I receive
many emails inquiring about the differences between Qigong and Taiji Quan—which
one is most appropriate for a beginner, how they differ, which is more “effective”
and so on.
So I
thought I would elucidate these questions, to benefit newcomers to these arts. If
you are an old-time Player, this post might be a bit elementary and simplistic
for you. But if not—read on!
The Chinese
arts of Qigong and Tai Chi have been evolving over a period of two
millennia. Perfected by Taoist adepts,
enlightened physicians, and master martial artists, they are a living tradition
of exercise and physical cultivation designed to “retard old age and make
Spring eternal.”
Here are a few very basic guidelines:
Both Qigong
and Tai Chi are fundamentally about building Qi (pronounced “chee.”) Although much mystique surrounds the word Qi,
the most usable definition I have come up with is that Qi is a kind of
bio-electricity. Qi “magnetizes” the
iron in the red blood cells for greater oxygen absorption, energizes metabolic
processes in the body, creates mental alertness, and developes strength by electrifying stronger
muscular contractions and making them more coherent.
The Chinese
consider the cultivation of Qi to be the prime requisite to a long and healthy
life, as well as physical power and martial arts prowess. While most Western
sports develop external strength, muscles, stamina and endurance, the ancient Chinese
physicians believed that building up an imposing physique without first developing
a foundation of Qi is like trying to build a structure without a
firm underpinning, which is bound to collapse
An old Chinese
martial arts adage says, “Lian quan, bu
lian gong; dao lao i zhi kung.--If you only practice martial art techniques
and do not cultivate the ‘internal’
(Qi), in the end you will have nothing.”
That is because the Qi nourishes the blood; the blood nourishes the
internal organs; and the organs nurture the musculature and external body. So
Qigong should precede, or at least be a part of any strength building or martial arts program.
Literally Qigong
(pronounced “chee-gung”) means “the cultivation of Qi through practice.” There
are several major types of Qigong:
1.
Qigong for overall health. This is the most common type of Qigong.
There are literally hundreds of
styles and traditions of Qigong. Each serves its own particular purpose and has
its own rationale. A few examples of well-known Qigong styles for health are:
The Eight Brocades, Wild Goose
Qigong, Swimming Dragon Qigong, Spring Forest Qigong, and the Five
Animal Frolics (see below).
2. Qigong for cultivating “intrinsic energy”
in the martial arts to discharge powerful force in combat. Each major martial arts system has its own
specific Qigong practices, for developing the ability to project power
according to the principles and techniques of that particular art.
3. Qigong for opening the energetic
channels prior to meditation. In Taoist meditation and the cultivation of spiritual
energy, it is of supreme importance to make sure the meridians (energetic
channels) are clear before attempting to develop and circulate high-level
energy through them. Various forms of “meditation sickness” described in
ancient Chinese texts are caused by attempting to circulate energy before
clearing the passages.
4. Qigong to develop specialized energy
for Qi-healing on others. There are
numerous traditions of Qi-healing in
China, and each has a method for developing strong Qi in the practitioner, so
that s/he can project that Qi into others in a healing situation.
Irrespective of which of the four
major types of Qigong a beginner aspires to practice, the Qigong for health is
the critical prerequisite for all the others. Obviously, you have to develop
your own Qi to a high level before attempting to circulate it in subtle
spiritual energetic channels, or using it in healing or self-defense. Qigong generally involves specific movement
patterns, breathing, and mind intent. The idea is to create a synergy between
mind, breath, and movement. The more elementary systems of Qigong use more
external movement; more sophisticated
methods use more mind-intention in directing Qi flow and less visible external movement.
There are numerous varieties of
Qigong; a qualified and experienced teacher can tell you which version would be
most appropriate for your body type, temperament, age, aspirations, and
physical needs.
One of the
most highly evolved forms of Qigong is Tai Chi (correctly spelled Taiji and more
properly called Taiji Quan). While many forms of Qigong energize or affect
specific energy channels or organs with individual exercises, Taiji is an
energy cultivation for the entire body simultaneously. It is more profound and
ramified than Qigong. Taiji combines physical exercise, Qi development, self-defense
, and meditation into one coherent whole. Taiji
goes beyond Qigong in that it is actually a form of nei gong—or total
internal cultivation of Qi.
Taiji
embodies a sequence of movements, which can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30
minutes to perform, depending on the number of movements involved. The
sequences range from the “Classical 108 Movement Solo Form” to some newer “short” forms which contain just 24 movements. There are numerous
“Families” or styles of Taiji, each with its own sequence.
Taiji,
unlike Qigong, which often exercises or focuses on individual body parts, moves
from the center outward and involves the entire body acting as a coherent,
powerful unit. Taiji greatly strengthens the legs, creating a firm “root” or
base of power for the upper body. After long practice, you can become firmly
rooted like a tree below, but flexible and soft above. As Lao Tze wrote: “All things when alive are pliable and
yielding; when dead they are hard and tough.” Taiji seeks to maintain the “pliability of
an infant” well into advanced age.
There are
four levels you will experience when learning Taiji:
1. Form
2. Function
3. Feeling
4. Forgetting
Form includes the
movement sequence of the art, and all the principles embodied in the
movements—“root,” balance, structural alignment, dynamic coordination of action, etc. Learning the long sequence of moves enhances
mental focus and concentration.
Function means
the defensive “applications” which are embedded in each movement. It is
ESSENTIAL to learn the Functions of the movements, even if you do not choose to
actively pursue the martial aspects of Taiji. The Functions of the movements
govern the all-important flow of Qi in the form, so doing a “round” of Taiji
without understanding the Function of the movements leads to a lifeless, ”qi-less,” dance which may be pretty, but would lack any
spirit or meaning.
Feeling is the sensation
of Qi circulation once the movements can be performed fluently, with ease and
grace. After a good round of Taiji, you will feel as if you have had a warm
inner “qi-bath” once you have cultivated the correct feeling.
Forgetting is the
epitome of Taiji, when Form, Function,
and Feeling all start to happen and
coalesce spontaneously. Only at this
point can your Taiji form truly be called “meditation.”
A wonderful
example of this final stage of Taiji practice came one morning when I visited
my teacher, T.T. Liang, at his studio in Boston. I didn’t normally visit him unannounced, but
on this occasion, I was in his neighborhood and decided to just stop in and pay
respects.
He lived in his studio, a small
commercial building near Boston’s Fenway. The windows which faced the street
were covered with drapery on the inside, and on the outside a passerby could
see posters with Master Liang’s class schedule, some of his calligraphy, and a
large Taiji symbol. Liang always taught his classes to music, so when I heard
music, I assumed that a class was in progress. I felt a bit awkward about
“crashing” his class, but decided to go in and wait quietly in the back of the
room till the practice had concluded.
So I gently
opened the door and entered…
To my shock
and chagrin, there was the Master doing his own private round of Taiji
practice. What struck me was the ultimately peaceful, almost ethereal
expression in his very bright eyes. He was clearly “somewhere else.” In a moment he recognized my presence,
grinned slightly and said, “Paul Gallagher—surprise attack!” Then he went on to finish his round.
After he
had rested for a few moments, I
commented that he seemed to be in some exalted
zone during his practice. “Yes,” he replied, “I can take a trip to
Paradise any time I want without spending one dime.” At that instant I fully understood the real meaning
of “Forgetting.”
Many new students question and even
deplore the “self-defense” aspects of Taiji. They can’t mentally correlate
“violence” with meditation, calm, etc.
In reality, though, the two apparent poles are not contradictory—they
are simply Yin (meditation) and Yang (self-defense) aspects of the same art.
Proficiency in the defensive aspects creates self-confidence, strength and
root, mental focus, and a feeling of unassailable centeredness.
As a famous
Chinese Taiji master once told an inquiring beginner—“Oh yes, Taiji very good
meditation. If your mind not be clear, you be hit right away.”
Taiji, as a
complete art based on Yin and Yang, is not only about “relaxation.” It seeks to develop the practitioner’s potential to relax and yield, as well as the
potential to be courageous and powerful. It is an art of self-cultivation which
can be practiced enjoyably for a lifetime.
For
information on the Five Animal Frolics,
a very unique form of Qigong which combines elements of Qigong and Taiji into a
fascinating whole with the energies of the Crane, Bear, Monkey, Deer, and
Tiger, please go to http://www.totaltaichi.com/Taiji%20Videos.htm
You can also learn lots more about the entire system of Taiji, training methods, principles, writings of the Masters, and even some cool Taoist tales at
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Drawing%20Silk--Tai%20Chi%20Masters'%20Secrets.htm
You can also learn lots more about the entire system of Taiji, training methods, principles, writings of the Masters, and even some cool Taoist tales at
http://www.totaltaichi.com/Drawing%20Silk--Tai%20Chi%20Masters'%20Secrets.htm
