Yes. Qigong is simply another spelling for Chi Kung. Both refer to the same Chinese art, and both spellings are pronounced as follows:

chee (rhymes with free)
gung (rhymes with lung)

The word chi means energy. The word kung means cultivation. Thus, Chi Kung is the art of energy cultivation.

Is it like Tai Chi?

No, they are different. Tai Chi is a martial art, and the routines are relatively harder to learn and memorize.

Cosmos Chi Kung is not a martial art. (Those who are interested in martial arts can take my Tai Chi Chuan class.) Cosmos Chi Kung was developed by monks for health, longevity, and mental clarity. Shaolin philosophy strives to be simple, direct, and effective in all things. Why learn a martial art if you are only interested in health? Why learn 20 postures if you only need 3? Why practice for 45 minutes if you only need 10? For many people, Cosmos Chi Kung is a simple, direct, and effective choice.

Is it hard?

No! The exercises are gentle, easy to remember, and a pleasure to practice. With Cosmos Chi Kung, athleticism is absolutely not required. Tangible results, like increased energy, improved concentration, and better sleep, are often noticeable within weeks. Best of all, this style of chi kung only requires 10-15 minutes of daily practice for noticeable results. My students are continually amazed that they can achieve such powerful results with so little effort.

Will I be tired?

No. I guarantee that you’ll leave class with more energy than when you came in. After all, the whole point of Chi Kung is to cultivate energy! Try a class, and I think you'll quickly start to understand the difference between a muscle-based workout and an energy-based workout.

What can it do for me?

This art can really improve your life! It changed mine, and it has changed the lives of thousands of people worldwide. I personally overcome many ailments, and I’ve seen students use it to address a wide range of ailments. Here are just a few examples: anxiety, low-back pain, depression, chronic migraines, chronic shoulder pain, varicose veins, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and menstrual cramps.

Is there any proof?

Yes. There is a growing body of scientific literature pointing to the benefits of chi kung (qigong). The evidence is becoming so convincing that even Prof. Hans-Peter Duerr, the successor and colleague of famous physicist Werner Heisenberg, said: "I am fascinated by these [Yanxin Qigong] research results. They are within my window of acceptance."

More and more, chi kung, tai chi, and meditation are appearing in the news because their range of benefits is undeniable.

How will I know if it's working?

Chi Kung is rooted in the Eastern philosophy that direct personal experience is the best of all evidence. This approach is part science, and part art. Western scientific studies are useful, but they are not always conclusive. Many scientific studies are funded by companies with a vested interest in the results. For example, the tobacco industry spent $220 million over a period of 42 years funding 1,500 scientific studies, yet not a single one of those studies could find a relationship between tobacco and lung cancer!

I believe that direct, personal experience is also scientific. Students are encouraged to practice the art for a reasonable period of time and then judge for themselves whether or not it is working. They are also encouraged to keep a progress chart, which will help them to track their progress in various areas.

How does it work?

When our energy systems are functioning optimally, the ancient Chinese masters described this as a state of harmonious chi flow. In other words, the energy that mobilizes and powers the immune system, produces the proper enzymes for digestion, repairs damaged cells, flushes away toxic waste, and balances the emotions -- all of this energy is flowing harmoniously and thus keeping us happy and healthy. If this harmonious energy flow is blocked, illness or pain occurs. The specialty of Cosmos Chi Kung is to restore harmonious energy flow, thus overcoming illness and pain regardless of the cause. It is also a highly effective method for preventing illness and pain.

How is it related to Kung Fu?

All high-level Kung Fu makes use of the training of energy to develop internal force and mental clarity. Without this, a martial art remains at an external, mechanical level. These are called "Third Class Kung Fu" by Chinese martial artists. "First Class Kung Fu" includes high-level arts like Shaolin Kung Fu, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyinquan.

The internal force developed in high-level kung fu is not dependant on physical strength or size, and does not diminish with age. This is the source of the legendary feats of past masters. More importantly in our modern society, this same internal force can be used in daily living -- to give us more zest and strength for our daily work and play. Kung Fu training that includes Chi Kung enhances harmonious chi flow, thus promoting health, vitality, and longevity.

What is Tai Chi Chuan?

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is a famous martial art from China. The term "Tai Chi" means "Great Ultimate". A more poetic translation, and the one that I prefer, is "The Cosmos". The term "Chuan" means "fist techniques" and refers to what we would typically call Kung Fu.

Thus, one translation of Tai Chi Chuan would be "Cosmos Kung Fu".

Is it the same as Taijiquan?

Yes. "Taijiquan" is just another spelling of the same Chinese term. Actually, "Taijiquan" is more accurate because it is phonetic. Both spellings should be pronounced as follows:

• Tai (rhymes with "bye")
• Ji (pronounced like the letter "G")
• Quan (sounds like "chew on" slurred together )

The "chi" in "Tai Chi Chuan" is different from the "chi" in "Chi Kung". The spelling "ji" is more accurate. Nevertheless, I use the spelling "Tai Chi Chuan" because it is more widely known.

Who created Tai Chi Chuan?

There was no single founder. Tai Chi Chuan developed over many centuries and was influenced by many masters. From historical records, we know that the earliest mention of the term Tai Chi in relation to martial arts was made during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD) in China. The earliest use of the term Tai Chi Chuan was during the Liang Dynasty (907-923 AD).

Zhang San Feng, a Taoist priest from the 13th century, is usually credited as the patriarch of Tai Chi Chuan. He created the comprehensive art that we now call "Tai Chi Chuan". It is interesting to note that Zhan Sang Feng first learned Shaolin Chuan (Shaolin Kung Fu) at the Shaolin Temple. He later modified the Shaolin Chuan that he learned into Wudang Chuan, which evolved into Tai Chi Chuan.

Are there different types of Tai Chi Chuan?

Yes. Different styles of Tai Chi Chuan have developed over the centuries. The oldest known form is Wudang Long Fist, developed by Zhang San Feng (13th century) at the Wudang Mountain. (Please note that Wudang is pronounced like "Wu-Tang".)

Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan evolved from this style. From Chen style, Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872) developed Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. This is the most widely practiced style today. Combining the best of Chen Style and Yang Style, Wu Yu Xiang (1813-1880) developed Wu/Hao Style Tai Chi Chuan. Wu Quanyuo (1834-1902) and his son Wu Jianquan (1870-1942) also co-founded a Wu style after learning directly from the Yang family Sun Lu Tang (1861-1932) combined the best elements of Tai Chi Chuan, Pakua Chang, and Hsing Yi Chuan to create Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan.

My teacher, Grandmaster Wong, combined elements of the Yang, Chen, and Wu styles, as well as internal elements from Shaolin Chuan. We call this style Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan. "Wahnam" is an homage to the names of my teacher's two beloved masters.

What are the benefits?

Tai Chi Chuan masters have categorized the benefits into three levels.

• Good health
• Self-defence
• Spiritual cultivation

Practicing Tai Chi Chuan is an excellent way to promote physical, emotional and mental health. The training is gentle and graceful, and there is no need for special apparatus. Tai Chi Chuan is a very effective martial art, where physical size and mechanical strength are not necessarily winning factors. At the highest level, Tai Chi Chuan leads to mind expansion and spiritual fulfilment.

How does it promote health?

If practiced properly, every movement of Taijiquan is a training of body, energy and mind. Body, energy and mind, known as jing, qi and shen, are the "three treasures" of every person. If any one of these treasures are not in order, he or she becomes sick, leading to physical, functional, or mental illness. While conventional Western medicine separates physical ailments from mental problems, the Chinese approach health care and disease treatment holistically. In Chinese medical philosophy, health and illness belong to the same continuum; health is when the three treasures operate naturally; illness is when one or more of them are out of order. Practicing Tai Chi Chuan enhances the natural operation of body, energy and mind.

I’ve been doing Tai Chi for years. How will this help?

Many students tell me that learning Cosmos Chi Kung helped to bring their Tai Chi Chuan to a new level. Often, students tell me that they’ve heard of the Tai Chi principles, but never experienced them. This class is for those who want to experience, not just intellectualize, what the Tai Chi classics mean by statements like: “energy is rooted in the feet, controlled by the waist, and expressed by the hands and fingers.”

Will it hurt my knees?

If done correctly, Tai Chi Chuan will not cause knee pain. Unfortunately, it is rarely taught correctly. According to a study by Dr. Jay Dunbar done in 1991, 60% of the 216 Tai Chi teachers surveyed reported knee injuries in themselves and their students. In my own teaching over the past 12 years, I have been shocked at the number of people who have reported knee problems from practicing Tai Chi. The opposite should be true -- Tai Chi should heal your knees!