Three Major Types of Qigong
We could generally divide the many styles of qigong into three major categories:
1. Moving Qigong , also called Dao Yin (導引), means to move or guide. It refers to guiding the qi through movement or with the mind. Since you are moving the qi throughout your body, Dao Yin is very good for clearing blockages in the meridians (energy channels). Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Sets 1, 2, and 3 are all examples of moving qigong.
2. Standing Qigong, Zhan Zhuang (站樁), means ‘stand like a pillar’Zhan Zhuang is very good for increasing the quantity of qi. It is also develops your internal strength and stamina. This is why many martial artists spend a great deal of time practicing Zhan Zhuang. The Wuji Stance which precedes the Shibashi form and the ‘Holding a Qi Ball Stance’ which follows it are examples of standing qigong.
3. Meditative Qigong is similar to meditation. It focuses on training the mind and transforming the quality of qi. Sometimes, it is also called Nei Gong. Nei means ‘inner’, so it is a deeper form of meditation often used for spiritual purposes. The Inner Alchemy (Nei Dan) and the Solar Qigong are examples of meditative qigong.
A quality qigong system should incorporate all three categories of qigong. For beginners, it is best to start with Dao Yin, moving qigong. Through this practice, energy moves in the body, to free-up and clear blockages. After the meridians are cleared, one can focus more on Zhan Zhuang in order to increase qi. This standing qigong requires patience and stamina. If blockages have not been cleared, practicing Zhan Zhuang could be quite uncomfortable.
In order to achieve one’s full potential, practitioners of Dao Yin and Zhan Zhuang must also embrace a form of meditative qigong. Once qi is increased through Zhan Zhuang, one then focuses on Meditative Qigong to refines the qi. First one builds-up a sufficient quantity, then works on the quality of qi. When ready for Meditative Qigong, one should continue to practice moving and standing qigong. Practicing qigong at the highest level requires a balanced system of all three forms of qigong.
The Qigong Mode and Tai Chi Posture Requirements program covers the three categories of qigong, but emphasis is on the Dao Yin (moving) and Zhan Zhuang (standing) forms. The more advance course, the Level Three workshop, delves deeper, and details the practice of Nei Gong.
We could generally divide the many styles of qigong into three major categories:
1. Moving Qigong , also called Dao Yin (導引), means to move or guide. It refers to guiding the qi through movement or with the mind. Since you are moving the qi throughout your body, Dao Yin is very good for clearing blockages in the meridians (energy channels). Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Sets 1, 2, and 3 are all examples of moving qigong.
2. Standing Qigong, Zhan Zhuang (站樁), means ‘stand like a pillar’Zhan Zhuang is very good for increasing the quantity of qi. It is also develops your internal strength and stamina. This is why many martial artists spend a great deal of time practicing Zhan Zhuang. The Wuji Stance which precedes the Shibashi form and the ‘Holding a Qi Ball Stance’ which follows it are examples of standing qigong.
3. Meditative Qigong is similar to meditation. It focuses on training the mind and transforming the quality of qi. Sometimes, it is also called Nei Gong. Nei means ‘inner’, so it is a deeper form of meditation often used for spiritual purposes. The Inner Alchemy (Nei Dan) and the Solar Qigong are examples of meditative qigong.
A quality qigong system should incorporate all three categories of qigong. For beginners, it is best to start with Dao Yin, moving qigong. Through this practice, energy moves in the body, to free-up and clear blockages. After the meridians are cleared, one can focus more on Zhan Zhuang in order to increase qi. This standing qigong requires patience and stamina. If blockages have not been cleared, practicing Zhan Zhuang could be quite uncomfortable.
In order to achieve one’s full potential, practitioners of Dao Yin and Zhan Zhuang must also embrace a form of meditative qigong. Once qi is increased through Zhan Zhuang, one then focuses on Meditative Qigong to refines the qi. First one builds-up a sufficient quantity, then works on the quality of qi. When ready for Meditative Qigong, one should continue to practice moving and standing qigong. Practicing qigong at the highest level requires a balanced system of all three forms of qigong.
The Qigong Mode and Tai Chi Posture Requirements program covers the three categories of qigong, but emphasis is on the Dao Yin (moving) and Zhan Zhuang (standing) forms. The more advance course, the Level Three workshop, delves deeper, and details the practice of Nei Gong.
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