| Qi-Gong is a system of exercises for cultivation of Qi. |
| (Qi) can be translated as energy and (Gong) as practice. |
| There are many different types of Qi-Gong systems with different goals: |
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Medical Qi-Gongs designed to improve health in general or to target a
particular |
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disease or internal organ |
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Martial Qi-Gongs designed to increase internal power or to condition the body
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Taoist or Buddhist Qi-Gongs which aim to promote spiritual growth |
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Sexual Qi-Gongs to increase the sexual energy or increase the range of sensations |
There are many more such types and each in turn has a large number of different
variations. One analogy would be to think of Qi as music and the different types
of Qi-Gong as different musical instruments. The subject matter is the same but
the way it is approached can vary. The Internal Martial Arts themselves are a
type of Qi-Gong.
A common thread in all these practices is the emphasis on using Mind. Most exercises
are done with a great deal of (relaxed) concentration and very little of physical
movement. But movement is present all the time - even when the practitioner seems
perfectly still.
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