Chinese Qigong is rich in content and diverse in types. It can be briefly categorized based on methods, forms, content, purposes, and origins.
1. Categorized by Practice Posture
1. Standing Qigong: This practice is performed in a standing position, also known as Zhan Zhuang. Standing Qigong is effective in increasing Qi strength, strengthening the body, activating true Qi, and improving overall health. An ancient saying states:“To cleanse the marrow, one must start with standing practice”. Many Qigong methods consider standing postures as fundamental practices, such as Xiao Ma Bu Zhuang, Chuan Shui Zhuang, Luo Han Zhuang, and Bai Fo Zhuang.
2. Sitting Qigong: This practice is performed in a seated position and is an important method for practicing tranquility and circulating Qi. This method easily activates true Qi without dispersing it. The sitting posture generally includes three types: sitting on a chair or stool, cross-legged sitting, and kneeling sitting. Cross-legged sitting can be further divided into three types: San Pan (natural cross-legged), Dan Pan (one foot against the perineum and the other on the opposite thigh), and Shuang Pan (both feet resting on the thighs, commonly referred to as “Five Hearts Facing Heaven”).
3. Lying Qigong: This practice is performed in a lying position, which can be supine or lateral. Its effects are similar to sitting Qigong, but the activation of true Qi is slightly slower. For patients with limited mobility, lying Qigong is the only feasible method. For general practitioners, lying Qigong is used as an auxiliary practice before sleep or after waking.
2. Categorized by Movement and Stillness
1. Still Qigong: This practice involves no physical movement, using postures such as sitting, standing, or lying, employing techniques like intention focus, visualization, and breathing exercises.
2. Moving Qigong: This practice focuses on body adjustment and guiding movements of the whole body and limbs. Through various movements, it cultivates internal Qi and strengthens the muscles and bones, achieving the goal of enhancing bone strength and unifying spirit and Qi. Moving Qigong can be categorized into routine movements and spontaneous movements; the former consists of learned, prescribed actions, while the latter involves naturally occurring, personalized movements.
3. Combination of Movement and Stillness: This practice incorporates both physical movements and characteristics of stillness, requiring external movement and internal stillness, transitioning from movement to stillness. Examples include Da Mo Yi Jin Jing, Emei Twelve Postures, and Intelligent Moving Qigong.
3. Categorized by Content of Practice
1. Nature Qigong: This refers to the activities of the heart and spirit. Nature Qigong primarily focuses on refining the spirit, fully concentrating on mental activities, which also includes the cultivation of moral character and emotional refinement. Zen practices in Buddhism, such as the method of “replacing one thought with thousands,” fall under this category.
2. Life Qigong: “Life” refers to the essence of the kidneys and the physical body. Life Qigong focuses on strengthening the body’s essence and Qi, starting from refining essence to transform Qi, refining Qi to transform spirit, and refining spirit to return to the void. Methods like Zhou Tian Gong and Strengthening Qigong belong to this category.
3. Dual Cultivation of Nature and Life Qigong: “Nature” and “Life” are two interrelated and interdependent aspects of human life. Each practice method is a cultivation of both aspects, differing only in emphasis. The methods of dual cultivation vary by school, with some emphasizing nature cultivation first, followed by life cultivation, while others do the opposite. Some begin with refining the spirit for nature and then refining the essence for life, achieving dual cultivation.
4. Categorized by the Effects of Qi Cultivation
1. Disease Prevention and Treatment Qigong: The primary function of Qigong is to treat diseases, meaning that every type of Qigong has a role in disease prevention and treatment. Some methods are specifically designed for treating diseases, and those with significant therapeutic effects are referred to as disease prevention and treatment Qigong, such as Zeng Shi Gong and Qiang Shen Hua Zhuo Gong.
2. Strengthening Qigong: This refers to practices primarily aimed at strengthening the body. Through practice, it cultivates true Qi, ensuring that the organs, meridians, skin, muscles, and bones are abundant in true Qi, promoting smooth circulation and enhancing the functions of various body parts. Examples include Zhan Zhuang Gong, Shaolin Nei Jin Yi Zhi Chan, and Hard Qigong.
3. Intelligent Qigong: This refers to practices that excel in developing normal and extraordinary intelligence. Many traditional practices in China have this effect.
5. Categorized by the Origins of Qigong
1. Medical Qigong: This is closely linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, with detailed observations of the Qi transformations in the body’s meridians and organs. The purpose is to prolong life and eliminate diseases, exploring the mysteries of human life, and is an important method in TCM health preservation and rehabilitation, such as Liu Zi Jue and New Qigong Therapy.
2. Daoist Qigong: Daoist Qigong aims for “preserving nature and achieving true essence” and “longevity and vision,” with a wide variety of methods. Its techniques include guiding breath, alchemical practices, fetal breathing, and dual cultivation of nature and life, which hold significant importance in traditional Qigong practices in China.
3. Confucian Qigong: This emphasizes the cultivation and training of the heart and spirit, focusing on “nurturing the heart and cultivating nature,” advocating for the refinement of will and sincerity in daily life to cultivate a vast and righteous Qi, seeking “clarity and understanding,” and promoting methods of stillness and nurturing the body and Qi.
4. Buddhist Qigong: The purpose of Buddhist Qigong is to “cut off delusions and realize the truth” and “mysteriously connect with Buddha nature.” The main practices involve Zen meditation and “seeing the nature of the mind.” Due to the many sects in Buddhism, there are many differences in methods, such as “Zen meditation,” “Six Wonderful Methods,” and “Stopping and Observing.”
5. Martial Arts Qigong: Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the combination of martial arts and Qigong has formed a practice that integrates combat and health preservation. Schools such as Wudang, Shaolin, Emei, Kunlun, and Nanguang advocate for dual cultivation of movement and stillness, balancing internal and external practices. The popular hard Qigong today is a function of martial arts Qigong.
(Source: Zhang Wenchun, Doctoral Dissertation from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, “Theoretical Research on Qigong Practice Based on the Trinity of Form, Qi, and Spirit”)
Source: Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Qigong Science Research Institute
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