I love swimming but I was never good with the freestyle turn your head to breathe routine. I can do it but just can't get comfy with it. I prefer breast stoke, raise my head every other stroke to breathe, and back stroke, regular or elementary.
I miss the hell out of the excellent pool at the 24 hour fitness club, a mere 1.5 miles away. I've been paying dues the whole time. Wouldn't want them to go under.
Don't know about other forms of Chi Gong, spell it however you like. The one I learned is a Korean form called Sun Do (pronounced dough). After just a few moments in the first posture I can feel an odd sort of strength in my hands, just from the breathing. I recall when I attended my first introductory event with my teacher (photo), after two or three minutes I felt a cool relaxation coming over my face and head that was hard to describe - amazing and refreshing at any rate.
I suspect they are all similar, based on Taoist principles.
