Qigong for increasing learning ability

Author: Tong Sufang 1//Xe Peiqi 2
Affiliation: Beijing Hospital of Civil Aviation, Beijing, China [1] //Beijing Hie Da Qigong University of China, Beijing, China [2]
Conference/Journal: 1st Int Cong of Qigong
Date published: 1990
Other: Pages: 124 , Word Count: 332


Chinese Qigong meditation and physical exercise are well known to improve health and well-being, but Qigong is also believed to improve concentration of the mind and enhance mental acuity and memory. To test the effects of Qigong on learning, a research study was carried out over a period of one year between 1986 and 1987 at an elementary school in Beijing. A total of 170 fourth grade students with about equal number of boys and girls were divided into four groups. For the first 6 months, none of the groups practiced Qigong. During the second 6 months two groups practiced Qigong meditation, and the other two groups did not. The qigong consisted of sitting meditation for 2 minutes before each class during the day. The students were instructed how to breath (with their abdomen in gradual, deep, long, thin, even and stable breaths) and to keep an empty and calm mind. During class periods, these students continued to practice this form of Qigong with their eyes open.

The students were given examinations in three subjects (Chinese language, mathematics, and geography) before and after the second 6 month period. Over this period of time, the average test scores of members of the Qigong groups increased from 83.1+2.1 to 93.01.9, corresponding to an 11.9% increase (P-value <0.01). During the same period, the average test scores of members of the non-Qigong groups did not change significantly, 81.61.9 and 82.02.3, respectively. One 9-year old boy in the Qigong group had a long history of being very disruptive in class, was not able to concentration and had poor average test scores (55%). After 6 months of Qigong, his average test scores increased dramatically (93%), he became better behaved, and his memory improved significantly.

The results of the study are consistent with the concept that Qigong mediation promotes a relaxed and calm state for the body and mind. The brain is more rested and its energy consumption is decreased. Under these conditions, the mind is better focused, mental functions are enhanced, and the individual responds more rapidly to stimuli and remembers more vividly.