WHAT IS QIGONG?
ORIGINS
Qigong is a relatively modern term used to describe various practices of Chinese origin with an emphasis on increasing and moving energy throughout the body for health, spiritual, medical or fighting purposes.
There are different ways to translate Qigong into English but we find the below translation useful:
Qi (氣) = energy
Gong (功) = high achievement through dedicated training
Or in short, we can say Qigong = energy training
HOW DO YOU SPELL IT?
There are multiple ways to spell it and all terms mean exactly the same thing and there is no difference between them.
Alternative spellings are: Qi Gong, Chi Kung, Ch'i Kung, Chi Gung, Chi Gong... but we use the modern and official Pinyin spelling.
OK, BUT WHAT IS IT?!?
Before going on to explain what it is, it's best to address the reason why there is so much confusion around what Qigong is. One reason is that it is something that can only be understood through direct experience, and can lead to a lot of confusion if only reading about it or trying to make sense of it by following videos or instructions from a book.
Another reason is the vast variety of practices that fall under the term "Qigong". In fact the term "Qigong" is quite modern, and is actually a catch-all term for both new and ancient practices including Dao Yin, Yangsheng Gong, Neidan, Xing Qi and so on. Some practices are performed lying down, others in various seated positions, some done standing without moving the feet and others are more dynamic and involved stepping sequences.
To better understand Qigong, or energy training, consider the modern practice of "gym training"...
QUIZ TIME!
What do people do at the gym and what is the one and only reason why people go to the gym?
Qigong is a relatively modern term used to describe various practices of Chinese origin with an emphasis on increasing and moving energy throughout the body for health, spiritual, medical or fighting purposes.
There are different ways to translate Qigong into English but we find the below translation useful:
Qi (氣) = energy
Gong (功) = high achievement through dedicated training
Or in short, we can say Qigong = energy training
HOW DO YOU SPELL IT?
There are multiple ways to spell it and all terms mean exactly the same thing and there is no difference between them.
Alternative spellings are: Qi Gong, Chi Kung, Ch'i Kung, Chi Gung, Chi Gong... but we use the modern and official Pinyin spelling.
OK, BUT WHAT IS IT?!?
Before going on to explain what it is, it's best to address the reason why there is so much confusion around what Qigong is. One reason is that it is something that can only be understood through direct experience, and can lead to a lot of confusion if only reading about it or trying to make sense of it by following videos or instructions from a book.
Another reason is the vast variety of practices that fall under the term "Qigong". In fact the term "Qigong" is quite modern, and is actually a catch-all term for both new and ancient practices including Dao Yin, Yangsheng Gong, Neidan, Xing Qi and so on. Some practices are performed lying down, others in various seated positions, some done standing without moving the feet and others are more dynamic and involved stepping sequences.
To better understand Qigong, or energy training, consider the modern practice of "gym training"...
QUIZ TIME!
What do people do at the gym and what is the one and only reason why people go to the gym?
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Think about it for long enough and you'll likely conclude that there is no single answer, because there are so many different activities taking place in a gym, and so many different reasons why people are performing them.
Some lift weights to gain muscle size, others perform cardio workouts to lose weight or improve heart health. Some use resistance machines while others perform bodyweight exercises. Some are there to shape their bodies to be "more attractive", some to battle depression or anxiety. Some are there because their doctor or a family member forced them to go, while others have an unhealthy addiction and spend every available opportunity there.
Some have no idea what they're doing there at all.
However, all are in the same place, and we can say they are all "gym training". But try and explain what gym training is to someone from another planet and they'll struggle to make sense of what it actually is.
Take them to a gym and get them to try the different practices first hand and they'll understand through direct experience.
SO IS QIGONG THE SAME AS TAI CHI?
No.
Tai Chi's origins are in fighting, Qigong's origins depend on which type you are practicing and as mentioned above, are rooted in either health, spiritual, medical or fighting practices, or a combination of these.
Over the past few decades Qigong and Tai Chi practices have become combined and conflated. One reason is that the older methods of Tai Chi are actually very difficult to learn so they have been simplified in modern times to help more people learn them. The internal aspects of Qigong are highly detailed and challenging, but externally most Qigong exercises are relatively easier than Tai Chi and so Tai Chi has been simplified over the years and has come to more closely resemble Qigong since quite a few of their principles are similar.
WHY ARE QIGONG AND TAI CHI OFTEN TAUGHT SIDE BY SIDE?
The short answer is that Tai Chi is actually quite difficult to learn, and modern Qigong exercises are relatively easier and share a lot of Tai Chi's beginner level principles and so for some students it's much more beneficial to initially practice Qigong and to later move on to learning Tai Chi sequences.
Some lift weights to gain muscle size, others perform cardio workouts to lose weight or improve heart health. Some use resistance machines while others perform bodyweight exercises. Some are there to shape their bodies to be "more attractive", some to battle depression or anxiety. Some are there because their doctor or a family member forced them to go, while others have an unhealthy addiction and spend every available opportunity there.
Some have no idea what they're doing there at all.
However, all are in the same place, and we can say they are all "gym training". But try and explain what gym training is to someone from another planet and they'll struggle to make sense of what it actually is.
Take them to a gym and get them to try the different practices first hand and they'll understand through direct experience.
SO IS QIGONG THE SAME AS TAI CHI?
No.
Tai Chi's origins are in fighting, Qigong's origins depend on which type you are practicing and as mentioned above, are rooted in either health, spiritual, medical or fighting practices, or a combination of these.
Over the past few decades Qigong and Tai Chi practices have become combined and conflated. One reason is that the older methods of Tai Chi are actually very difficult to learn so they have been simplified in modern times to help more people learn them. The internal aspects of Qigong are highly detailed and challenging, but externally most Qigong exercises are relatively easier than Tai Chi and so Tai Chi has been simplified over the years and has come to more closely resemble Qigong since quite a few of their principles are similar.
WHY ARE QIGONG AND TAI CHI OFTEN TAUGHT SIDE BY SIDE?
The short answer is that Tai Chi is actually quite difficult to learn, and modern Qigong exercises are relatively easier and share a lot of Tai Chi's beginner level principles and so for some students it's much more beneficial to initially practice Qigong and to later move on to learning Tai Chi sequences.