THE ART OF MOVEMENT: Tai Chi and Chi Gong – What’s the Difference?

The terms tai chi and chi gong can be confusing, and spelling is just one reason. Chi or life-force energy can be spelled qi, or even ki. Chi gong can be combined and written as one word qigong, and tai chi can be spelled taiji. The two practices have common ancestry, although chi gong is practiced primarily for health while tai chi has its roots in martial arts.

Chi gong practices can include movement, breathing, meditation, sound, self-massage, or focused intention, and thousands of forms have been developed over the millennia. It encourages the smooth flow of energy along meridians, or lines of flow, that are key to the practice of Chinese Medicine.

Tai chi is practiced for health as well, but it can also be used for combat and self-defense. Tai chi generates internal energy and emphasizes controlled movement that requires mindfulness, loosening, and serenity. Its purpose is to generate internal energy and create harmony between the body and mind.

Qi gong is said to be easier to learn than tai chi, because it can only require a few simple movements that are easy to match to any level of physical conditioning. Tai chi on the other hand, features many positions, moves, and stances. Tai chi focuses on strength, health, fitness, posture, and mental focus, while qi gong is much more free form. So there you have it; tai chi and qi gong have some similarities and some differences, but they can easily be combined and enjoyed for their equally powerful health and physical benefits.