What Is Tai Chi?
I started learning Tai Chi back in 1978 (approximately 48 years ago).
Tai Chi is a very ancient Chinese martial arts technique which evolved from an aggressive method (like most martial arts) into a passive tradition which retained the same "muscle memory" building martial arts moves but without the broken bones.
"Tai Chi Chuan" translates to supreme ultimate fist and while it utilizes fundamental QiGong principles, it is different by channeling the Chi Energy into passive striking, blocking, and grappling movements.
I was taught that when I could visualize a "ball of light" (Chi) in my hands and move this ball of light in and around my body, that then I would begin to get a first sense of Tai Chi.
My teacher told me that his teacher spent years learning how to perfect the art of not letting a bird fly from out of his open hand.
He said that one of the ancient masters could do this and it was a sign of Chi mastery.
Sometimes Tai Chi is described as "meditation in motion," because it combines the slow, passive, flowing movements with deep focused breathing.
I was taught to place a balloon resting on my hand and I had to perform the "Katas" (形 Japanese for "form") without letting the balloon fall.
Because Tai Chi is is low-impact, it suitable for all ages, from small children to the elderly and for the very old, there are even Tai Chi exercises which may be done sitting down.
Apart from the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi, it also helps you learn how to harness what is referred to as "Sky Energy" and "Earth Energy" and utilize these 2 forces into helping you become more healthier.
Hot And Cold ↟↟
I have used Tai Chi to increase my 
I got to the stage that when it was cold, I would automatically "Flame On" (quote from the Fantastic 4) and the cold would go away.
I could also turn this off just by thinking about it and when I used to do the "empathy homeless nights" - where we would sleep "outside" or without blankets etc in the middle of winter, as a way to bring attention to the plight of the homeless, I would literally disable this function and freeze all night.
Observation
When I moved to Northern Japan (the land of ice and snow), I would quite comfortably walk around in a Tee-Shirt (plus pants) in winter when the temperature was even down to minus 12 C (10F).
In 2023 I died (twice) and one of the side effects I have noticed is that my "Chi" literally vanished.
This may be associated with the brain damage I suffered and I suspect that the part of my brain which controlled this function was damaged beyond repair. But I shall persist in trying to rebuild my Chi.
I rebuilt most of my brain after the doctors told me that I would be the village idiot for the rest of my life so my prognosis is looking better every day.
I did this by taking herbs and minerals to stimulate the
I must also point out that (for me) Fasting has been quite problematic due to my brain injuries, and the most I have been able to do is 6 days at a time. (so far - circa JAN 2026)
In the time since 2023 (more like early 2024), I have been working on reviving my Chi but it does not appear to be anywhere near as strong as it used to be.
While it is slowly improving, it is slightly annoying having to get so cold. That is my complaint for the day. 
Note
My "Chi" is returning slowly but not yet at the level it once was.
I realized that there was a problem so I decided that I would only exercise a few days a month and focus on other "things".
After more than 1 year, I have noticed that my Chi is getting stronger and I am slowly starting to be "warmer" again.
The reason that I only do a few days a month and less than 10 minutes a day is because I have high expectations of myself and I do not want to feel any disappointments - even on a subconscious level - so I just take it easy.
Losing a big chunk of my vocabulary, having trouble remembering words, 80% + loss of eyesight, being unable to focus for longer than a few minutes plus other impediments is quite debilitating and as my wife kept telling me, "Take it easy". I am lucky that I had a big chunk of this website started before the accident.
And I am finally starting to see results.
Soon I will be able to write and add over 130 other pages to this site.
So if you go through a similar experience, please persist and be "gentle" on yourself OK.
TIP
If you have a partner you may like to consider practicing something like
Organ Harvesting ↟↟
One of the main reasons that Falun Gong (Dafa) disciples were targeted for "organ harvesting" by the CCP was because they were reported to have healthier bodies and thus they made better body part donors than normal other people.
People who go to China for body parts replacements should be charged with murder when they return home. (IMO)
What Is QiGong
QiGong is very similar to Tai Chi but the way it was explained to me was that QiGong is much more visual intense.
Think of Tai Chi as a passive martial art that incorporates meditative movement, (moving meditation if you like) while QiGong is a broad wellness system focused entirely on cultivating and balancing your vital life force energy.
QiGong involves deep focused breathing techniques, dynamic physical movements and specific static postures (usually associated with intense visualizations).
TaiChi requires a series of "forms" or structured movements - both physical and mental - while QiGong is more adaptable, and usually done in repetitive, isolated sets like repeating one movement for several minutes or longer with a specific purpose in mind.
QiGong is not just 1 style or method, in fact it incorporates many different techniques under the QiGong umbrella.
Some of these (or variations thereof) are meditative, passive (like Tai Chi), physical martial arts focused and even spiritually focused.
Like Tai Chi there are many associated health benefits, especially for the elderly.
One problem I have noticed - especially with younger people - and that is they tend to try and go faster than they should.
Learning TaiChi is a more protracted experience as you have to learn the movements and see how they blend together while QiGong is usually faster to learn (with the right focus) because it does not require these strict "movements".
Both Tai Chi and QiGong should be started in passive mode. The benefits are not in breaking bricks or wood, but in the control of the energy in your body and it is this energy control which allows you the potential to do advanced meditation techniques like
QiGong movements are a lot more simpler and repetitive than Tai Chi so be aware of that before you start.
While you do require good visualization skill for both Tai Chi and QiGong, you will definitely use then more with QiGong.
Meditation Benefits
One of the silent benefits with both Tai Chi and QiGong is how both of them can help you with your meditation. Especially if you are doing 2 or more hours of meditation per session.
They both give you the ability to utilize your Chi energy to control your mind and body which is important if you are seeking higher levels such as the
Learning Tai Chi And QiGong
While many people learn Tai Chi and QiGong from books, it is important to note that you should also study under a good teacher.
Ideally, try and buy a book with a DVD included or even a DVD set so that you can see what the teacher is actually talking about.
This is because a good teacher can help you get started activating your Chi (as my teacher did for me) and they can help when you get the run-away-train feeling when your Chi goes too quickly and you start feeling "strange" or overheating (hyperthermia).
This overheating happened to another one of the students in my (advanced) class and he was lucky that it happened IN the class.
The teacher did some hand movements and the guy became still and calm again.
Books
Both Tai Chi and QiGong should be practiced for at least 30 + minutes a day and they are great exercises to start your day.
Be very wary of BS books and teachers who tell you that you can do Tai Chi or QiGong in a few minutes a day. This is pure fantasy and a lie.
Make a commitment.
If you do not make a commitment to doing this for at least 30 minutes a day, you will quickly lose interest when nothing happens after a month or 2 and sadly, you will then miss out on so many benefits, health and spiritually.
Tai Chi Books ↟↟
QiGong Books +
Please email a friend
