, physical capabilities and conditions of health, wellness and illness. Practitioners can and should adapt the movements to their particular needs.
