Tai Chi or Qi Gong?

[Kinson]

Four questions regarding Tai Chi and Qi Gong:

What are the most notable differences between Tai Chi and Qi Gong?

Which style would you suggest as a compliment to karate (washin-ryu)?

Is either really more "combat" oriented than the other?

Does one develop ki better than the other?

[Threads of Fate]

Qigong focuses more on breathing exercises, while Taiji incorporates minor breathing and some other aspects and exercises of Qi building.

As for a compliment.....I'm not quite sure because I'm not familiar with your art so I can't say. And "combat" orientated, Taiji would probably be that way since it focuses on body mechanics and such, along with many other things.

As stated in the above, they both have their main points they focus on.

[dtstiachi]

I think of Chi Kung not as a martail art, but as excercizes to help build up my chi lfow and internal energy, (some people use it as a martail art, but I use the excersizes for their chi increasing ability). Tai Chi is a martial art form that also focuses on MAJOR breathing and the slow dance like form that has great martial capabilities. I would (and do) train in both. Chi Kung for internal power and Tai Chi for health/ self defense/ and excersize.

[McNerny]

Howdy,

Tai Chi and Chi Kung are both alike and different. They both focus on development of chi and jing (essence). I would say Tai Chi is more combat oriented. The Yang form in Tai Chi has many applicable movements for combat situations. Chi Kung, however, has excercises to build internal strength that would benefit you for combat, but it in itself really isn't used for fighting. Hope this helps.

Cheers.

[fallen_milkman]

Chi gung is not a martial art, but a component of most Chinese martial arts. It may be a part of other MAs, but I don't know any for sure. Tai Chi Chuan, on the other hand, IS a martial art in and of itself and uses its own chi gung exercises. So basically, if you take Tai Chi to compliment your karate (could be a nice compliment, adding an internal style to your previous external), you will be getting chi gung with it.

[dtstiachi]

correct fallen milkman

[Sam]

similar in a way to XMA - not in the flipping sense, just in the sense it is something that can be added on to your training in a martial art..... if its what ur interested in

[nanfeishen]

I hope this may help!

Qi Gong is often but not always geared more towards developing and cultivating Qi from the point of view of health, well being and preventative measures towards fighting off illness, or recovery from illness, as well as to strengthen the body internally and externally.

Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art, that in the practice of, you develop Qi to strengthen and enhance the body internally as well as externally, and learn how to put it to practical use in the martial sense.

They both allow you to develop and cultivate Qi within the body, just from different directions.

Either one would compliment your training from a Qi point of view, the Tai Chi Chuan may compliment it a little more being a Martial Art.

Consider either one as a balance to your Karate, Yin and Yang.

Cheers!

[fallen_milkman]

Well, close enough for government work. But there is a LOT more to Tai Chi than martial art. For certain folk, it is more like a religious practise. Meditation in motion. Pretty complicated, but if there is enough interest I could go into what I know of it. Just don't feel like typing it all out if I'm speaking to no one that cares.

[Kinson]

What about the health benefits of Chi Kung as opposed to the health benefits of Tai Chi? How do they stack up?