Useful information

The Chinese Health Qigong Association (CHQA) was initiated with the support and endorsement of the Chinese Government to research, develop, popularize and support Qigong Practice around the world. The Association was given the task of engaging in extensive research into the history and best practice of Qigong, as well as high level scientific research into its health benefits. In 2003, after years of research, the CHQA released the Health Qigong routines - Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing,Wu Qin Xi and Lui Zi Jue -, designed to fit the needs of the modern world. Not long after this the China State Sports Administration and Sports for All Federation of China recognised Health Qigong as one of the Traditional Sports Events. In 2008 the 1st Health Qigong Tournament was held and by 2011 there were 25 countries competing in international events that promote cultural exchange and encourage the practice of Qigong for health, fitness and personal growth.

It was at this time that the International Health Qigong Federation (IHQF) was formed, as a bridge between the CHQA and the rest of the world. The IHQF is a non-profit international organization composed of national and regional organizations from around the globe with a charter “to unite National Health Qigong Associations, promote and develop the exchange and cooperation between members, and to promote and improve the physical and mental health of the people of the world." The headquarters of the IHQF are in Beijing, China where its main responsibilities are to organize international competitions and activities related to Health Qigong, to develop the international technical standards of Health Qigong, to formulate the training plan and management of Health Qigong athletes, coaches and referees.

Who is teaching it and are they suitably trained to teach to an internationally recognised standard?

The CHQA and the IHQF have worked closely to provide all the resources required for global dissemination of Health Qigong to the highest standards, ensuring students are being taught by instructors with a sound knowledge base. The CHQA are currently finalising a range of Instructor Courses in Health Qigong that will range from short-course to a year in duration and will be classified as Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Degrees. The courses will cover physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Philosophy, teaching and study skills, and of course, practical skills.

Some helpful links:

As an adjunct to the Health Qigong Degree programs, it is hoped that instructors and practitioners will actively participate in Duan Examination gradings to benchmark their experience and skills: an easy reference point for potential students to check the credentials of their instructors. The Duan gradings are structured as follows:

  • Duan Wei 1 - A high level of technical skill in one Health Qigong Routine.
  • Duan Wei 2 - A high level of technical skill in two Health Qigong Routines.
  • Duan Wei 3 - A high level of technical skill in three Health Qigong Routines.
  • Duan Wei 4 - A high level of technical skill in 4 Health Qigong Routines; a base level theoretical knowledge of Health Qigong; and a teaching record in Health Qigong.
  • Duan Wei 5 - A high level of technical skill in 4 Health Qigong Routines; an intermediate level theoretical knowledge of Health Qigong; and a teaching record in Health Qigong.
  • Duan Wei 6 - A high level of technical skill in 4 Health Qigong Routines; an intermediate level theoretical knowledge of Health Qigong; a teaching record in Health Qigong; and evidence of having made contributions to the dissemination of Qigong through theses, books, judging, management of Associations etc.
  • Duan Wei 7 to 9 - A extremely high level of technical skill in Health Qigong Routines; an academic level of theoretical knowledge; an advanced teaching record in Health Qigong; and evidence of having made contributions to the research, development and dissemination of Qigong in China and internationally.

International Duan Evaluation System For Health Qigong

REGULATIONS

EVALUATION ON INTERNATIONAL HEALTH QIGONG DUAN (DRAFT)

Chapter I

General

Article 1

The REGULATIONS are drawn up to benefit the health Qigong enthusiasts from countries and regions in the world, scientifically evaluate the technical and theoretical level of health Qigong practitioners, standardize health Qigong technical and theoretical system, strengthen health Qigong standardization construction as well as promote health Qigong international exchanges.

Article 2

People abroad practicing the health Qigong may apply for an International Health Qigong Duan.

Article 3

People applying for a health Qigong Duan would be keen on and love to practice the health Qigong in a civilized manner, build up physical conditions scientifically and attend to cultivating merits and virtues and good moral character.

Article 4

The International Health Qigong Duans are classified into categories as Pre-Duans, Duan grades and Honorary Duans:

  • Pre-Duans: level 1, level 2 and level 3.
  • Junior Duans: Duan 1, Duan 2 and Duan 3.
  • Intermediate Duans: Duan 4, Duan 5 and Duan 6.
  • Senior Duans: Duan 7, Duan 8 and Duan 9.
  • Honorary Intermediate Duans: Duan 4, Duan 5 and Duan 6.
  • Honorary Senior Duans: Duan 7, Duan 8 and Duan 9.

Article 5

Granting procedures apply the International Health Qigong Duan applications. The qualified member organizations apply to IHQF, get approved and sign the entrust agreements with IHQF, and then carry out the Duan exams and valuation. The entrusted organization transferring the rights to a third party must be agreed by IHQF prior to doing so. Following rights limits shall be respected.

The IHQF member organizations may approve and grant the Pre-Duan levels and the Junior Duan grades.

The IHQF approves and grants the Intermediate Duan, Senior Duan and Honorary Duan.

The Duan applicant may apply from the IHQF Technical Committee If the evaluation is not available in the country or region.

Article 6

The applicant applying for an International Health Qigong Duan under 7 (including Duan 7) is requested to take part in the examination run by the organization with corresponding examination and approval rights limits. Pre-Duan level and the Junior Duan examinations are carried out by the IHQF member organizations. Intermediate Duan examinations are jointly done by the IHQF and its member organizations. Senior Duan examinations are conducted by the IHQF only.

The IHQF may authorize its rights to the units qualified to run Pre-Duan level and Junior Duan grades examinations.

Chapter II

Application

Article 7

The health Qigong Duan examinations are only on theory and exercising ways techniques while the health Qigong exercising ways promoted by the IHQF apply the technical exams.

(1) The hundred-mark system is recommended in closed-book theory exams.

(2) The exercising ways technical exams are classified into five categories: A, B, C, D and E by means of on-site scoring. The evaluation is done on Regulations for Health Qigong Competitions> approved and published by the IHQF in 2014.

Standards categories:

  • Grade A: 9 points higher.
  • Grade B: 8 points higher.
  • Grade C: 7 points higher.
  • Grade D: 6 points higher.
  • Grade E: 6 points lower.

Article 8

The total scores are formed by the points deducted by judges Group A (movements standards), the points given by judges group B (performance level) and the points deducted by the head judge. The attires of the Duan applicants are requested to tailor IHQF’s requirements, use the specified practice equipments and strictly respect the examination venue rules.

The whole process of Duan examinations shall be video-recorded of which the Duan application in writing, electronic data and exam video-recording shall be kept original for 3 years more. The IHQF Technical Committee is entitled to have a spot –check on the exams.

Article 9

The evaluation group for the exercising ways technical exams consists of 5 members who are instructed by the IHQF Technical Committee and conferred a diploma before carrying out their duties.

The Junior Duan evaluators are the referees granted health Qigong Duan 4 higher or the international Duan C.

The Intermediate Duan evaluators are the referees granted health Qigong Duan 7 higher or the international Duan B.

The Senior Duan evaluators are the referees granted health Qigong Duan 8 higher or the international Duan A.

Article 10

Requirements for the applicants for the health Qigong Duans:

(1) Pre-Duan level 1

A graduation diploma granted at the first set of health Qigong exercising ways instruction by the member organization.

(2) Pre-Duan level 2

A graduation diploma granted at the second set of health Qigong exercising ways instruction by the member organization.

(3) Pre-Duan level 3

A graduation diploma granted at the third set of health Qigong exercising ways instruction by the member organization.

(4) Duan 1

Pre-Duan level 3 diploma granted already 2 full years’ time. Results ranked Grade C at the first set of exercising ways technical exam, or 3rd prize awarded at the first set of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament, or 2nd prize awarded at the first set of exercising ways at the Continental Health Qigong Tournament.

(5) Duan 2

1. Duan 1 diploma granted already a full year’s time.

2. Results ranked Grade B at the first set of exercising ways technical exam, or 2rdprize awarded at the first set of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament, or 1st prize awarded at the first set of exercising ways at the Continental Health Qigong Tournament.

Results ranked Grade C at the second set of exercising ways technical exam, or 3rd prize awarded at the second set of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament, or 2nd prize awarded at the second set of exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament.

(6) Duan 3

1. Duan 2 diploma granted already a full year’s time.

2. Results ranked Grade B at the two sets of exercising ways technical exam, or 2nd prize awarded at the two sets of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament, or 1

Results ranked Grade C at the third set of exercising ways technical exam, or 3rdprize awarded at the third set of exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament or 2nd;prize awarded at the third set of exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament.

(7) Duan 4

1. Duan 3 diploma granted already full two years’ time.

2. 60 points marks granted in the health Qigong Intermediate Duan theory exam.

3. Results ranked Grade A at the first set of exercising ways technical exam, or 1st prize awarded at the first set of exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament.

Results ranked Grade B at the two sets of exercising ways technical exam, or 2nd prize awarded at the two sets of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament or 1st prize awarded at the two sets of exercising ways at the Continental Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament.

(8) Duan 5:

1. Duan 4 diploma granted already full two years’ time.

2. 70 points marks granted at the health Qigong Intermediate Duan theory exam.

3. Results ranked Grade A at the two sets of exercising ways technical exam, or 1st prize awarded at the two sets of exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament.

Results ranked Grade B at the third set of exercising ways technical exam,or 2nd prize awarded of the two sets of individual exercising ways at the International Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament or the National Health Qigong Exchange and Tournament, or 1

(9) Duan 6

Please read all rules on this page ihqfo.org

The Review Outline for Health Qigong Duan(4-6) Test

The theoretical Examination schedule