What is chi?

Put simply, it is that which gives life. In terms of the body, chi is that which differentiates a corpse from a live human being. Chi is the basis of acupuncture and all Chinese medicine. A strong life force makes a human being totally alive, alert, and "present." While a weak force results in sluggishness and fatigue. Consequently, the development of chi can make an ill person robust or a weak person vibrant; it can also enhance mental capacity. The concept of "life force" is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world. In India, it is called prana; in China, chi or Qi; in Japan, Ki; for Native Americans, it is the great spirit.

Is chi gung the same as qigong and is tai chi the same as taiji?

These are different transliterations of the same Chinese words. Any attempt to transliterate the sounds of Chinese words into English with any accuracy will fall far short. This is because Chinese not only has sounds that English does not have, but it uses a system of vocal "tones," which do not exist in English.Written Chinese is composed of ideogram pictures, each of which may convey one idea or several combined ideas. These ideograms, when spoken, are pronounced differently in the various languages and dialects in China. There are multiple systems of transliteration for the exact same sound, including the Pin Yin, Wade-Giles and the Yale systems. For example, Chi Gung in the Yale system is Qi gong or qigong in Pin Yin, and chi kung in Wade-Giles. Bruce Frantzis uses transliterations that allow the English speaker to best mimic what the Chinese actually sounds like rather than adhering strictly to any one formal transliteration system.

What is chi gung?

Chi Gung, which literally means "energy work," is the practice of learning to control the movement of the life force internally, using only the mind to direct energy in the body. Physical movement may be used, but is not required.

What is the difference between chi gung and nei gung?

All Chi Gung practices are derived from the parent Nei gung systems. The emphasis in nei gung is on developing the core energy that travels through the center of the body, and, from the core, opening and energizing the peripheral energy lines (the acupuncture meridians, for example). Chi gung concentrates on working the more superficial energy lines first, and, through these, affecting the core energy. Today the word chi gung tends to be used to describe all chi development practices. Therefore, although Bruce Frantzis teaches nei gung, he calls it chi gung because this name is more familiar in the West.

What is the sixteen-part nei gung system?

The energetic work of Taoist Chi Gung, Internal martial arts and meditation is based on a sixteen-part Nei gung system. The sequence of learning the sixteen components is flexible and depends on whether you are primarily interested in health, healing others, Martial Arts or meditation. The sixteen basic components of Taoist nei gung include:

What is the relationship between chi gung and the internal martial arts (tai chi, hsing-i, and ba gua)?

The three Internal martial arts of Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Ba Gua are all based on the Nei gung system of chi development. They combine the most effective fighting techniques of ancient China and fuse them with the nei gung system of internal power development. This combination produces two seemingly unrelated results: superior competitive athletic and fighting skills and superior health. These arts are also, at high levels, complete spiritual development systems. Tai chi is the best known of the internal Martial Arts. Today, most people practice tai chi for health only and never learn its self-defense aspects.

What is the difference between internal and external martial arts?

The External martial arts, such as kung fu, boxing, Karate and Tae kwon do, generate powerful movements from tense, muscles and use muscular strength, bursts of physical tension, growls and sometimes overt aggression that is often catalyzed by the release of adrenaline. The Internal martial arts, for example Tai Chi, Hsing-I, Ba Gua, and Aikido, generate movements from chi energy. Practitioners’ bodies move in a relaxed, soft, and fluid manner. The internal Martial Arts do not encourage overt emotional aggression and anger as a primary power source. People who have difficulty comprehending how tai chi’s slow movements can translate into fast fighting will have even more difficulty understanding how fighting that does not engage emotional aggression and anger can be as or more effective than fighting techniques that do.

How do I tell the difference between feeling physical sensations and feeling chi?

Both your physical body and chi generate sensations you can feel. The sensation of chi is just as concrete as the physical body, only slightly more subtle, with a feeling that is lighter but nonetheless very real. Some compare it to bioelectricity. Some of the standard sensations of chi are heat, cold, pressure, wind, light, electricity, numbness, and mist. For example, in a platonic relationship, a touching of hands or a peck on the cheek is usually a fairly physical experience. In a sexual context however, a touch or kiss can send an energy wave within and throughout one or both of the participant's bodies. This wave is chi.

Is tai chi or chi gung a religion?

No. To practice Tai Chi or Chi Gung you do not have to believe or disbelieve in gods, spirits, or an afterlife. There are large numbers of practitioners of all religions. Yet many consider the practice of tai chi or chi gung to be a spiritual practice. The line between art and spirituality is often very thin. Techniques of art can stimulate creative forces and refine them. If that intensity is directed toward inner revelation, rather than external accomplishment, the training that the art provides may bridge the gap between the secular and the spiritual. If so, tai chi or chi gung becomes a tool for spiritual awakening. For more details on tai chi and spirituality see The Big Book of Tai Chi, Chapter 8.