The modern western lifestyle, with its continual rushing around, continual noise, exposure to PC’s, TV’s and electronic devices and extended working hours may disrupt the bodies harmony resulting in illness and stress. To combat this people are increasing looking towards alternative health and exercise regimes such as those performed in east. The internal martial arts of Qi Kung (Chi Kung) and Tai Chi are becoming increasingly popular being promoted in Health Clubs and by TV exposure. These health arts, which have been performed for centuries by Chinese, and it is still common to see people in China, young and old, in the parks and open spaces performing these exercises, either through graceful movement or by standing still, before a days work.

The exercises that make up Qi Kung (Chi Kung ) were believed to have originated in China approx 2,000 to 4,000 years ago and were given the name Qi Kung (Chi Kung) in the mid twentieth century. The exercises were originally martial in nature designed to strengthen the body using external energies. Moves were based upon those of animals and were performed with physical intent to move the energy around the body (Doa Yin).  In sixth century CE, the Buddhist Monk BodhiDhama who was staying at the Shaolin Temple near the then Chinese capital of Longyang introduced the breathing techniques of yoga into a series of existing the movements making the exercises internally focused. These exercises were designed to give the monks stamina and strength to allow them to perform their meditation exercises effectively. Over the following centuries these exercises have been used to exercise the body, maintain health and prevent illnesses.

Qi Kung (Chi Kung) can best be described as working with energy. It is a series of gentle exercises comprising  either movement, or stillness combined with skilfully regulated breath to allow energy to circulate around the body, quietly harmonised by a calm, unhurried and clearly focused mind.

The breathing exercises which form Chi Kung, allow full use of the lungs to introduce oxygen into the body where it is processed into nourishment, essence, and energy, chi, for the rest of the body. The physical part of the Chi Kung exercises then open the channels within the body that allow energy and life force in the form of chi, to flow freely energizing and nourishing all parts of the body. The slow soft movements of the exercises prevent stiffness and stagnation that lead to degeneration and death.

The importance of soft flowing movement was noted by Confucius :

“Flowing water never stagnates, and the hinges of an active door never rust. This is due to movement. The same principle applies to essence and energy. If the body does not move, essence does not flow. When essence does not flow, energy stagnates.” (Spring and Autumn Annuals)

Blockages of the energy channels prevent the free movement of chi and result in ill health if not cleared through exercise or other means such as acupressure, acupuncture or medicine.

Tai Chi –the Supreme Ultimate, can be described a series of linked chi kung exercises performed slowly, gently and evenly from the beginning to the end, each posture unfolding with the same continuous rhythm, the Tai Chi Form. Although the moves are martial in origin, a series of punches, blocks, kicks and parries, with the combination of the breath they can be performed as a health exercise. Tai Chi is one of the three internal martial arts, the others being Hsing I, and Pa Kua Chuan and has only been in existence for about 300 to 400 years. Different styles were evolved by Tai Chi Masters and handed down through generations of families (Chan, Yang, Wu, Sun). The linage of teacher back through the various Masters is regarded as very important and assists in giving the art a martial aspect.

Both Chi Kung and Tai Chi have a positive effect of not contributing to ill health, there is no jarring of the knee joints or ankles, no breaking of legs or pulling of ham strings, nothing to fall off of, crash into or get hit by, are therefore some of the safest and most effective systems of physical culture ever devised.

By performing a Tai Chi form rather than Chi Kung exercises, the individual benefits in additional ways.

They have to concentrate, learning the moves in the correct sequence and manner can take up to a year. During the performance of the form, the mind cannot drift to think of other things, making it the ideal moving meditation.

The body performs a continuous series of exercises that over the form will move every part of body in slow controlled fluid movements.

The various channels and meridians of the body are alternately open and closed bring harmony to the body.

The use of slow rhythmical deep breathing energises the lungs and heart increasing the flow of energy, chi, to all parts of the body.

There is a sense of satisfaction and achievement following the successful completion of the exercise.

Chi Kung exercises are most suited for individual practice, whereas Tai Chi is suited to both individual practice, with the practioner working to his or own rhythm and speed, or performing with a group, where there can be a feeling of mutual energy of which the sum is greater than that of the parts. Practicing Tai Chi in a group has the additional benefit of making it a social occasion, something that working out in gym cannot achieve to the same effect.

The basic goals of both Chi Kung and Tai Chi are to:

• Preserve Health

• Cure disease

• Prolong life

• Develop Physical strength and martial powers

• Cultivate spiritual awareness, enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of corporeal existence.

The benefits of both exercises are being recognised by such bodies as the Health Service as an alternative regime to assist in recovery after illness, prevent loss of movement in the elderly, including maintaining physical balance, reducing stress and as a general prevention of ill health. The added advantage to such bodies is that apart from the time of the instructor or therapist, they require no investment in drugs or expensive facilities.

The Chinese believe that by practicing Chi Kung and Tai Chi regularly they achieve good health and longevity and through this they are connecting body, mind and spirit on a common level. In the western world these practices also have the added benefit of reducing stress, physical and mental, and also through the concentration required prevent degeneration of the mental faculties. Practiced in groups it provides a social focus outside of the usual areas of work. These are health exercises that have withstood the test of time, however as there common use is declining amongst the affluent young in the east, there use is becoming more relevant to today’s western society.