Qigong & Internal Martial Arts

About qigong:  

Qigong is a Chinese energy cultivation practice with roots in Daoist and Buddhist traditions. Qigong works with the principle of “xing ming shuang xiu” – meaning “the spirit and body are equally refined and cultivated.”  Integrating dynamic and static movements, deep breathing and visualisation techniques, qigong is designed to bring the qi, or life force, into the body and encourage it to flow without blockage.

The practices are highly beneficial to the organs and meridians, which in Chinese medicine are believed to reflect our mental and emotional states. Active movements in qigong, sometimes known as “Daoist yoga” tend to be slow, circular, repetitive, graceful and flowing – like wind and water. They loosen the joints, strengthen the tendons and muscles, improve circulation, and relax the nervous system.

​Meditative and breathing practices work strongly with intention and visualization, and are perceived as ways to “enter tranquility,” or rujin.  Complementing Daoist ideas such as naturalism, humility, and effortless action (wuwei), qigong practices ultimately work toward creating greater balance and harmony, and an overall sense of health, vitality and wellbeing. 

Internal martial arts 

Chinese internal martial arts (neijiaquan) classically include three practices: Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang. The focus of internal martial arts is divided equally between health, spirituality/meditation and martial application.

Whereas the external martial arts focus more on developing physical power and strength, the internal arts emphasise practices, principles and movements that generate and optimise the circulation of qi through the body. Practices cultivate relaxation, intention, stillness and natural movement that support a whole body power and awareness. 

​Because the internal arts are aimed at increasing the overall health of a practitioner, they are very much connected to traditional Chinese medicine. In time, one can start to align with the universal forces of the natural world, which the ancient Daoist sages described as a perfect, harmonious state of balance between yin and yang.
 
I am a 6th generation lineage holder in Liu Fengchun's Baguazhang. My shifu is Liu Xuyang, a 5th generation Baguazhang master in Beijing.