[Taiji and Science]

To MOVE Or Not To MOVE

Chun Man Sit

There are two major types of qigong methods:

1) stillness qigong

2)  moving qigong.

Stillness Qigong

Stillness qigong includes sitting qigong and standing qigong. Students hold a certain posture and remain in tha t posture for 10 to 30 minutes or so, without any movement. This is also referred to as standing or sitting meditation.

For example: Embracing the tree is a popular standing gong. Small Heavenly Circle is a famous Daoist sitting gong.

Moving Qigong

Moving gong methods are very popular in China. They are usually simple and easy to learn and they promote physical strength, as well as improving qi.

For example: 8 pieces of brocade and 6 healing sounds method are great for health and healing. They are both easy to learn.

There are also combination qigong methods that include both moving and stillness gong. For example: Golden Bell Cover gong and Taiji neigong 24 are very famous combination qigong methods. 

Opinions From The Masters 

Different qigong masters have different opinions on which types of qigong are best for students to practice. Some experts think moving is better than stillness; other teachers might consider sitting gong  the best, some think students should practicing only standing gong.

To understand why there are so many different opinions, we must look at history.

Simple Facts About Qigong

Before 1930, all qigong practices were kept as secrets. One learned qigong from a master who would only teach a few disciples; and the teaching was always one on one. At that time a student learned one style of qigong from a master. He had no choice of what he could learn. There were no books, no video and no internet. Therefore he had no way to compare different types of gong methods. He simply didn’t know. If a student wanted to learn three different qigongs from three masters, it could take 10 years, plus lots of money and good karma.

Nowadays it is completely different. We can joint a different qigong workshop each month if we wish. And if we go on-line, we can find hundreds of qigong methods posted for our viewing, at no cost. There is no secret and restriction. We can learn as many qigongs as we wish.

As we are over-exposed to so many qigong methods; and also some teachers are over-selling their styles, it has become necessary for students to choose the right teachers and the right methods, should they want a good result from qigong practice.

The Principles of Qigong

The principles of qigong are quite clear and simple:

• Calm and focus the mind; avoid too much thinking.
• Keep correct body structures and relax the body as much as possible.
• Breathe deeply, naturally and slowly.

No matter what method you choose to practice, you should follow these three principles. In the art of qigong, how you practice is more important than what you practice.

Conclusion: To Move or Not To Move

We should practice both moving and stillness qigong. For beginners, first learn a moving gong method. After a month or so, add on either a standing or sitting gong. Please note that Taijiquan is considered a kind of moving gong.

All qigong methods are good for qi, health and spiritual harmony. This is true if students practice correctly. However, different methods can promote slightly different results.

The general ideas are:

• Moving gong methods are good for exercising the body and improving qi.
• Sitting gong methods can also help improve the spiritual aspect, or enlightenment.
• Standing gong methods are great for martial artists seeking power and rooting.

For best result there is a golden rule:

Practice correctly, regularly; and practice a lot.  Miracles can happen if you follow this rule. 

Chun Man Sit

Chun Man Sit was born in the 1950s in southern China, his family moved to Hong Kong when he was six years old. He lived in Hong Kong for twenty years and in 1976, he moved to the United States. Master Sit began his martial arts training in 1969 and has studied and practiced continually for forty years; learning many styles such as Karate, Tai Chi, Qigong and Kungfu. He is the expert on Wu style Taiji, Tai Hui Six Elbows Kungfu, and many Qigong methods, including 6 Healing Sounds, Drifting Cloud Moving Qigong, Nei Gong, Silk-reeling Gong, etc. Master Sit has been a chief judge in many national Tai Chi and Kungfu tournaments in the United States of America for the last 18 years and has taught Tai Chi, Qigong, and Kungfu workshops. His articles appear regularly in Tai Chi and Kungfu magazines and he is currently writing a book on Tai Chi. Master Sit and his wife Mary Ann, live in Overland Park, Kansas.