Chinese Women Lead Airport Qigong Class During 5-Hour Delay

A five-hour flight delay became an unexpected cultural exchange when a group of Chinese women transformed a Cairo Airport gate into an open-air wellness studio. Their solution to travel stress? Teaching fellow passengers Baduanjin qigong, an 800-year-old Chinese practice combining breathing, meditation, and gentle stretches.

The January 9 scene started small. Three middle-aged Chinese women, traveling together on a tour group headed to Aswan, Egypt, began the slow, deliberate movements they knew from back home. They rubbed their hands together for warmth, massaged their faces and waists, then opened their arms in a hugging motion while breathing deeply.

Other travelers stopped scrolling their phones and started watching. Then something remarkable happened: they joined in.

"At first, only three people joined in, but gradually more onlookers began dancing, including several foreigners," explained Chen, one of the leaders, to Chinese media outlet Jimu News. The group practiced quietly without music to avoid disturbing other passengers.

One of the leaders spoke enough English to guide international participants through movements like crossing hands overhead while keeping toes grounded, and stretching arms in an archery position while half-squatting. Each of the eight movements took just 15 to 30 minutes total to complete.

"The foreigners picked it up quickly and seemed to really enjoy it," Chen said. "They all applauded when they finished."

Sunny's Take

This spontaneous moment of connection shows how simple acts of sharing can turn frustration into joy. Instead of complaining about the delay or staring at screens, these travelers chose to move their bodies and invite others to join them. The practice they shared, Baduanjin qigong, enhances the body's energy and improves blood flow while relieving stress—exactly what stranded travelers needed.

The warmth crossed language barriers. Foreign passengers didn't just watch; they participated, learning movements designed to ease neck stiffness and promote overall health. What started as a way for three friends to pass time became a lesson in cultural exchange that felt more like play than exercise.

The video went viral on Chinese social media, racking up one million likes and introducing Baduanjin to viewers worldwide. "Wellness knows no borders," one commenter wrote. "These aunties are spreading Chinese wisdom."

Others celebrated the practical benefits. "Baduanjin is easy to learn and really effective, especially for relieving neck and shoulder pain from sitting at the office too long," another viewer noted.

The practice has already caught on beyond airports. Young office workers use it for neck relief, schools have added it to morning routines, and China Southern Airlines now plays seated Baduanjin videos with English subtitles on international flights during landing to help passengers combat discomfort from long periods of sitting.

A five-hour delay gave these travelers something better than an on-time departure: a shared moment of calm, movement, and human connection that resonated around the world.