| hi Chi Kung / Qi Gong by definition refers to Tai | | | | and why it stays an important issue in training as |
| Chi energy work. In this post I will try to shed | | | | one progresses. Incorrect and bad posture |
| some light on what is meant by the Chi Kung / Qi | | | | impedes and blocks energy flow so it is important |
| Gong energy work aspect of the practice? | | | | to get it right. While you are learning and working |
| Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong is often taught as a | | | | on this you are not really performing Tai Chi yet |
| set of moves separate from the Tai Chi sets. I | | | | but are simply learning something you need to |
| have found that the vast majority of the time | | | | understand to perform real Tai Chi. |
| these other moves do not come with much of an | | | | One of the first things you learn in Tai Chi and |
| explanation of why and how they are any | | | | that is a necessity in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong |
| different from the Tai Chi in the Tai Chi sets and | | | | is known as Sung which translates as relaxation |
| that the moves by themselves do not impart any | | | | both inside and out. Any tension in the body will |
| kind of ability different than what is already | | | | impede or stop the flow of energy through the |
| available in the Tai Chi sets. | | | | body. This can be structural tension (bad or |
| So, what is Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? First of all | | | | improper positioning), physical tension (like holding |
| the Tai Chi moves are just Tai Chi choreography | | | | tension in your shoulders or neck simply because |
| or moves until you begin to actually to practice | | | | you do not allow them to relax) or mental or |
| the energetic aspects of the art. The real practice | | | | emotional tension that is manifested in the body |
| of Tai Chi is Chi Kung / Qi Gong. As soon as you | | | | such as jaws clenched and a tight face when |
| start practicing the energetic aspects the Tai Chi | | | | someone is having a bad day. |
| so to speak then you are really practicing Tai Chi | | | | So, for proper Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi |
| (probably with the moves) and not just the | | | | Gong you first need Sung relaxation and proper |
| moves. At that same moment you are now | | | | posture. Once you have these you can really |
| practicing and or applying the Chi Kung / Qi Gong. | | | | perform Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong. |
| An obvious question at this point might be so | | | | The next step in solo Tai Chi practice is all Tai Chi |
| what makes Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? That is | | | | Chi Kung / Qi Gong. You begin to work different |
| a very big question because the answer could and | | | | aspects of energy within your Tai Chi both for |
| does fill books. I will try to shed some light on it | | | | fighting and for self defense purposes. There are |
| here. | | | | approximately 36 different primary expressions |
| First of all in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong are the | | | | of energy in Tai Chi. You use your mind to direct |
| physical structural alignments which are a | | | | the internal movement and chi into an expression. |
| necessity for the proper flow of energy through | | | | That expression is known as Jing. Jing is an |
| and around the body including through the | | | | expression of Chi or energy hence it is energy |
| acupuncture meridians of the body. This is part of | | | | work. A few jing expressions are well known and |
| the reason that so much emphasis gets put on | | | | some are quite obscure.to be continued... |
| the moves at the beginning of a students training | | | | |