Tai Chi is the most subtle and sophisticated form of Qi Gong.
The Tai Chi Classics (the written wisdom developed over hundreds of years) give us a specific chain of command: the mind leads the energy and the energy leads the body.
The work beyond the physical is what makes Tai Chi special.
“Tai Chi hinges entirely upon the player’s consciousness, rather than upon external, physical force.” (from the Tai Chi Classics)
The chief technique of Tai Chi is to nurture the heart/mind and qi (vital energy) together in the tan t’ien (energy cultivation field). (from “Thirteen Treatises” by Cheng Man-ch’ing)
We all need exercise and we also need correct breathing, positive, mental concentrations and harmonious alignment with the laws of nature.
Tai Chi combines a well-proven, gentle, physical exercise with your mental and energetic powers, thus making it an efficient and effective endeavor.
Learning the physical form (aka “the alphabet”) is important, but only the beginning.
Without the essential, mental and energy work (aka Qi Gong), the student remains in kindergarten.
(Note that there are also some types of Qi Gong that do not involve Tai Chi
and some Tai Chi schools that do not include Qi Gong.)
