Question:
Hi
I have been reading a few things on HP and on the web about Chi Kung and it sounds like a really good thing to do (I am still searching for more ways to manage anxiety and stress). One thing I am confused about is, is Chi Kung the same as Tai Chi?
So, if I was to look specifically for a Chi Kung class in my area and could only find Tai Chi classes, would there be any difference? Any replies would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Sandra
x
Chi kung is a bit like abstract tai chi. The exercises in chi kung build energy and help it circulate smoothly through your body. A lot of tai chi classes will teach chi kung. You can always ask if they do it as part of the class.
Qi Gong can be seen as a simplified form of Tai Chi. Tai Chi has a lot of different moves that go into a specific sequence. In Qi Gong sequence is less important, and I find it much less confusing!
Artemis
I find Qi Gong much more intense, stronger & more 'energetic', but this may largely be due to being newer to T'ai Chi so am still at the stage of concentrating on the actual moves for both 24 & short form. i'm starting 48 form in september as well!! eventually i would love T'ai Chi to become a practice, a meditation, because i do feel that its flowing nature is rapturous as opposed to the more discrete Qi Gong. That said, Qi Gong takes on a whole new quality if you do the same exercise for, say 20 mins.
I've come across different styles of Qi Gong, varying from gentle & smiley to pneumatic, so keep exploring. In a way these are things which defy analysis. It's not about choreography, don't worry about doing it wrong xxxxx
Reikirabbit, wait until you get to the 128 form!!!!:D
Artemis
oh Artemis!! it doesn't really matter?? xxx
By doing Taichi you generate chi that can be collected at the end, in Taoist Qi gong you can take the collected chi and of course collect more and then circulate it in meridians (micro and macro orbit) to clear blockages. This also refines the chi and strengthens the chakras creating
health and spirit. Some people teach how to do this in the TaiChi form where you can hold the posture for a time to generate chi and stimulate specific meridians but it is rare. Da Liu's book is a good reference.
Beyong a certian levle of confusion, it does not matter any more! At least not for me... :)
Artemis
i reached the conclusion that it didn't really matter in discussion with an acupuncturist at a summer solstice celebration!
i was dithering over whether to stay with the t'ai chi i know so as to make it more of an energetic practice, or to move on with my cohort, thus reverting to the coreography stage for the foreseeable future. as we were talking we both said 'it doesn't really matter does it?' at exactly the same time.
by this i mean that t'ai chi is a lifelong journey xxx
As is all energy work...
Artemis
My understanding is that Chi Gung came first, and is largely practiced for its health benefits. Tai Chi came later, is based on the same principles, but can be practiced as a martial art. if you see it described asTai Chi Chuan, it should have a martial element.
taiji, at least as i learned it incorporates neigong within the form itself and not as a separate practice though in some lineages and styles of taiji, the neigong and chikung (qigong) aspect is kept as a separate practice.
however, neigong itself normally already implies that qigong is included. neigong is considered to be the practice of the internal principles that make taiji work as a martial art. taiji itself incorporates the 3 essential areas of shen, yi and qi. so to practice a taiji form and then having to practice qigong separately to cultivate the qi for taiji seems a bit unusual to me. the qigong aspect of taiji as incorporated within neigong is every bit as intense if not more intense than any separate qigong because of the three components of shen, yi and qi that is simultaneously being cultivated.
Can Tai Chi help with headaches as well? I too am thinking of doing Tai Chi I am unsure if it is related to Qigong I would like to be able to control my energy in a better way as a Energy worker. i would like to combine it with Martial arts really. Tai Chi Chun sounds ideal but is there another form of martial arts that contains Tai Chi Qigong as well?
Many Thanks
Buddhistone
Many traditional chinese martial arts have qi gong, some are more martial than others. I would recommend comparing schools that are available to you in your reach and by visiting see what you are drawn too.
I have been reading a few things on HP and on the web about Chi Kung and it sounds like a really good thing to do (I am still searching for more ways to manage anxiety and stress). One thing I am confused about is, is Chi Kung the same as Tai Chi?
So, if I was to look specifically for a Chi Kung class in my area and could only find Tai Chi classes, would there be any difference? Any replies would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Sandra
x
Answers:
Chi kung is a bit like abstract tai chi. The exercises in chi kung build energy and help it circulate smoothly through your body. A lot of tai chi classes will teach chi kung. You can always ask if they do it as part of the class.
Answers:
Qi Gong can be seen as a simplified form of Tai Chi. Tai Chi has a lot of different moves that go into a specific sequence. In Qi Gong sequence is less important, and I find it much less confusing!
Artemis
Answers:
I find Qi Gong much more intense, stronger & more 'energetic', but this may largely be due to being newer to T'ai Chi so am still at the stage of concentrating on the actual moves for both 24 & short form. i'm starting 48 form in september as well!! eventually i would love T'ai Chi to become a practice, a meditation, because i do feel that its flowing nature is rapturous as opposed to the more discrete Qi Gong. That said, Qi Gong takes on a whole new quality if you do the same exercise for, say 20 mins.
I've come across different styles of Qi Gong, varying from gentle & smiley to pneumatic, so keep exploring. In a way these are things which defy analysis. It's not about choreography, don't worry about doing it wrong xxxxx
Answers:
Reikirabbit, wait until you get to the 128 form!!!!:D
Artemis
Answers:
oh Artemis!! it doesn't really matter?? xxx
Answers:
By doing Taichi you generate chi that can be collected at the end, in Taoist Qi gong you can take the collected chi and of course collect more and then circulate it in meridians (micro and macro orbit) to clear blockages. This also refines the chi and strengthens the chakras creating
health and spirit. Some people teach how to do this in the TaiChi form where you can hold the posture for a time to generate chi and stimulate specific meridians but it is rare. Da Liu's book is a good reference.
Answers:
Beyong a certian levle of confusion, it does not matter any more! At least not for me... :)
Artemis
Answers:
i reached the conclusion that it didn't really matter in discussion with an acupuncturist at a summer solstice celebration!
i was dithering over whether to stay with the t'ai chi i know so as to make it more of an energetic practice, or to move on with my cohort, thus reverting to the coreography stage for the foreseeable future. as we were talking we both said 'it doesn't really matter does it?' at exactly the same time.
by this i mean that t'ai chi is a lifelong journey xxx
Answers:
As is all energy work...
Artemis
Answers:
My understanding is that Chi Gung came first, and is largely practiced for its health benefits. Tai Chi came later, is based on the same principles, but can be practiced as a martial art. if you see it described asTai Chi Chuan, it should have a martial element.
Answers:
taiji, at least as i learned it incorporates neigong within the form itself and not as a separate practice though in some lineages and styles of taiji, the neigong and chikung (qigong) aspect is kept as a separate practice.
however, neigong itself normally already implies that qigong is included. neigong is considered to be the practice of the internal principles that make taiji work as a martial art. taiji itself incorporates the 3 essential areas of shen, yi and qi. so to practice a taiji form and then having to practice qigong separately to cultivate the qi for taiji seems a bit unusual to me. the qigong aspect of taiji as incorporated within neigong is every bit as intense if not more intense than any separate qigong because of the three components of shen, yi and qi that is simultaneously being cultivated.
Answers:
Can Tai Chi help with headaches as well? I too am thinking of doing Tai Chi I am unsure if it is related to Qigong I would like to be able to control my energy in a better way as a Energy worker. i would like to combine it with Martial arts really. Tai Chi Chun sounds ideal but is there another form of martial arts that contains Tai Chi Qigong as well?
Many Thanks
Buddhistone
Answers:
Many traditional chinese martial arts have qi gong, some are more martial than others. I would recommend comparing schools that are available to you in your reach and by visiting see what you are drawn too.
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