Qigong and Tai Chi--Arts of Cultivating Life-Energy and Quiet Mind

 

            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.

 

(C)  Copyright Paul B. Gallagher 2012, all rights reserved

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            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