Studying qi gong inner energy development starts with choosing one of many forms.
Qi gong, or qi kong, is a form of martial art that includes Chinese gong fu. In fact, many Chinese people use the term "gong fu" to describe the skill a person exhibits, but "qi gong" to describe the study of that skill. There are many forms of qi gong, including hsing-i qi gong, which focuses on inner energy exercises. Other forms, such as tai qi (or tai chi), focus on building and strengthening the body's chi, or vital life force.
Tai Qi
Through the simple study of tai qi, the qi that naturally occurs in nature can be gathered and attached to a practitioner's qi. Various forms and exercises of tai qi can be used to strengthen particular aspects of the qi, and thus bring it into better balance. Among the many different tai qi exercises are the eight brocade exercises. These are the eight most common tai qi forms and are taught in most introductory tai qi classes.
Hsing I Ch'uan Qi Gong
One of the earliest forms of qi gong is Hsing I Cu'uan. Early in its development it was called "nei gong," which means "inner exercise." This form of chi gong is specifically intended to build up inner chi energy. The most widespread form of Hsing I Ch'uan Gong is He Bei Hsing I, which originated in He Bei province. The oldest form is Shan Xi, which originated in the province of the same name. This form has more intricacies than the more popular He Bei form. It contains more nuances of the animal study forms and in the elemental study forms.
The Five Elements
Both of the above forms offer exercises to strengthen the chi and its five elements, along with its yin and yang. The five elements of Chinese qi gong and chinese medicine are fire, a yang energy; earth, a neutral energy; gold, a yang energy; water, a yin energy; and wood, also a yin energy. The study of inner energy qi gong helps strengthen and balance the subtle energies of the qi.
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