Martial Arts and Energy Work: Qi Gong and Tai Chi

BY NICOLE LAU

In the West, we think of martial arts as fighting techniques—punches, kicks, blocks, self-defense. We focus on the external: speed, power, technique, winning. But the deepest martial arts traditions understand something we've forgotten: true martial power comes not from muscle, but from chi. Not from force, but from flow. Not from aggression, but from alignment with universal energy.

Qi Gong (pronounced "chee gong") and Tai Chi are ancient Chinese practices that cultivate, circulate, and direct life force energy through the body. They are martial arts, yes—but they are also energy medicine, moving meditation, and spiritual practice. They teach you to feel and work with the invisible force that animates all life, to become a channel for universal energy, and to move with the power of water rather than the rigidity of stone.

This is the first article in the specific movement practices section of our Movement + Magic series. We begin with Qi Gong and Tai Chi because they are the foundation of energy work through movement—practices that make the invisible visible, that teach you to feel what you cannot see, and that transform your body into a conscious instrument of chi cultivation.

Understanding Chi/Qi Energy

What Is Chi?

Chi (Qi): Life force energy, vital energy, the animating force of the universe

In Chinese medicine:

• Chi flows through meridians (energy channels) in the body
• When chi flows freely, you experience health and vitality
• When chi is blocked or deficient, you experience illness and fatigue
• Acupuncture, herbs, and Qi Gong all work to balance chi

In martial arts:

• Chi is the source of true power
• External strength (muscle) is limited
• Internal strength (chi) is unlimited
• Masters can generate tremendous force through chi, not muscle

In spiritual practice:

• Chi is the bridge between body and spirit
• Cultivating chi refines your energy body
• Strong chi supports spiritual development
• Chi connects you to universal life force

The Three Treasures (San Bao)

In Taoist philosophy, there are three fundamental energies:

1. Jing (Essence):

• Physical vitality, sexual energy, constitutional strength
• Stored in the kidneys
• Finite—you're born with a certain amount
• Can be preserved through practice

2. Qi (Energy):

• Life force, vital energy, breath
• Circulates through meridians
• Can be cultivated and increased
• Transforms jing into shen

3. Shen (Spirit):

• Consciousness, awareness, spiritual energy
• Resides in the heart
• Refined through meditation and chi cultivation
• Connection to the divine

The practice: Preserve jing, cultivate qi, refine shen. This is the path of internal alchemy.

Qi Gong: Cultivating Life Force

What Is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong (氣功): "Energy work" or "life force cultivation"

Definition: A system of coordinated body postures, movements, breathing, and meditation used to cultivate and balance chi

History:

• Over 4,000 years old
• Developed by Taoist monks, Buddhist practitioners, and martial artists
• Thousands of different styles and forms
• Used for health, martial power, and spiritual development

Types of Qi Gong:

• Medical Qi Gong: For healing and health
• Martial Qi Gong: For developing internal power
• Spiritual Qi Gong: For enlightenment and spiritual growth

How Qi Gong Works

The three regulations:

1. Regulate the body (Tiao Shen):

• Proper posture and alignment
• Relaxation of muscles and joints
• Rooting and grounding
• This creates the vessel for chi

2. Regulate the breath (Tiao Xi):

• Deep, slow, abdominal breathing
• Breath guides chi through the body
• Specific breathing patterns for different effects
• Breath is the vehicle for chi

3. Regulate the mind (Tiao Xin):

• Focused intention and visualization
• Yi (mind-intention) leads chi
• "Where the mind goes, chi follows"
• Mental focus directs energy

When all three are aligned: Chi flows freely, powerfully, and can be directed consciously.

Basic Qi Gong Practice: Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)

The foundation of all Qi Gong:

The posture:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, parallel
2. Knees slightly bent (never locked)
3. Pelvis tucked slightly, tailbone down
4. Spine straight, crown of head lifting toward sky
5. Shoulders relaxed, arms rounded as if hugging a tree
6. Hands at lower dan tian level (below navel)
7. Tongue touching roof of mouth (connects energy channels)
8. Eyes soft-focused or closed

The practice:

1. Stand in this posture for 5-20 minutes (build up gradually)
2. Breathe deeply into lower abdomen
3. Relax completely while maintaining structure
4. Feel chi gathering in the dan tian (energy center below navel)
5. Notice sensations: warmth, tingling, pulsing, expansion
6. These are signs of chi activation

Benefits:

• Builds internal power and chi
• Strengthens legs and core
• Calms mind and nervous system
• Grounds and centers energy
• Foundation for all other Qi Gong practices

The Microcosmic Orbit

A fundamental Qi Gong meditation for circulating chi:

The two main channels:

• Governing Vessel (Du Mai): Runs up the back of the body from perineum to crown
• Conception Vessel (Ren Mai): Runs down the front of the body from crown to perineum
• Together they form a circuit—the Microcosmic Orbit

The practice:

1. Sit or stand in meditation posture
2. Breathe into lower dan tian until you feel warmth/energy
3. On inhale: Guide chi down from dan tian to perineum, then up the spine to crown
4. On exhale: Guide chi down the front of the body from crown to dan tian
5. Continue circulating for 10-20 minutes
6. Use visualization and intention to guide the chi
7. Eventually, chi will flow on its own

Benefits:

• Clears blockages in main energy channels
• Balances yin and yang
• Increases vitality and health
• Foundation for advanced energy practices

Tai Chi: Meditation in Motion

What Is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳): "Supreme Ultimate Fist" or "Grand Ultimate Boxing"

Definition: A Chinese martial art practiced for health, meditation, and self-defense, characterized by slow, flowing movements

History:

• Developed in 13th-17th century China
• Combines martial arts, Taoist philosophy, and Qi Gong
• Multiple styles: Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, etc.
• Originally a martial art, now practiced mainly for health

Principles:

• Softness overcomes hardness: Like water wearing away stone
• Yielding overcomes force: Redirect rather than resist
• Slow is fast: Slow practice develops true speed
• Internal over external: Chi power over muscle power
• Yin and yang balance: Every movement contains both

How Tai Chi Cultivates Chi

Through movement:

• Slow, continuous movement pumps chi through meridians
• Like a slow-motion pump, circulating energy
• Each posture opens specific energy channels
• Transitions between postures move chi

Through breath:

• Deep abdominal breathing throughout
• Breath synchronized with movement
• Inhale on opening/rising movements
• Exhale on closing/sinking movements

Through intention:

• Mind leads chi, chi leads body
• Visualize energy flowing with each movement
• Internal focus, not external performance
• Meditation in motion

Through relaxation:

• Sung (松): Deep relaxation while maintaining structure
• Tension blocks chi—relaxation allows flow
• Soft on outside, strong on inside
• This is the secret of internal power

Basic Tai Chi Principles for Beginners

1. Root and ground:

• Feel connection to earth through feet
• Weight sinks down, energy rises up
• Stable base, mobile upper body

2. Move from the center:

• All movement originates from dan tian (lower abdomen)
• Waist turns, body follows
• Arms are moved by the body, not by themselves

3. Continuous flow:

• No stopping, no jerking
• Like a river flowing
• One movement flows into the next

4. Slow and steady:

• Slower is better for chi cultivation
• Even speed throughout
• No rushing, no pausing

5. Relax completely:

• Use minimum effort
• Let go of unnecessary tension
• Soft muscles, strong structure

The Dan Tian: Your Energy Center

What Is the Dan Tian?

Dan Tian (丹田): "Elixir field" or "energy center"

There are three dan tians:

Lower Dan Tian:

• Location: About 3 finger-widths below navel, deep in abdomen
• Function: Stores and generates chi, physical vitality
• Element: Earth/Water
• This is the primary focus in Qi Gong and Tai Chi

Middle Dan Tian:

• Location: Center of chest, heart area
• Function: Emotional energy, compassion, connection
• Element: Fire

Upper Dan Tian:

• Location: Between eyebrows, third eye
• Function: Spiritual energy, consciousness, wisdom
• Element: Air/Ether

Cultivating the Lower Dan Tian

Abdominal breathing practice:

1. Place hands on lower abdomen, below navel
2. Inhale: Abdomen expands outward (like a balloon inflating)
3. Exhale: Abdomen contracts inward (balloon deflating)
4. Breathe slowly, deeply, smoothly
5. Feel warmth building in the dan tian
6. This is chi gathering

Signs of dan tian activation:

• Warmth or heat in lower abdomen
• Tingling or pulsing sensation
• Feeling of fullness or expansion
• Sense of power or groundedness
• These indicate chi is building

Integrating Qi Gong and Tai Chi into Your Practice

Daily Practice Routine

Morning practice (20-30 minutes):

1. Standing meditation (5-10 min): Build chi in dan tian
2. Qi Gong warm-up (5 min): Gentle movements to wake up body and chi
3. Tai Chi form (10-15 min): Flow through movements
4. Closing (2-3 min): Gather chi back to dan tian, seal the practice

Benefits of morning practice:

• Sets energetic tone for the day
• Clears stagnant energy from sleep
• Activates and circulates chi
• Calms and focuses mind

Finding a Teacher

Why you need a teacher:

• Qi Gong and Tai Chi are transmission arts
• Subtle details matter—hard to learn from books/videos alone
• Teacher can feel and correct your energy
• Lineage and authentic transmission are important

What to look for:

• Authentic lineage (trained by a master)
• Years of personal practice (not just teaching)
• Emphasis on internal work, not just external form
• You feel their chi/presence
• Teaching style resonates with you

Martial Arts Energy Work Affirmations

• "I am a channel for universal chi."
• "My breath guides energy through my body."
• "I cultivate internal power through stillness and flow."
• "Softness is my strength, yielding is my power."
• "I move with the flow of life force."
• "My dan tian is a reservoir of infinite energy."
• "I am grounded in earth, connected to heaven."

Moving Forward

In our next article, we'll explore Swimming and Water Element: Emotional Release Through Movement—learning how water-based movement supports emotional healing and flow.

But for now, begin exploring Qi Gong and Tai Chi. Find a class or teacher. Practice standing meditation. Feel your dan tian. Learn to sense the chi that flows through you always, waiting to be cultivated and directed.

You are not just a physical body. You are an energy body. Qi Gong and Tai Chi teach you to feel, cultivate, and work with this energy. This is the foundation of all internal martial arts and energy work.

Chi flows where intention goes. Cultivate your energy. Move with awareness. This is the way of internal power. This is Qi Gong and Tai Chi.