SHOW TIME: Nuria Leonelli (front left) and her teammates participate in a health qigong event at the Fifth International Health Qigong Tournament in New Jersey on August 20 (HUANG WEI)

The 5th International Health Qigong Tournament and Exchange was held in New York City and New Jersey, starting on August 18 and ending August 24.

The weeklong event, sponsored by the International Health Qigong Federation (IHQF), provided multiple activities including a forum, tournaments, training and examination.

"With 400 participants from 30 countries, this year's event is the largest one ever hosted by the IHQF," said Chang Jianping, President of the Chinese Health Qigong Association.

According to Chang, qigong is an iconic symbol of traditional Chinese culture that dates back to more than 5,000 years ago. As an ancient marital art that is engaging physically as well as mentally, it combines the alignment of breathing, movement, and awareness in order to improve one's health, fitness and personal growth. It is practiced throughout China and is now gaining popularity worldwide. In 2001, health qigong became the 62nd official sport conducted in China.

"Qigong plays an active role in impoving people's health," said Nuria Leonelli, Chairwoman of Institute Qigong Barcelona in Spain.

Leonelli started to learn health qigong when she was attended the Shanghai University of Sport eight years ago. She continued to practice after she went back to Barcelona.

"Qigong is becoming a popular sport in Barcelona. There are more than 5,000 people practicing health qigong now in this city," she told Beijing Review.

According to the International Health Qigong Federation, the total number of health qigong practitioners worldwide is about 1.7 million. It is expected that health qigong will be introduced to at least 60 countries and regions by 2018.

(Reporting from New York City)