Tai-Chi And Qigong; 5 Major Differences Between

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Tai-Chi also called Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese tradition practiced as a graceful form of exercise. This is a non-competitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching, whereby each style flows into the other without a pause while ensuring that your body maintains a constant motion.

Qigong, on the other hand, is a form of gentle exercise composed of repeated movements meant to increase fluid movements in the body and to build awareness of how the body moves through space. These two definitions of Tai Chi and Qigong are more or less the same, but the fact remains that the two practices operate on different principles.

Tai-Chi And Qigong; 5 Major Differences Between

Here are the five major differences between these two practices you should know;

Tai Chi is A Martial-Art While Qigong Is Purely For Healing Technique

One of the notable differences between the two is the fact that Qigong has specific techniques that are particularly effective in treating specific health conditions. In China, for instance, Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong are purely meant for healing purposes.

While the practice of Tai, on the other hand, is popularly known for its practical martial arts techniques. However, we should also appreciate the fact that the practice of Tai can also effectively maintain health.

Both Have Somewhat Different Movements

The other difference between the two is that they both have an exceptionally big range of different movements, whereby, each requires different kinds of physical coordination. Therefore, despite the fact that these two movements are done in slow motion, this doesn’t make the two physical exercises the same.

For instance, the slow-motion movements two practices are different because of the different primary methods that each practice specializes in.

The latter involves, standing with either your arms by your side or in all kinds of positions and many more other techniques but contrary to qigong, the same standing, sitting and lying techniques in Tai Chi are ancillary to the primary technique of slow-motion movement.

Both May Work With Chi-Energy Differently

The main primary goal of both Tai Chi and Qigong is to specifically promote a balanced flow of chi in the human body. But the difference is how the specific exercise works.

For instance, Tai Chi is based upon the potential to fully incorporate all 16 parts of the neigong system in every movement, but qigong, on the other hand, tends to partially utilize some but not all the 16 neigong components in any specific movement.

Qigong Is Somewhat More Adaptive Than Tai-Chi

According to some people, Tai Chi is simply a form of qigong, or in other words, qigong is Tai Chi’s parent. Trying to prove the validity of this statement is a bit confusing but the fact remains that both are different things based on their basic principles.

The only problem between the two forms of physical exercises is the fact that qigong is more adaptive as it is free-form. Thus, anyone can adapt to their simple styles and moves based on their physical ability. Hence, this is the reason why qigong is more popular than Tai.

Tai-Chi Focuses More On The Form

As a form of exercise, Tai Chi requires much discipline while qigong, on the other hand, is a free-form practice. These are the five basic differences between the two you must be aware of. This will help you get a clear difference between these practices. However, you should also keep in mind that differentiating the two is a bit more complex because different people have different opinions on the same matter.