Health Awareness and Disease Prevention
Tai Chi & Chi Kung
or
Tai Ji & Qi Gong
WHAT IS CHI KUNG?
Chi Kung is the study of natural energy flow throughout
the universe but is commonly known as a science of cultivating
internal energy particularly to the human body. Chi Kung
is more appropriately written in Pinyin as Qi Gong and pronounced
chee kung. Pinyin is the accepted standard form of
spelling by the People Republic of China and the United
Nations. Pinyin was introduced in the 1950's and replaced
the old standard known as the Wade-Giles system. These romanized
writting systems were designed as an aid in pronouncing
Chinese characters by Westerners. I personally find the
Pinyin system to be difficult to correctly pronounce by
the general public so I have recently prefered to use the
older alternate spelling system. These variations in spelling
has caused much confusion over time.
| Pinyin |
Alternate Spelling |
Pronunciation |
| Qi Gong |
Chi Kung |
Chee Gong |
| Tai Ji Quan |
Tai Chi Chuan |
Tai Jee Chuen |
| Gong Fu |
Kung Fu |
Gong Foo |
| Qi |
Chi |
Chee |
Chi (more appropriately written as Qi and pronounced -
'Chee') translates into energy or bio-electricity
and Kung means 'time and effort' implying the study of energy.
Chi is considered a vital life force that courses through
specific pathways throughout the body. Yin-Yang theory,
a method of identifying opposing forces and bringing them
into harmonious transition is fundamental to Chi Kung practice.
WHAT IS TAI CHI?
Tai Chi Ch'uan (more appropriately written as Tai Ji Quan
and pronounced - 'Tai Jee Chuen') is a form of Chi
Kung or energy study. Tai Chi Ch'uan translates as Grand
Ultimate Fist - a reference to it's Chinese martial arts
origins. In modern times many people throughout the world
now practice the slow moving and mindful style of Tai Chi
as a stimulating and health benefiting form of exercise.
TAI CHI PROMOTES stress relief, mental tranquility, physical
fitness, correct posture, balance, and coordination and
improves Blood and Chi circulation.
New
Study shows Chi Kung improves students' health and overall
behavior
Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.
April 4, 2007
