Over time, the original dance movements were systematised, creating health exercises that could be practised every day. One of China¡¯s legendary founding emperors Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor) is said to have practised Qi Gong on a daily basis and as a result to have lived healthily for well over one hundred years.

Later, during China's agitated Warring Stated period (419BC ¨C 220AD) many Chinese sages and scholars developed various practises and philosophies. Among them were the alchemists, who tried to use Qi Gong, along with diets, herbs and regulated sexual practises etc, as a means to achieve immortality ¨C it was reported that many of them lived to a remarkable age. One of the main insights they left behind was that the ¡°elixir of life ¡° resides within each of us, and that by cultivating it regularly, everybody can achieve health and longevity.

Since that time, various systems of Qi Gong have emerged, including the 8 Pieces of Silk Brocade, which, today, is still one of the most commonly practised sets. They are usually attributed to General Yue Fei (1177 ¨C 1279AD) who is said to have developed them as means to train his army - and it is said also that thanks to these powerful exercises, it was never defeated.

Over the millenia, Qi Gong has been practised by intellectuals, monks, warriors, and ordinary people mainly for three different purposes: martial, medical, or meditative.