+ What is QiGong?
You can refer to the about section for an over view of QiGong and much of the site is dedicated to that very question so please look around.
+ What is Qi?
This is a short but complex question, Qi is a word which represents a concept describing synergy and communication. The term Qi was first used as a means of describing the many happenings in QiGong, internal martial arts training and healing that they could not describe. Such as what made a movement full of life or powerful or what caused someone to heal. Qi can be described as the processes of life being allowed or helped to be harmonious. In other words when harmony exists in the process we undertake or are a part of, Qi can be said to be present. You can also think of Qi as always being there only needing the conduit that harmonious practice provided to manifest as needed. There are many ways of describing Qi and it is also a very powerful tool for the mind to comprehend and interact with the complex processes that we perceive as Qi.
+ Is QiGong all about Qi work?
No not directly, QiGong is process work. Harmonizing and allowing process to take place naturally to be exact. If process is natural Qi can be said to have entered the practice. In fact when you practice QiGong Qi should be the last thing you are paying attention to. It is akin to day dreaming about the life you want and what you will do when you get it instead of doing what you should be doing to bring you there, and like that analogy the real reward is in harmonizing with and becomingconscious of the processes you are engaged with. + Is QiGong Dangerous?
No as long as it is allowed to develop naturally and you are guided by a teacher who has already found mastery in the practice. The more complicated the QiGong seems to be, the more steps or parts involved the more chance for complications and less chance for benefit. Let things develop naturally and find correct guidance in how to do it. + Is there one or many types of QiGong?
There are literally thousands of styles and types of QiGong each with their own movements, postures and ideas. + Are all QiGong's equal?
Well yes and no. To a great extent it depends on the practitioner and their level of connection with the essence of QiGong. Though some systems of QiGong make it easier or more difficult to realize the essence due to their practices and thoughts on QiGong.
+ What types of QiGong are there?
There are as I have said before thousands of styles of QiGong and only a few recognized types: healing, martial and spiritual. Many people categorize all Qigong systems including those three types into either hard or soft QiGong, hard QiGong is thought of as martial and conditioning the body to accept huge burdens without breaking and soft QiGong is though of as healing and spiritual minded QiGong. This is a common way of categorizing QiGong but not very accurate to what QiGong is. What many people refer to as hard QiGong is similar to what I refer to as external QiGong though there are some differences. Where hard Qigong refers mostly to martial QiGong, external QiGong refers to any QiGong which does not seek harmonizing with process this can include martial, spiritual or healing QiGong. Internal QiGong can be manifest in martial, healing or spiritual applications and works from a place of harmonizing and awareness. Look on the site for more detailed descriptions of internal and external QiGong. + Are internal and external QiGong equally as good?
While you will generally receive great benefit from both internal and external QiGong there is a great difference between the two. External seeks to coordinate disparate parts of the body and mind and heart around a posture or movement and often seeks to interact with the Qi around them, the act of coordinating in this way separates the practitioner from truly being the practice, movement etc. and thus greatly limits what can be achieved. In thebeginning it is easier to learn external QiGong as you simple need to follow and copy movements from the teacher, which is relatively easy. Where in internal QiGong it is not simply the movements but precisely how the movements or postures are born and evolve into another that is important, in internal QiGong it is important to gain a conscious understanding of all that is going on in your body mind intention and surroundings. It is far more difficult to learn internal QiGong and though the learning curve is steep a student of internal QiGong begins a process of exponential growth which external QiGong cannot offer. + What is the difference between QiGong and Yoga?
Absolutely nothing, from a QiGong perspective Yoga is a type of QiGong and is very respected.
+ Is there a difference in practicing QiGong for health, martial application or spiritual growth?
In internal QiGong no, it is only a matter of how it is expressed in your life and in each moment.
+ Can QiGong heal me?
QiGong is a great way to regain and foster good health. Certain applications of QiGong can provide targeted healing for example the use of QiGong with massage can provide healing effects to specific parts of your body. Certain. movements also have localized benefit. QiGong in general however is not a remedy for symptoms but a holistic approach for maintaining harmony in our bodies and lives. Many ailments are as a result of or become problems due to disharmony so by bringing ourselves back into harmony there is great potential for healing. QiGong works with emotional health very effectively as well, correct practice helps to balance factors such as hormones which greatly affect our emotions and mental states. At more advance levels of practice emotion and the mind are further explores and integrated into practicing qigong. + Is TaiJi QiGong?
Yes and in a way QiGong is TaiJi. TaiJi is an internal martial art much like HeYiTongBei in fact TaiJi has many of its roots in HeYiTongBei. Internal Martial Arts are practices which are QiGong, though it is not called QiGong, the very act of practicing an internal art like TaiJi if done correctly is the highest level of QiGong practice.
+ What is HeYiTongBei?
You can find a basic description of HeYiTiongBei in the about section and much of the site is dedicated to it so look around. But since you are here, here is a little tidbit about HeYiTongBei HeYiTongBei is an ancient and amazing internal martial art. HeYiTongBei is based on the practitioner being unified or in harmony, the whole body including blood, nerves, bone, muscles, air etc as well as the mind, intention and the heart and spirit. HeYiTongBei also called TongBei is about harmonizing the person/practitioner. This is very different than many styles of martial arts which seek to copy or embody the movement and spirit of another animal, you can say that TongBei is about being the best and most harmonious you, you can be, accept and flourish in your humanity. Practicing TongBei is great for health, practitioners in their 60's 70's and 80's move like they are in their 30's 40's and 50's their health is very strong they are vital. TongBei is a martial art and is capable of emitting great power as it harmonizes your body mind and spirit, great power or Qi is present and when manifest in a martial sense is devastating. + I think I have heard of TongBei before my teacher has said he practiced it, is that tongbei?
No, they are most likely not the same arts. HeYiTongBei also sometimes called TongBei is the art described and taught on this site. The art you have heard about or seen elsewhere is a different art which has been traditionally called TongBi. There are many types of TongBi such as, white ape or BaiYuan, WuXing or five element, ma style and others. These are all TongBi which seeks to copy or mimic the movements of an ape or monkey, remember HeYiTongBei does not mimic any animals movements are done as people (more about this in the introduction to HeYiTongBei). There are many other definitive differences from the methods of power generation to the types and number of movements and many more things. One of the largest differences is that they were founded at different times and have veryseparate lineages. As I mentioned traditionally one was called TongBei and one TongBi. In contemporary times common usage has begun writing and pronouncing TongBi as TongBei. So in contemporary time the names are very similar but the arts are unique and very different. + I have seen the BaiYuanTongBei association in new york is that the same as HeYiTongBei?
No they are not the same arts. HeYiTongBei also sometimes called TongBei is the art described and taught on this site. The art you have heard about or seen elsewhere is a different art which has been traditionally called TongBi. There are many types of TongBi such as, white ape or BaiYuan, WuXing or five element, ma style and others. These are all TongBi which seeks to copy or mimic the movements of an ape or monkey, remember HeYiTongBei does not mimic any animals movements are done as people (more about this in the introduction to HeYiTongBei). There are many other definitive differences from the methods of power generation to the types and number of movements and many more things. One of the largest differences is that they were founded at different times and have veryseparate lineages. As I mentioned traditionally one was called TongBei and one TongBi. In contemporary times common usage has begun writing and pronouncing TongBi as TongBei. So in contemporary time the names are very similar but the arts are unique and very different. + What is TuiShou?
TuiShou also known as push hands is the essence of ones personal, martial art or QiGong practice and brings it to an arena where you are interacting with another conscious, aware and creative person who may or may not share your plans for the encounter. By practicing push hands you discover how much you are able to harmonize within your self and your surroundings and discover a whole new level of harmonizing with another aware and creative person. You can find more information on TuiShou on the about TuiShou page and throughout the website. + Are TuiShou and push hands similar?
Yes, TuiShou is the Chinese name and push hands is the direct and most common direct translation. + Are push hands and sticky hands similar?
No they are not. The translated English names sound similar but they are very different practices with very different purposes and results. Push hands is what I have described earlier ( look at the about TuiShou page for more detailed info on push hands) where sticky hands is a martial arts drill to train and improve sensitivity, timing and fluidity in sensing, stopping and delivering strikes at close distance. There is really very little similarity between the two though some people do interchange the terms and mix the practices. + Is TuiShou for real?
Yes it is, but it is not cut and dry. TuiShou represents the highest skill level in internal arts and of the practitioner, it is a way of interacting dynamically with another personsprocesses, and harmonizing with them. + Are TuiShou demonstrations with people flying off masters who don't seem to move real?
Yes but it is important to understand what is going on which you will learn in the TuiShou sections of this site.
+ How do I choose a good teacher or guide?
This is not an easy question because it is so hard for a new student to know the quality of a teacher. Like discerning a good wine it takes a long time to get a feel for a teacher or practitioners quality and even that is determined by having someone teach you how to tell , what to look for. Firstly there are not many teachers of high quality around, I wish that was not so and hope it changes but for the time being it is the case. I will be adding content to the sight which will help you to know what to look for. What I do recommend is quality over all else it is better for you to train once a year or over long distance with a skilled Master than blunder around with someone just because they are local or a nice person. Your teacher is your guide and they are guiding you up a mountain, you need to know and trust they are at the top and able to guide you through pitfalls and challenges making your journey easier. This does not mean an older more experienced teacher is on top of the mountain or a younger teacher not. Things you can look for is a love of the art, concern for you, balanced emotions, the teacher is a direct student of their teacher ideally a disciple, in any case they should have spent extended time with their teacher. There are many little things to look for which you can find around the site.
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