3: Chi Time: The Quantum Qi Show withClara Apollo - Episode 33: Chi Time: The Quantum Qi Show withClara Apollo - Episode 3
UK Health Radio Podcast
Clara Apollo and Dr Roger Jahnke talk about qigong as an accessible way to activate self-healing and deepen self-awareness. The discussion moves from personal story to healthcare economics and indigenous views on the end of life, with plenty of practical ideas for everyday practice.
44:51•1 Nov 2026
Chi, Self-Healing and the Cost of Modern Healthcare with Dr Roger Jahnke
Episode Overview
- Qigong can be broken into four simple components: body movement, breath, focused mind and self-applied massage.
- Small, everyday moments – like standing in a queue or sitting in a car – can be used to practise breath and posture awareness.
- Cultivating interoception by asking "What am I feeling, and where am I feeling it?" supports emotional clarity and self-connection.
- Research strongly suggests that practices such as qigong, Tai Chi, yoga and meditation can influence key physiological processes linked to chronic disease.
- A large portion of modern healthcare spending goes toward preventable chronic illness, highlighting the potential value of low-cost self-care practices.
“That would be the foundation of turning on the medicine within.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety and better health? This Chi Time: The Quantum Qi Show episode brings a fresh angle by focusing on qigong and Tai Chi as simple, self-directed ways to activate what Dr Roger Jahnke calls "the medicine within". Hosted by Clara Apollo, the conversation has an easy-going, story-led feel.
Dr Roger shares how the early death of his father sparked lifelong questions about who really "wins" at life and death, leading him through yoga, meditation and eventually Chinese medicine and qigong. His journey spans decades of practice, teaching thousands of qigong and Tai Chi leaders and immersing himself in ancient spiritual traditions. You’ll hear him break qigong down into four accessible pieces: body movement, breath practice, focused mind and self-applied massage.
He keeps things grounded, suggesting tiny entry points anyone can try — a deeper breath while queuing at the bank, a posture check at the petrol station, a moment of asking, "What am I feeling, and where am I feeling it?". For anyone rebuilding their relationship with themselves, this emphasis on interoception and self-awareness feels very relevant. The episode also tackles big-picture issues.
Dr Roger discusses modern healthcare costs, arguing that most money goes towards preventable chronic disease, and contrasts this with low-cost practices like qigong, Tai Chi, yoga and time in nature. He even touches on how indigenous cultures view end-of-life decisions through the lens of community economics and dignity, raising challenging questions about how we face ageing and mortality today.
If you’re curious about body-based practices that support mental health, long-term wellbeing and possibly life after addiction, this conversation offers spacious reflection and very practical starting points. Could a simple breath, a gentle movement and an honest check-in with your feelings be the next small step on your recovery path?
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