Qigong is a practice of cultivating our body’s energy through breath, movement, attention, and sound, and then using this energy to heal and strengthen all the systems within our body1. This energy can be thought of as the energy within our nervous system.


Qigong has been shown to have these potential benefits:

  • Calms the autonomic nervous system and activates a safe and connected state2
  • Lowers anxious and depressive symptoms3,4
  • Reduces trauma symptoms5
  • Reduces chronic pain and fibromyalgia symptoms6,7,8
  • Reduces fatigue9
  • Reduces tinnitus symptoms10


Due to the great benefits of Qigong, our clinic’s Director, Tanner Murtagh, is now offering drop-in Qigong classes as an addition to our clinic’s brain and nervous system approach to healing chronic pain and illness.

Each Qigong class will include 35-40 minutes of somatic movement and 20-25 minutes of seated somatic work with sensations and/or breathwork.


Class Information:

  • Instructor: Tanner Murtagh
  • Fee: $20 Canadian + tax per class
  • Classes are available worldwide and are held virtually through the Zoom platform
  • Classes are held every Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 am MST/Calgary time
  • When signing up for your first class, you will need to complete a consent form, which will be automatically emailed to you upon sign-up. The consent form must be completed the day prior to class in order to participate.
  • Zoom links will be sent out 30 minutes before each class begins
  • This class does not include a Q and A session
  • No-shows or cancellations within 24 hours of the class start time will be charged the full class fee. Cancellations can be made via the Jane app or by emailing info@painpsychotherapy.ca


Sign up for our Qigong classes here:

  1. Argento, M. (2023). Medical Qigong level 1 Certification Workshop.

  2. Lee, Y. H., Chang, Y. P., Lee, J. T., Lee, D. C., Huang, E. Y., & Lai, L. T. (2022). Heart rate variability as an indicator of the beneficial effects of Qigong and mindfulness training on the mind-body well-being of cancer survivors. Supportive care in cancer: official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07476-7

  3. Wang, C. W., Chan, C. H., Ho, R. T., Chan, J. S., Ng, S. M., & Chan, C. L. (2014). Managing stress and anxiety through qigong exercise in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-8

  4. Tsang, H. W., Tsang, W. W., Jones, A. Y., Fung, K. M., Chan, A. H., Chan, E. P., & Au, D. W. (2013). Psycho-physical and neurophysiological effects of qigong on depressed elders with chronic illness. Aging & mental health, 17(3), 336–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2012.732035

  5. Niles, B. L., Reid, K. F., Whitworth, J. W., Alligood, E., Williston, S. K., Grossman, D. H., McQuade, M. M., & Mori, D. L. (2022). Tai Chi and Qigong for trauma exposed populations: A systematic review. Mental health and physical activity, 22, 10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100449

  6. Rendant, D., Pach, D., Lüdtke, R., Reisshauer, A., Mietzner, A., Willich, S. N., & Witt, C. M. (2011). Qigong versus exercise versus no therapy for patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine, 36(6), 419–427. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181d51fca

  7. Phattharasupharerk, S., Purepong, N., Eksakulkla, S., & Siriphorn, A. (2019). Effects of Qigong practice in office workers with chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized control trial. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 23(2), 375–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.02.004

  8. Lynch, M., Sawynok, J., Hiew, C., & Marcon, D. (2012). A randomized controlled trial of qigong for fibromyalgia. Arthritis research & therapy, 14(4), R178. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar3931

  9. Ho, R. T., Chan, J. S., Wang, C. W., Lau, B. W., So, K. F., Yuen, L. P., Sham, J. S., & Chan, C. L. (2012). A randomized controlled trial of qigong exercise on fatigue symptoms, functioning, and telomerase activity in persons with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 44(2), 160–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9381-6

  10. Biesinger, E., Kipman, U., Schätz, S., & Langguth, B. (2010). Qigong for the treatment of tinnitus: a prospective randomized controlled study. Journal of psychosomatic research, 69(3), 299–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.04.013