What is Tai Chi Ch'uan?

The Mandarin term Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi Ch'uan) translates as "Supreme Ultimate Boxing" or "Boundless Fist".  Tai Ji Quan training involves learning solo routines, known as 'sets', and two person routines, known as pushing hands (Tui Shou), as well as acupressure-related manipulations taught by traditional schools.  Historically, Tai Ji Quan has been regarded as a martial art, and many traditional schools and teachers still teach it as one.  Even so, it has developed a worldwide following among many thousands of people with little or no interest in martial training for its aforementioned benefits to health and health maintenance.  Many call it a form of moving meditation.  Tai Ji Quan theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.  Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to the beginning and intermediate levels Tai Ji Quan training, many therapeutic interventions along the lines of traditional Chinese healing methods are taught to advanced Tai Ji Quan students.  The Zhang Mén Tao Gong Fu Association teaches Tai Ji Quan from both the Simplified Yang or Chen styles.

What is Qigong/Neigong?

The words qigong/neigong is a combination of two ideas: qi - which is the vital energy of the body or nei- which is loosely translated as 'inner', and gong - which is the skill of working at accomplishing a goal.  Qigong can be thought of as cultivating 'kinetic energy' while Neigong can be likened to the storing of 'potential energy'.     Qigong/Neigong for health and healing consists primarily of meditation, physical movements, and breathing exercises.  Practitioners develop an awareness of qi or bioelectric flow sensations in their bodies and use their mind (i.e. intention), to guide the qi/bioelectric energy in the body.  The benefits of qigong/neigong are said to extend beyond health and healing to enhance the quality of life in general.  Almost everyone can learn qigong exercises for maintaining health and for self-healing.     The Zhang Family Medical Fist Set combines the foundational aspects of Tai Ji Quan and Zhan Zhuang/pile standing, with elements of the two other Daoist Internal Pillars of BaGuaZhang and Xingyiquan.  This results in a form that can be done twice a day in less than 3 minutes that yields measurable results in just a few months time.  The Zhang Family Medical fist set was developed over a century ago to complement the Zhang Family Gate Way gongfu.     Dr. Yan Xin, a doctor of both Western and Chinese medicine as well as founder of the relatively popular Yan Xin Qigong school, suggests that in order for qigong to be accepted by the modern world it must pass the test of scientific study.  In the mid-1980s he and others began systematic study of qigong in some research institutions in China and U.S.  More than 20 papers have been published.     Qigong/Neigong treatment has been officially recognized as a standard medical technique in Chinese hospitals since 1989.  It has been included in the curriculum of major universities in China and throughout the world.  In the West, many medical practitioners are now offering alternative medical programs which include Qigong and Acupuncture.