Tai Chi and Qigong (Chi Kung)
Tai Chi Chuan has many translations, although the most commonly agreed version is The Supreme Ultimate Fist (or boxing style). Tai Chi goes back a long time. Below are a selection of works done on the various aspects of Tai Chi Chuan, they are nowhere near complete and just give a tiny snippet of thepages and pages of information that can be found about Tai Chi Chuan. We have tried to acknowledge the sources of all the information given to the best of our ability. If there is a mistake or any queries please contact us. The author(s) cannot guarantee the correctness of anything either from their own words or from quotes given.
Philosophy and Religious Background
Benefits and Purposes of Tai Chi
Different types of Tai Chi Chuan
The Future of Tai Chi - One persons perspective
Qigong (Chi Kung)
--Morihei Ueshiba
Chi Kung is thought to be a very ancient exercise system, with evidence of similar movements being shown on statues from the Qin dynasty, 221-210 B.C. (Tai Chi - The Supreme Ultimate. L.Galante). It has long been used by Eastern philosophers who had an "holistic approach to their own well being, which meant that they took responsibility for their own continuing good health which included exercise and medicine. Chi Kung is a personal discipline that combines stillness, or gentle movements, with focused, regular breathing." (The Essence of Tao. P. Ball) Chi Kung exercises are carried out slowly and precisely. It is thought that the specific moves allow for the free-flow of Chi around the body. Chi is part of the body's energy which, the Chinese believe, gives health when it is circulating properly and can cause illness when blockages occur. It can be thought of as "invisible or energy blood". The "heart" of Chi is the Dantien (Tan-Tien) which is located just below the navel and inside the body. Although Chi circulates naturally through the body exercises like Chi Kung and Tai Chi Chuan are thought to aid in this circulation and allows the body to rid itself of illness. The deep breathing aids the circulation of Chi and allows the body and mind to relax. It is through this relaxation that allows the practitioner to be freed from preconceptions of what the body is capable of doing.
"One of the main focal points of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung is relaxation. Relax and things will happen. Try and force things and there is almost a cosmic stubbornness preventing that very occurrence."
--Deilen Mawr
On a purely scientific approach Chi Kung exercises allow for the muscles to be exercised and so improving blood circulation and muscle tone and strength. The deep breathing which is essential in Chi Kung allows for oxygen to reach the brain and so provides a claming yet invigorating effect. Within Chi Kung one must concentrate on the exercises and so they also allow the brain to be given a "work out". All these things have long been proved to aid well being and help fight off illness.
Whether one is scientific or more spiritual, the practice of Chi Kung generally adds up to the same thing:
Tai Chi
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