TAI CHI AND QIGONG: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? |
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Although both Tai Chi and Qigong practices are Chinese in origin, and promote good posture, deep breathing and energy, they differ in some important aspects.
Both practises work on developing energy in the body - both in terms of efficient breathing, efficient posture and efficient movement. Tai Chi, however, differs from Qigong in that the moves also have an "application". This can be martial or it can be philosophical. read this article on Tai Chi as a way fo converting thought to action to more fully explore this idea.
The relative simplicity of the moves in Qigong make the practice easier for beginners to learn, whereas the moves in tai Chi may take years before even the fundamentals are acquired. Read more on learning Tai Chi. Tai Chi demands a lot in terms of co-ordination, balance, tensile strength and even a good sense of direction. Many beginners find it challenging to perform in a group with many sudden and dramatic directional changes. For all these reasons Qi Gong has become popular in recent years.
The relative simplicity of the moves in Qigong make the practice easier for beginners to learn, whereas the moves in tai Chi may take years before even the fundamentals are acquired. Read more on learning Tai Chi. Tai Chi demands a lot in terms of co-ordination, balance, tensile strength and even a good sense of direction. Many beginners find it challenging to perform in a group with many sudden and dramatic directional changes. For all these reasons Qi Gong has become popular in recent years.
Qigong or Tai Chi - which is better?
If you ask a teacher which is "better" - they often (unsurprisingly) promote the one they are teaching. The answer however, depends, as in many things, as to what you are looking for. If what you are looking for is an all round healthy exercise that offers additional long terms benefits in movement as well as standing, that offer deep applications and philosophical levels, then Tai Chi may be be better.
If however it is an energy boost you want, and you are looking for moves that are simple and repetitive and that can be done with minimum movement - or even seated if need be - then Qigong may be your answer.
If however it is an energy boost you want, and you are looking for moves that are simple and repetitive and that can be done with minimum movement - or even seated if need be - then Qigong may be your answer.
