Research Papers

Imagine This: A Few Days That Change Everything
Imagine stepping into a retreat for just a few days and returning home with a lighter
body, a calmer mind, and a brighter outlook on life. Pain that once felt overwhelming
has softened, vision has sharpened, and an inner sense of joy feels more present
than it has in years. At first, this might sound like wishful thinking, but growing
research on Zhineng Qigong is showing that such transformations are very real.
Zhineng Qigong is not simply a set of exercises; it is a holistic mind-body practice
developed in 1981 by Master Pang He Ming, a doctor of both Chinese and Western
medicine. Drawing from the rich wisdom of traditional Chinese culture and blending it
with modern scientific insights, he created a system designed to unlock the body’s
natural ability to heal and flourish. The practice combines meditation, mindful
movement, breathing, sound, and focused intention, all aimed at opening our
connection with Qi — the universal life energy that flows through and around us.
One of the most passionate voices sharing this method today is Citlalli Álvarez, a
fully certified Zhineng Qigong teacher. Her dedication to exploring the potential of
this practice has led her to guide and document a series of intensive retreats in
Mexico. Through her work, participants have experienced measurable changes in
stress, pain, happiness, and even vision — outcomes that speak to the extraordinary
possibilities hidden within this practice.

From Stress and Pain to Lightness and Ease
In one retreat, seventeen participants committed themselves to four days of deep
immersion, practicing for up to seven hours each day. Their schedule was filled with
powerful methods such as the gentle yet invigorating practice of “Lift Qi Up, Pour Qi
Down,” strengthening wall squats, and the profound stillness of the “Three Centers
Merge” meditation. To keep the atmosphere light and playful, participants also
engaged in unusual experiments, like bending spoons and magnetizing pins —
experiences that highlighted how flexible and responsive the mind-body system can
become when guided by focused energy.
As the days unfolded, something remarkable began to shift. Participants reported
that their stress levels dropped dramatically, as if layers of tension were being peeled
away. Pain that once interfered with daily life — keeping people awake at night or
limiting their work — softened and became less disruptive. Even fleeting discomforts,
like headaches, eased noticeably. By the final day, many described a profound sense
of ease in both body and mind, as if they were carrying themselves differently
through the world.
Read Citalli’s full research paper about stress and pain here: Stress and
Pain

Rediscovering Joy and Connection
Another retreat, this time spanning three days and welcoming forty-two participants,
revealed an equally profound transformation. The group explored a wide variety of
methods, including healing sounds, collective Qi field healing, and joyful group
practices that encouraged both openness and connection.
Before arriving, only about one-third of the participants described themselves as
truly happy. Life’s demands, stresses, and disappointments had dulled their sense of
inner joy. Yet by the end of the retreat, that number had more than doubled. Nearly
three-quarters of participants reported feeling deeply happy, a shift that was not just
about momentary cheer but about reconnecting with an enduring sense of peace
and vitality.
For many, the experience felt like a reminder of what it means to be fully alive. The
retreat didn’t only bring moments of relaxation; it rekindled a sense of belonging,
lightness, and possibility that participants could carry back into their daily lives.

Read Citalli’s full research paper about Happiness here: Happiness
Research Paper

Why It Matters
Taken together, these retreats point to a simple yet profound truth: in just a few days
of focused Zhineng Qigong practice, real transformation can happen. Stress gives
way to calm. Pain loosens its grip. Happiness expands. Vision becomes clearer, both
outwardly and inwardly.
For anyone who has ever felt weighed down by tension, disconnected from joy, or
clouded in their sense of clarity, these findings offer a hopeful reminder: healing and
renewal are within reach. Through the patient guidance of teachers like Citlalli
Álvarez, this living tradition of Zhineng Qigong continues to show us that we each
hold the capacity for growth, balance, and profound change.
Whether your journey begins with a few mindful minutes each day or a full retreat
experience, the invitation remains the same: to reconnect with your own vitality, to
rediscover joy, and to see life with fresh, open eyes. 🌿