Qigong vs. tai chi – what makes one different from the other? You should know that both are mind-body practices that help heal and improve the body and spirit. It is currently being used not just as a method of exercise but also to help people trying to overcome trauma.
At first glance – it’s very easy to confuse Qi gong with Tai chi. Here’s what you should know about each one:
What is Qigong?
Qi Gong (or Qigong) is a very spiritual practice that focuses more on your internal thought process before allowing it to flow outside. Compared to Tai Chi therefore, Qi Gong is more mind-focused rather than body-centered.
This is pretty obvious from the name itself as Qi means “life force” while Gong can be translated to practice or expertise.
The primary purpose of Qigong is to create mindfulness and give you the power and authority to control and direct your life force.
Physically, it can also be a good form of exercise as it engages specific body movements. However, these movements are simply seen as the outward expression of the emotions you feel when tapping into your life force.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is an exercise that was originally developed as a form of martial art training. Today, you’ll find that it is generally used to help with wellness.
Perhaps a more accurate description of the practice is “moving meditation”. This is because the exercise is characterized by slow and deliberate movements that engage not just the mind but also the whole body.
All movements are patterned towards nature and can be done by anyone. This makes it the perfect exercise for people who have limited mobility – such as the elderly.
In fact, many seniors in South East Asia practice Tai Chi as a way to boost their mood and health.
Qigong vs Tai Chi: What’s the Difference?
After reading about the two practices – you’re probably thinking: how is qigong different from Tai Chi? From the definition, you can already tell that Tai Chi focuses on the physical while Qi Gong focuses on the spiritual. However, there’s actually a deeper difference when it comes to actual practice.
Tai Chi is more restrictive when it comes to positions, movements, and balance. After all, Tai Chi is all about martial arts first and foremost. Hence, the balance, footwork, and coordination are all precise and practiced. There is a template and it needs to be followed exactly. Tai chi is more focused on form and the mind simply follows.
Qi Gong is more forgiving – the target is your emotions and the physical movements are just a reflection of those emotions. The movements tend to adapt, depending on the person practicing the technique.
For this reason, athletes or people with injuries tend to prefer Qi Gong because they can make adjustments, depending on the ability of their bodies. Qi gong can be thought of as a movement you do for a certain situation, and thus is open to interpretation.
What Are the Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong?
Whether you practice Tai Chi or Qigong, you’ll find that the two have overlapping benefits. Both Tai Chi and Qigong benefits include better sleep, flexibility, bone strength, muscular strength, and helps improve your breathing.
Qigong helps improve cardiovascular fitness and aids with respiratory problems. Since both techniques encourage movement, they’re also known to help with blood pressure and blood circulation all over the body.
Tai Chi is also associated with better glucose levels among senior practitioners. Some students of Tai Chi even credit it as a great way to minimize falls, which is pretty common for older practitioners. This is because Tai Chi is heavily invested in improving both posture and balance of its practitioner.
When practiced on a routine basic, these disciplines can also improve range of motion, alleviate pain in arthritic joints, back pain and generally increase a person’s immunity.
What’s interesting about the two techniques is that there is a range of motions, depending on what you want to heal or what problems you want to address.
For emotional benefits, you’ll find that both disciplines can help you sleep better at night. If you suffer from insomnia, either will give you a more restful night. It can also help improve your mood and generally give you better energy during the day. For most, the practice of Qi Gong and Tai Chi helps ease their anxiety and depression.
Is Qi Gong Better Than Tai Chi?
Objectively speaking, there is no “better” between the two. Your choice of what is better really depends on what you’re after. For example, what is Qi Gong good for? If you already have a solid workout routine and just want to achieve spiritual growth – then Qi Gong is the better choice for you.
Qi Gong will help you pave the way towards spiritual maturity, and achieve a level of inner peace that few people manage to attain in their lifetime. Choose Qigong if your ultimate goal is spiritual.
However, if what you’re looking for is something that extends to physical benefits – Tai Chi may be your better option. Tai Chi benefits include better posture, strength, breathing, and mobility.
In fact, many seniors use Tai Chi to help maintain good health. The mental and spiritual benefits are just an added advantage. If your goal is to improve your physical health – Tai Chi is your best option.
Qigong vs. Tai Chi: Final Word
So are qigong and tai chi the same? No. These two techniques may seem similar at first glance, but they’re actually widely different. Tai Chi is as different from Qi Gong as it is from Kung Fu or other martial arts. So why is it important to learn those differences?
Well, it’s because your goal may also vary. If the goal is spiritual healing but you take up Tai Chi, then you might not get the results you want. Seeking the help of professionals who know what they’re doing and what makes one different from the other is the first step towards learning.
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Is Qigong a Spiritual Practice? What Can Spiritual Qigong Do for You?
