Sung Taiji Qigong

Sunday 5th September 2010 - 04: 18: AM

Originally a martial art and still practiced as such by many, Tai Chi (sometimes written as "Taiji") is today perhaps better known as a health exercise art. Its popularity grows worldwide as more and more people are attracted to the rhythmic, beautiful, (usually) slow and relaxed continuous movement forms and discover the benefits to health and wellbeing that come from frequent and regular practice.

Qigong (pronounced chee gung and sometimes written as "Chi Gung") is a generic term used for many health art exercises and sets of exercises that are equally as popular and beneficial as Tai Chi. In fact, many Qigong exercises are far older than Tai Chi with some records dating back thousands of years. One might even say that Tai Chi, for health and wellbeing, is Qigong.

Both Tai Chi and Qigong originate in China. Tai Chi roughly translated means "Supreme Ultimate" and its full title Tai Chi Chuan means "Supreme Ultimate Fist" reflecting here its origin as a martial art. Qigong may be roughly translated as "energy work" and may be further interpreted as energy exercise work done persistently and proficiently.

To the practitioner and observer Tai Chi and Qigong can sometimes look and feel quite similar. Identifying and understanding a distinction between the two is not absolutely essential when both are practiced for health and wellbeing.

There are many marvellous styles and sets of Tai Chi and Qigong but, what they all have in common is the observance of underlying Principles. It is the Principles that make Tai Chi and Qigong what they are. Without them one cannot be said to be doing Tai Chi and Qigong properly and indeed, will be in danger of missing out on the potential benefits.