06/01/2026
It’s been a little while since I’ve shared about my trip to China, so here’s another day from the journey…
Mon Oct 20 — Shanghai Qigong Research Institute
Our day began with our regular morning Qigong practice, followed by breakfast, and then we headed off by bus to the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute.
Founded in 1985, the Institute is the largest professional Qigong research institution in China and plays a key role in the modern development, research, and clinical application of Qigong. It has close links with the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, helping bridge academic research, clinical practice, and traditional cultivation methods.
As we entered the Institute, we were greeted by a giant painting of the Nei Jing Tu (Chart of the Inner Landscape) in the stairwell. I love this image — it so beautifully maps the inner terrain of the body, mind, and spirit through Daoist symbolism. Earlier in the trip, I had bought a scroll of the Nei Jing Tu from the monastery in Wuhan. This scroll now hangs on my clinic door so you can enjoy it while you relax in your treatments.
One of our original reasons for coming to China was to attend their annual Qigong conference, but unfortunately the dates were changed after our flights were booked, so we missed it. To generously make up for this, Professor Xu Feng shared the lecture he had presented at the conference — on the integration of Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Energy Field Medicine. It was an inspiring vision of truly holistic healthcare for the future.
We were then shown through the Qigong Museum, tracing the history and evolution of Qigong — from ancient cultivation practices to its modern research-based applications. Seeing this lineage laid out so clearly made the practice feel even more grounded and real.
Members of the Institute offered Qigong demonstrations, and our group shared demonstrations in return. It felt like a wonderful exchange.
After lunch nearby, we visited the Chinese medicine clinic associated with the Institute, where we were shown through the treatment rooms and the herbal dispensary. Walking through the clinic brought back strong memories of my days studying Chinese medicine at UTS — the familiar layout, and the smell of herbs.
Each of us then had our pulses taken and received a brief diagnosis from one of the practitioners. Pulse diagnosis is something I use regularly in my own clinic, so it was fascinating to listen as each person’s pulses were interpreted and to notice the variety of diagnoses that emerged within our group. A beautiful reminder of the depth and nuance of this diagnostic art.
After such a full and enriching day, it was back to the hotel for dinner and an early night.
