The Universality and Specificity of Health Qigong from a Beginner’s Perspective

Purpose: Health Qigong is an exercise that moves slowly to rhythm and is a type of slow exercise based theoretically on Chinese medicine. In this study, we sought to find out how people who are practicing Health Qigong for the first time are experiencing changes in their perception. Accordingly, this study was conducted for the purpose of examining the universality and specificity of Health Qigong compared to other sports from the perspective of beginners practicing Health Qigong. Method: Six beginners in Health Qigong who could provide sufficient answers to the research topic were selected as participants. The study participants participated in a total of 15 training programs and 1 presentation over 4 months and consisted of 3 men and 3 women. The data analysis process used Colaizzi's six-step analysis method in the phenomenological research method among qualitative research methods, and structured the changes in perception according to the participants' experiences by dividing them into universality and specificity. In addition, the participants' facial expressions and gestures were recorded and used as additional observation data and reflected in the research results. Results: As a result of the study, 3 categories, 7 topic bundles, and 15 subjects were finally identified. In the category of universality, physical, emotional, and convenience of space use were identified, and in the category of differentiation, movement characteristics and exercise types were identified, and convenience and fun were identified in the Health Qigong presentation. Conclusion: The results of this study will be meaningful in that they provide an opportunity to continue the cycle of participation by identifying the uniqueness of the Health Qigong program. In future research, specific and practical educational plans should be presented to expand the base of the program as well as research on the effects of Health Qigong training.