In daily practice activities, we often encounter some practitioners who cannot distinguish the difference between Qigong Vs Tai Chi , and confuse the two. As a result, they cannot get good fitness results, and even experience physical discomfort or deviation. For this reason, it is necessary to clarify the respective functions and characteristics of Qigong and Tai Chi so that the people can master and use Qigong and Tai Chi . Tai Chi is a sport for the purpose of fighting, while Qigong is a fitness skill to stimulate the potential of the human body. The former is traditional martial arts, and the latter is traditional medical fitness and internal cultivation. Each has its own system theory. Qigong is divided into two categories based on the body shape: static exercises (standing, sitting, and lying without moving the limbs) and dynamic exercises (coordinating with limb movements). In operation, it is inseparable from the three adjustments: adjusting the body (adjustment of the body), adjusting the breath (adjustment of breathing), and adjusting the mind (adjustment of thoughts). It is indispensable. It enables the human body and mind to achieve self-adjustment and balance, thereby stimulating the potential of the human body, achieving the purpose of fitness, disease treatment, and longevity. Advanced special abilities will appear “many magical functions such as air distribution, internal and external vision, remote viewing, prediction, etc.”
Tai Chi is a sport with a strong sense of combat. It consists of many contents such as frame, single exercise, pushing hands, sparring, free fighting, weapons, etc. Tai Chi explores the practical aspects of throwing, hitting and grabbing, and in the breakthrough of high-level combat skills, it rationally uses human thoughts and breathing to serve combat skills, which has far-reaching significance in leading and strengthening combat skills. It is a great leap in the history of the development of Chinese martial arts. Wu Yuxiang said in Tai Chi Boxing Manual: Although the body moves, the mind is precious to be quiet; the qi must be restrained and should be quiet. The heart is the command, the qi is the flag, the spirit is the commander, and the body is the body. Only by paying attention can you gain it. First in the heart, then in the body. Those who are in the body are unaware of the dancing of the hands and feet, so-called “one breath”, “sacrifice oneself to follow others”, “lead into the empty space”, “four ounces to pull a thousand pounds”. Huang Baijia said in the book “Internal Martial Arts” that Tai Chi “is mainly used to defend against the enemy”. As the saying goes, “Taijiquan can bring peace to the world, and Bajiquan can bring order to the world.” (Bajiquan is a fierce boxing technique in the north) This shows that Taijiquan is a martial art that has spread throughout the world.

Tai Chi uses the mind to coordinate the boxing movements. The fundamental purpose is to achieve the effect of fighting. At the same time, it overcomes the harm of boxing. Tai Chi also objectively has the function of curing diseases and prolonging life. Tai Chi is a perfect boxing technique that is good for internal fitness and external fighting.
Chinese martial arts have their own unique theories, regulations and norms. Like dance and gymnastics, they generally have their own rich content, and Tai Chi is even more so in terms of rules. It is impossible to think that Tai Chi is Qigong because it has a fitness aspect. This point cannot be ambiguous. Don’t dance and gymnastics have fitness? They also pay attention to: “relaxation of the body”, “breathing requirements” and “use of the mind”. As for some Qigong names that contain the word Tai Chi or the Tai Chi system is compiled into Qigong, there are also dynamic exercises that are similar to the moves and postures in Tai Chi, and those with the same names, it cannot be said that Tai Chi is Qigong, but rather that the fitness aspect of Tai Chi is used to serve the actual health needs of the human body. In actual exercise, Tai Chi is very different from Qigong in operation. (1) In order to achieve the effects of Qigong, different Qigong methods have different body movements. Generally speaking, there are no special requirements or rules for movement, except that it is forbidden to move too much. In addition to following the standard procedures, Tai Chi also requires relaxation, stability, slowness, evenness, clear distinction between the real and the fake, and the feet and hands. It is strictly forbidden to bend forward or backward, rise and fall, or twist the upper body. There must be a target in the opening and closing of the martial arts. (2) Tai Chi loosens each joint and penetrates each joint to achieve the internal strength of the fake and the fake under the feet. The muscles and tendons of the whole body are in a continuous cycle between relaxation and tension. In Qigong, relaxation is carried out throughout the whole process, and it is not allowed to be slightly tight at any time or place. (3) Qigong requires “three adjustments” to enter the Qigong state and stimulate potential. Tai Chi movements are coordinated with the mind, breathing, relaxation, and comfort. The anus is lifted and the belly is lifted, the waist is relaxed and the hips are lowered. There is no push or loss, and the lead is missed. It is practiced for martial arts and fitness. (4) Qigong enters the state of “harmony between man and nature” in selflessness, until the highest state of “emptiness”, while Tai Chi always concentrates on the boxing, trying to figure out the overall boxing movement and the use of the power path. (5) Qigong can stimulate high-level special functions, while Tai Chi focuses on fighting and fitness. (6) Tai Chi strictly follows the boxing rules, and is fun and playful. Qigong is practiced with ease and seriousness through the “three adjustments”, without worry or joy.

(7) Qigong practitioners can get Qi quickly and feel the tendons and meridians being unblocked. Taijiquan requires a longer time and requires gradual mastery of the opening and closing movements before one can feel the Qi sinking into the Dantian. Each has its own characteristics in treating different diseases and keeping fit. For example, severe hypertension, heart disease, and bedridden patients are only suitable for Qigong rest. Neurological dysfunction is best treated with Taijiquan. (8) People who are well-trained in Qigong eat less (only one to two taels per meal or no food) and sleep less (only about four hours a day or less). They can reach the high Qigong realm of “avoiding hunger” and “retreat”, stimulate potential, and benefit the whole family. They are moderately fat or thin, sincere and kind, do not fight with the world, and have a broad mind. People who are well-trained in Taijiquan have a normal appetite and a good appetite, sleep normally and sweetly, and have internal strength everywhere in their bodies. They have a unique understanding of all aspects of martial arts such as frame, single exercise, sparring, pushing hands, free fighting, throwing, hitting, grabbing, and weapons. They benefit themselves, have a healthy body, are not fat or thin, have sharp ears and eyes, and have a cheerful personality.

It is undoubtedly good for health to practice Tai Chi boxing alone. For those who practice for a long time, their palms turn red, their qi and blood are unblocked, and they have different degrees of curative effect on many diseases. Therefore, it is too one-sided to regard Tai Chi boxing as Qigong. Because the practice of Tai Chi boxing and single exercises are only the basic skills of boxing, a lot of boxing content has not been touched, and the functions and effects of Tai Chi boxing cannot be fully displayed. Quoting Mr. Chen Weiming’s book “Tai Chi Boxing Answers” sixty years ago, “I asked if Tai Chi boxing can replace meditation? The answer is of course it can’t. It is difficult to get rid of distracting thoughts when sitting in meditation, but Tai Chi boxing can eliminate distracting thoughts by focusing on the spirit.” Among the numerous Tai Chi boxing manuals, boxing books, and oral teachings of senior boxers, the closest statement about Tai Chi boxing and Qigong is this paragraph. The author believes that this paragraph shows that Tai Chi boxing is both a fighting skill and a fitness exercise, which does not mean that Tai Chi boxing and Qigong can be equated.