Qigong vs. Tai Chi: What are the Differences?
A post expalining the differences between Qigong and Taichi.
Recent Comments
70
Hey Kaju! Thank you... this is very well written.
I studied the Taoist Tai Chi for 4 years and then later switched to the Yang Style Tai Chi. These two are very similar except that I found the Yang Style Tai Chi teaches to be more ground rooted which I like better.
The moves have more meaning if you have a good Master that explains the purpose of them.
I didn't do this for the stress or anxiety. I love martial arts... not the physical stuff but the hand and body positions. Great on memory improvements that's for sure....
It's being a few years since I've done the Yang Style Tai Chi and sadly I have forgotten some of my moves... BUT I do have an excellent video to retrain myself and have plans to spend a month in Seattle to continue the Yang Style moves.
There's also the Sword Dance... watch some YouTube videos on this.
I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks!
Monica
Fascinating Monica! I believe you may have mentioned this only once before in passing, you are a woman of many passions and talents!
Thanks for sharing those experiences, especially regarding the Yand Style Tai Chi which I didn't know Glad you will be retraining yourself for your stay in Seattle.
Okay, I'm off to watch the Sword Dance videos, I will let you know!
Great explanation. I'm not a fan of Tai Chi but I do like Qigong. This explanation helps me understand the possible reason. I've done yoga for YEARS and love it. Qigong seems to resemble it more so than Tai Chi.
Thanks for the clarification.
~Debbi
Hi Debbi,
That's great, Thank You:) Yes, that would make perfect sense if you've practiced yoga for years. good for you!
Qigong is also my personal favorite and is closest to yoga, as it combines meditation, movements, breathing, and energy exercise.
I am all about learning to move my internal chi to optimize my health and well-being, so I practice yoga 2x per week, and Qigong exercises 3x per week.
Kaju
Hey Kaju:
Thanks for the clear explanations of the differences between ch'i kung, Tai ch'i and Shaolin. I have had the hardest time trying to explain ch'i kung to people!
The second question after "What is it?" is "Is it like Tai ch'i?" (Argh!) Thank you!
I practice Six Sounds ch'i kung, which is pretty much all I kept from my kung fu student days. (I only did the kung fu so I could get the ch'i kung. I am a lousy warrior but I sure can breathe and wave my arms around well enough. It helps my Monkey Mind hold still.)
Hee!
-- Netta
Please feel free to use and refer to this post ANYTIME someone asks you the question Netta - in fact just bookmark it and save it in a folder, and anytime the question is "popped" don't say a word and send it over:)
Happy to hear you are still practicing the art, keep it up!:)
Hi, Kaju, great post, I believe we all have a quest for knowledge, reading your article about Qigong and Tai Chi help me to understand how powerful can be to practice these disciplines, I am wondering how long it will take you to master this art? I have heard before about Qigong but knew nothing about Tai Chi or Shaolin Kung Fu, I am glad I have learned something new from you,
Thank you.
Jacqueline
There is always something great and new to learn here from someone, I'm glad to share some of my knowledge on Qigong, Tai Chi, and Shaolin Kung Fu with you Jacqueline.
All 3 when practiced correctly carry great health benefits for he body, mind, and spirit. I feel so much better since I have been a practitioner:)
Thanks, I'm really glad you liked my post!
Fascinating article Kaju.
I was not aware of Qigong at all, let alone where it fit in the equation.
Thanks for sharing this information.
All the best for your continued improvement.
KyleAnn
Hi Kyle Ann,
Thanks! I'm really happy you enjoyed my article on the differences between the 3 disciplines. I can say since I've been practicing Qigong and Shaolin techniques have been used on me by Dr. Lee, everything is slowly working toward improvement!
Glad to hear that. I use Tai Chi to help with my severe anxiety, to slow my breathing and calm my heart rate. I’m a firm believer in the wisdom of ancient eastern philosophies.
Fabulous, very proud of you! Keep up this great practice Kyle Ann - and try some Qigong too!
Excellent & fascinating blog post! --
... any kind of meditative physical movements are great for health & spirit ...
... keep well, all the best and ...
.... thanks kindly for sharing this wealth of knowledge on a complex topic all in 1-page ...
.... cheerio... :)
Thanks K, I'm glad you enjoyed reading this:) Indeed, the meditative movements are helping my heath and spirit, and I will continue doing them everyday.
Your comments also tremendously help m spirit my friend, Thank You:))
you're most welcome, Kaju! ... remember to enjoy a 'sniff of the roses' and of course, enjoy every happiness along this amazing journey of life on WA ... cheerio... :)
As Yogis, we don't know much about these other practices and it was very interesting to read the compare and contrast. Thank you for explaining this to us. We know it is helping you and that is what matters most to us.
Hope the hand treatments are continuing along well with the great Dr. Lee!
Colette and Philip
That's fascinating C & P, what a privilege to say that my friends are Yogis, I had no idea!
Please write a post in the future about your practices, I would love to hear about them, and would be mesmerized:)
Kaju
We shall!
Right now, Bootcamp consumes us and we are not as much an energy rabbit as you, dear friend.
Hope Bootcamp is going well for you, too.
C & P
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Thanks for sharing, Kaju.
Always a pleasure Rog!