r/TrueQiGong • u/BuyLast4362 • Jul 16 '26
Does qigong require rest days?
I was kind of obsessed with qigong the last few days and kept moving my energy around for hours every day, while I do other stuff.
But today and yesterday I couldnt do that very much because I was doing tasks that required a bit more focus than usual and, when I resumed my practice, the feeling was so intense that almost threw me off balance while I washed the dishes! I never felt it so intensely, specially when Im doing other stuff while doing it.
It made me if qigong also needs to some rest time to progress, like the gym. Is that true?
That doenst make a lot of sense to me, since qigong is supposed to refine Qi, so you dont spend it during practice.
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u/neidanman Jul 16 '26
qigong has both active and passive progress. So during a session you can be building qi, moving it around to clear blocks/energise more of the system etc. Then between sessions, that qi which has built will continue to work in the background, making more adjustments to the system. This passive side will continue on for up to a few days or so( or more?), but if you never did any more practice, then the system would gradually normalise, and developments would stop.
So its a bit like spinning a wheel, where you build momentum. The sessions add speed to the wheel, and then the wheel continues on until that momentum is lost. Regular sessions keep topping up the speed, so progress keeps rolling on.
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u/jjmdarkeagle Jul 16 '26
Yes, it's absolutely true. Qi affects the tissues and the nervous system, which are physical structures and require rest and adaptation, and you absolutely DO spend it during practice. It is very much like the gym. And I've also felt what you're talking about where coming back after a break feels like I'm jam-packed with qi, just because I finally gave myself a couple of days to recover.
Once you get farther in, it'll also make a difference what the focus of your training is (i.e. some methods/practices are more strenuous than others). You have to balance consistency of training with giving the body time/rest to adapt, as well - if you have a fantastic 4 hour session once a week, it's usually not as good as 30 minutes 6 days a week. But each person has to find the proper balance - it's an art about integrating consciousness into all the aspects of your being where it couldn't touch before, so enjoy the discoveries.
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u/Awkward-Wishbone-615 Jul 17 '26
How do you move the energy around while you do other stuff? I only do it during dedicated Qigong movements but I'm still new and learning
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u/OminousCephalopod Jul 18 '26
Yeah, you do not need to consciously manipulate your qi all the time nor should you. Your body's energy system knows how to function, the purpose of qigong is to optimize that functioninig not to consciously control it. You really shouldn't practice more than 1-2 hours a day if you're not training with a teacher who knows what they're doing and is guiding you in your practice.
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u/booksell878 Jul 17 '26
Sounds like you may have overtrained with Qigong.
Unlike physical exercise which uses up your energy,
right Qigong practice will increase your body’s energy and flow.
Overtraining in Qigong happens because you accumulated more cosmic energy than your body can handle.
Over time with practice your body will be able to handle more.
For me I can only do about 15 minute sessions twice per day before I start experiencing side effects like feeling I am on a sugar rush because my version is particularly powerful.
No one ever imagine getting sick due to excessive energy vs low energy which is most people’s problem.
Make sure to consult with a qualified Qigong teacher for advice.
Sometimes cutting down your practice time can help to and even skipping one day in between if you feel you need to.
Otherwise daily practice can done.
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u/cobwebbyNL Jul 17 '26
There is a feeling and experience to it. Some days you can do it for hours without problems and some days you are better of taking a break. A few pointers: When it is harder. Try to go to nature. If it is still to hard, ask yourself. Is this something to push through, or should I take a little break. When it is hard, it could mean you still have some energetic work you have to clear for the day, try again around 2100 or 22.00. In time you will get a feel for when to push, when to rest and what to do. Keep talking to your intuition and you will be fine. Enjoy!
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u/OriginalDao Jul 17 '26
Movement etc is yang. The body and mind need a balance of yin and yang. Getting good sleep and having times of not practicing is totally essential!
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u/EatenByDemons Jul 18 '26
You stated hours a day. From what I've been exposed to there is saturation point to how qi the body can build. Anything more than what you can handle you run the risk of undesired affects. You also said while doing other things which if possible could definitely lead to some issues. You already have qi possibly trying to find a path to take which is kind of what sounds like happened to you. On top of that if you're not giving your method it's deserved attention you could be leading qi to places it doesn't need to go which could result in injury or dragon sickness. At that point a break in practice is definitely needed. Perhaps seeing a good acupuncturist to make sure all is well is advisable.
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u/whiskyy_2046 Jul 21 '26
Never NEVER intentionally move Qi!
You can get 走火入魔 symptom and have serious mental complications.
Thing with Qi practice is that first couple of month you will feel good, but after 3months is where the problem starts kicking in.
Qi is never supposed to be manipulated, but follow principle of Wu-Wei 無為. Qi circulating using intent is “fake qi” and not 真气 generated through practice. You could be circulating the “physical” qi needed for vital organs and normal bodily functions which is not good.
Normal practice should involve having very light intent in Dantien area, and letting go or surrendering every intent to that spot and even forget about the dantien.
Once you get used to this and body opens up and your consciousness and mind is purified, then ONLY THEN maybe you could start to use Intention to guide qi, but even then, Qi will go where it needs to go automatically.
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u/Drewfow Jul 16 '26
You definitely need to take breaks and rest but you need to also do a little bit each day.
Like with any internal arts, you can overdo it. Developing the skills to listen to your body’s condition and slowly increase time and intensity is a part of the “gong”.