Dr. Christine “CJ” Rhoads has dedicated more than thirty years to the study and practice of Tai Chi and Qigong. She is the CEO and managing director of the Health, Prosperity, and Leadership Institute, an umbrella organization that oversees more than 30 health and leadership programs, all aimed at fostering personal and professional development for individuals across the globe. However, her deep interest in researching the medical efficacy of the healing art did not emerge until she suffered a severe injury. Among the various studies she has conducted, one particularly compelling research paper on “Qigong Helps College Students Test Better” caught my attention.
Dr. Rhoads serves as a professor at the College of Business at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. In her academic career, she has been responsible for teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship, leadership, project management, health services, analytics, and technology. Before joining Kutztown University, she held several leadership roles at companies such as MBNA, First USA, MillStar, and Hi-Tech Connections. Her professional contributions have earned her over a dozen prestigious community awards, including the Athena Leadership Award and the distinction of being named one of the Top 50 Business Women in Pennsylvania.
Although she had been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for ten years and even won a gold medal in a Push Hands competition, Dr. Rhoads initially viewed the practice as an enjoyable pastime rather than a tool for health and wellness. This perspective changed dramatically on November 5, 2002, when she was involved in a serious car accident. The aftermath of the accident left her in severe pain and with numerous health complications. As a result, she was forced to close her consulting business and was fired from an IT leadership job due to persistent fatigue. Eventually, she transitioned into academia, securing a teaching position at Kutztown University, which provided her with a schedule that allowed her to rest and recuperate between classes.
Despite her struggles, Dr. Rhoads continued practicing Tai Chi and Qigong, noticing that she always felt better afterward. She also explored other integrative health therapies, including therapeutic massage and Pilates. It took a full seven years before she felt like herself again, both physically and mentally. This transformative healing journey deepened her appreciation for Tai Chi and Qigong, prompting her to investigate the biological mechanisms behind their health benefits. One of her most notable papers, “Mechanism of Pain Relief through Tai Chi and Qigong,” published in the Journal of Pain & Relief, has been widely referenced in the scientific community.
One of the key attributes that define Dr. Rhoads’ success is her unwavering professionalism and academic rigor. She has authored ten books and over 250 articles, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She approaches research with meticulous attention to detail, consistently questioning and analyzing various subjects with the highest level of scrutiny. A particular curiosity led her to wonder whether the calming effects of Tai Chi and Qigong benefit individuals with ADHD, like herself, or if these effects were more universal. This question inspired her to conduct an experiment with her students.
For two years, Dr. Rhoads conducted a study involving 171 students, employing a randomized controlled method to ensure objective results. Students were randomly assigned to one of three groups to eliminate any influence their personal abilities might have on the outcome. Five minutes before taking an exam, one group engaged in jumping jacks, another practiced Qigong meditation, and the control group continued studying as usual. The results were striking: the students who practiced Qigong performed better than those who merely continued studying and even outperformed the jumping jacks group. Dr. Rhoads attributes this outcome to increased levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) during Qigong practice, which promotes a calm and focused mind, enhancing cognitive performance. Additionally, hands-on tests demonstrated even more pronounced improvements among students in the Qigong group.
Dr. Rhoads remains an avid researcher in the field of integrative healthcare, focusing on Tai Chi, Qigong, and other holistic health practices. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the World Congress of Qigong Tai Chi TCM & Natural Healing Leadership Award and the Taijiquan Promoter of the Year Award. Her outstanding research efforts, not only in the realm of healing arts but also in various other disciplines, led to her being named Kutztown University’s Top Faculty Researcher of the Year.
At my request, Dr. Rhoads concluded our interview with a brief Qigong meditation session, similar to the one she conducted with her students. Though it lasted only about five minutes, I could feel a strong sense of Qi flowing through me. If you are interested, I highly encourage you to try it by watching the interview—it might just enhance your own sense of well-being.