The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Mind, Body, Me badge requirements.

Info Needed: Mindfulness helps scouts notice what’s going on in their body and mind in the present moment. It can improve well-being and help them respond to stress or discomfort more thoughtfully.

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Items Needed:

• Comfortable clothing and shoes or socks with grip.
• Open indoor or outdoor space.
• Device with internet access to watch a video session.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–25 min):

1. Introduce Qigong and its connection to mindfulness (Estimated Time: 3–5 min)
   • Leaders can explain: Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a gentle Chinese wellness practice combining breath, movement, and awareness to support physical and emotional balance. It’s rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on cultivating “qi,” or life energy. Scouts don’t need any special skills. Qigong meets them where they are, promoting relaxation, resilience, and mind-body connection.
2. Settle into a mindful standing posture (Estimated Time: 3–5 min)
   • Scouts stand comfortably with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed.
   • Invite them to notice their breath, body sensations, and posture.
   • Ask: “What do you feel in your body right now?” and “Can you feel any tension or ease?”.
3. Try it out together with a guided Qigong video (Estimated Time: 10–12 min)
   • Choose a beginner-friendly Qigong video and follow along as a group.
   • Remind scouts to move gently, keep their breath smooth, and modify as needed.
   • Encourage them to focus on the flow between movement and breath, noticing how it feels.
4. Reflect and discuss (Estimated Time: 5–8 min)
   • Scouts share how they felt during the practice: physically, mentally, or emotionally.
   • Prompts:
     • “Did anything feel surprisingly calming or energizing?”
     • “Was it hard or easy to stay focused?”
     • “Could this kind of movement help you during stressful times?”.
   • (Optional) Invite scouts to sketch or journal one movement or feeling they want to remember.

Qigong Video Options:

• BEGINNER QIGONG | FEEL GREAT IN 10 MIN by QiYoga With LuChin – Gentle, flowing movements and breathing designed to refresh and calm the body.
• 10 Minute Qigong Routine to Start Your Day – Qigong for Beginners by Qigong with Kseny – A short, focused session that encourages grounding and breath awareness to start the day.

Other sources:

• Qigong for Teens – BalanCHIng
  Explains how qigong helps reduce anxiety, stress, and depression in teens, with easy-to-follow exercises.
• Qigong in Education – Qigong Institute
  Shares research and school-based applications of qigong for youth, including attention, behavior, and emotional regulation.