What's The Difference Between Tai Chi And Qigong?
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There are similarities and differences between the practices of Qigong and Tai Chi, both are practices that focus on cultivating energy, also known as qi or chi.
Keep on reading to learn more about Qigong vs Tai Chi, what they are, their differences, similarities, and which practice is best for you.
Brief History of Qigong vs Tai Chi
Qigong and Tai Chi have a long history. They stem from common origins but have differences in how they're practiced. The practice of Qigong stems from the practice of cultivating qi (chi), primarily for health practices. Tai Chi also cultivates chi but has more of a background in the martial arts.
What is Qi or chi?
Qi is the fundamental vital life force that underlies and permeates the universe and all living things.
The practice of Qigong began as early as several thousand years ago. By 1970, as Eastern medicine became more pronounced, Qigong became more widespread.
Another difference between Qigong and Tai Chi is that some scholars credit the Taoist monk Chang San-Feng with the development of Tai Chi in the 12th Century A. D. There are other authorities who say the art was developed at another time.
Different families practiced a variation of Tai Chi until more unified and commercial forms became prominent.
Let’s now delve into demystifying Qigong vs Tai Chi.
What Is Qi Gong?
Before diving into Tai Chi vs Qigong, we must understand what they are. Qigong is a mind and body practice that can improve one's health and well-being. Qi refers to the life force or vital energy, which is the energy that gives power to the mind, body, and spirit. Gong refers to work or gathering of Qi.
Qigong practices can include movement, breathing exercises, meditation, sound, self-massage, and focused intent. There are likely thousands of forms of Qigong that have been developed over the years.
Qigong enhances the flow of energy in the energetic pathways called meridians that are used in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are thousands of studies that show the effectiveness of Qigong in improving a myriad of health conditions.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is the short form for Taiji Quan. It's practiced for both health and self-defense purposes. The art is meant to develop and integrate the mind, body, and spirit, which is a similarity when studying Tai Chi vs. Qigong. It's origin lies in ancient China, and now has become very popular with people practicing all over the world.
A difference between Qigong and Tai Chi is that Tai Chi calls for vast in-depth knowledge and can take much longer to learn than Qigong. There are shorter forms of Tai Chi that can be learned much quicker. For many people, it's a lifetime journey that integrates the mind and body.
The primary principles behind Tai Chi include generating internal energy and control of movements. It also entails mindfulness, serenity, and loosening. The main purpose is to cultivate the Qi, or energy of life, within individuals.
The practice aims at creating total harmony between the inner and the outer self. This is achieved through the integration of the body and mind.
Inner Strength
There's more to Tai Chi than one can see, so that it's impossible to fully describe the art. Overall, Tai Chi is enjoyable, and aesthetically pleasing. It is essentially a combination of meditation and basic exercise for the whole body.
The movements of Tai Chi are designed to flow; creating inner strength, like water flowing through a smooth surface. The tranquility is believed to generate power for healing and wellness. With ongoing practice, people can feel internal energy while creating more of it.
Tai Chi becomes a lifestyle for many practitioners. When engaging in the art, a practitioner can get very tranquil.
What is the Difference Between Qigong and Tai Chi?
Now that you know a little more about Tai Chi and Qigong, what are their primary differences? Some say that the only difference between Qigong and Tai Chi is in the pronunciation, but let's delve into it more deeply than that.
1. Qigong vs Tai Chi – Tai Chi is More Complex
While both practices entail physical movements, Tai Chi is generally more involved. It comprises a series of many moves, which can take months to learn and master. There are also shorter forms that can be learned much quicker.
On the other hand, Qigong can be a single movement repeated many times or a more complex series of movements. Sometimes, there's no movement involved at all, but only breathing or meditation.
Generally, a major difference between Qigong and Tai Chi is that Qigong is considered easier to learn than Tai Chi.
2. Qigong vs Tai Chi – Tai Chi is More Focused on Form
Tai Chi calls for a lot of discipline. How you position your feet, knees, and spine is very crucial for the proper execution of the practice. Qigong is a free-form practice that's also less rigid.
3. Qigong vs Tai Chi – Qigong is Adaptive
Qigong can have just a few movements and hence is quite adaptable. It allows anyone in any condition to practice it, especially the breathing exercises. The simple moves involved are easy to match to any level of physical ability.
Tai Chi features many positions, moves, and stances. Some of them may be difficult to achieve. Athletes who have had severe injuries or participants with disabilities may be unable to cope with the movements.
4. Qigong vs Tai Chi – Tai Chi is More of a Martial Art Than Qigong
Although Qigong and Tai Chi are both sometimes classified as martial arts, Qigong is more of a wellness system than a martial art. It's a practice that's deeply intertwined with the traditional way of life of the ancient Chinese.
Tai Chi is more recent, further developed by Shaolin Monks and Chinese military leaders. The practice was often intended for combat and self-defense. They borrowed some methods from Qigong and interwove the elements of self-defense.
A huge difference between Qigong and Tai Chi is that for its many components, Tai Chi is more of martial art while Qigong falls under wellness exercises.
There are over 170 types of martial arts including Tai Chi.
5. Qigong vs Tai Chi – Qigong is an Institution in China
For its wellness and anti-aging features, Qigong is considered an element of daily living. It has gained popularity as part of the Chinese National Health plan. Its practice is embraced in schools, hospitals, and universities.
Tai Chi also produces health benefits. It makes an excellent choice for promoting strength, health, fitness, and good posture. Meanwhile, it also increases mental focus.
Other Tai Chi vs Qigong Differences and Similarities
Generally Tai Chi forms, except the very simple ones, usually take much more time to learn than Qigong. Tai Chi involves an elaborate set of movements whereas Qigong is usually not quite as structured.
Qigong practitioners can achieve potent healing powers for themselves and also to help heal others.
Qigong is generally used for self-healing.
The emphasis of both arts is on energy or Qi. Both practices use visualization, body movements, and breathing to guide the flow of Qi.
Tai Chi puts more emphasis on the martial characteristics of the training. The movements in Tai Chi can be theoretically applicable for self-defense. Qigong movements exist mainly for health, body healing, and meditation.
Who is Qigong and Tai Chi For?
You might ask if you have to be in great shape to start the practices. The answer is that you do not need to be strong, flexible, or balanced to engage in Qigong and Tai Chi. The over-all goal of the arts is to make you more flexible, strong, and balanced.
The arts are applicable to almost all fitness levels. Tai Chi and Qigong also require no equipment and can be done from anywhere. It's possible to start from any position, whether modified or adapted. Remember that they both work under the same principles, only that one is more involved than the other.
Tai Chi and Qigong for Seniors
Since Qigong and Tai Chi can be performed by anyone at any age and bring various health and physical benefits, these practices are ideal for seniors. Through mindful movement, seniors can regulate and balance their energy and enter a state of relaxation and calm.
By practicing Qigong and Tai Chi, you can preserve energy as you get older and enhance your quality of life. Both arts consist of gentle and slow exercises and offer benefits of flexibility, strengthening, endurance, and focus.
So Tai Chi and Qigong for seniors will only improve their overall wellness by improving balance and their overall energy flow.
Take Aways
Qigong and Tai Chi are practices that stem from the same roots. When trying to understand Qigong vs Tai Chi, it's worth noting that they are based on similar concepts.
Qigong is thought to be a wellness practice, while Tai Chi is more for self-defense. Qigong practitioners focus on anti-aging effects. That's why the practice is more widely practiced in China than any other martial art.
Tai Chi comprises many movements. It lays more emphasis on physical movements and the flow of energy. But both arts can be practiced from any level of fitness and progressed to the desired level.
To achieve enhanced results in your practice, you can combine both arts. You'll reap both physical and health benefits.
If you have any questions about Qigong or Tai Chi or you want to start receiving monthly healing, be sure to contact us.
Qigong Energy Healing
Qigong energy healing is one of the oldest of the energetic healing practices and ancient records show that it has been around for thousands of years. China has clinics in China where they treat serious health conditions with Qigong. There are many scientific studies in China that point to the effectiveness of Qigong practice and treatment. Here are some conditions that energetic healing can help with:
Banish Illness
Dissolve Pain & Stress
Restore Energy & Stamina
Conquer Anxiety and Depression
Overcome Insomnia
Revive the Immune System
Balance Emotions
Relax and Calm the Mind & Body
Boost Creativity & Productivity
Help Heal a Variety of Health Conditions by Balancing the Energy System
Distant energy healing therapy is now being recognized as an alternative energetic healing modality and is being clinically studied at places like California Pacific Medical Center in Northern California. Qigong distant healing has been used successfully in the Far East since ancient times.
Experience the benefits of energy healing from Qigong Energy Healing. Our energy healer - Michael Mohoric -specializes in global distant energy healing. He has thousands of positive testimonials how his work has helped heal many serious illnesses, pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and more. He discovered he was blessed with a gift of distant energy healing after recovering from a serious spinal cord injury. Distance energy healing can even be done right in the comfort of your own home. Your energy healer does not need to be present for you to benefit from the healing energy.
Let us help you release energy blocks in your body and improve your health and wellness. Learn more about Qigong Energy Healing in this page.
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Testimonials
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About The Author:
Michael Mohoric is a remote energy healer who has studied a variety of alternative healing systems for over 30 years. He practiced meditation and yoga for many years and started studying Qigong in 1994, after experiencing some health issues.
In August 2000, Michael suffered a severe spinal cord injury and lost most of the use and feeling in his arms and legs. He was told that he might never walk again. He used the Qigong techniques he learned to help heal himself. He also discovered he was blessed with a gift for distant energy healing while recovering.
For several years, Michael served as the Secretary of the International Tibetan Qigong Assoc. He has worked with people all over the world to help them regain and enhance their health and well-being. He has over 1,000 endorsements on Linkedin from other professionals, many in the health care profession.
He was invited to the 13th and 20th World Congress on Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine and conducted a remote healing session for the attendees. He is also a professional member of the National Qigong Association.
Read more about Michael and his story in our About page
