Medical Qigong or Neigong – Which Is More Powerful?
By Paul Cavel
The goal of all Taoist movement arts is to move energy (qi) in the body, which can be done through direct or indirect methods.
Direct movement of qi occurs when a practitioner's mind connects and merges with specific layers of energy within their flesh, and then mobilises that qi to generate the physical movements of any given form. This is the method of all neigong practices, such as tai chi, bagua and Five Element qigong sets.
Indirect movement of qi occurs when the choreography of a form influences qi flows along particular pathways. These practices are initiated when a practitioner's hand makes contact with their etheric field, which enables them to pull and push energy through their etheric field, skin and specifically in the wei qi (or meridian-line energy that runs through the fascia). This is the method used by medical qigong systems, such as Dragon and Tiger.
Directly moving qi definitely sounds as though it's more powerful than indirectly moving qi, and in fact it can be. However, consider that: indirectly moving qi is easier to achieve, and you can more quickly develop the quantity and quality of qi you mobilise and circulate; whereas, directly moving qi is harder to achieve, and takes a much greater degree of concentration and practice. No one simply jumps into directly moving qi without first increasing the quantity of their qi and clearing out their channels via indirectly moving qi.
Furthermore, until you can feel your qi, by definition you cannot gain control over indirect much less direct movement of energy.
Can You Feel Your Qi?
In truth, most people find it rather difficult to feel their energy, especially in the early years of practice. In this case, medical qigong offers a straightforward and exceptionally easy methodology for learning how to feel your qi, and develop your mind's ability to move through your body and mobilise it. Dragon and Tiger's seven movements are designed to stir up and progressively release stagnant and blocked energy, allowing your blood and qi to circulate more strongly. This increased blood and qi flow, in turn, makes it easier for you to become of aware of any stuck or weak areas in your body, and bank the qi you generate from practice in your lower tantien. With ongoing training, you can tune into and become present to what is occurring under the surface of your skin to ever finer degrees. Although the choreography of medical qigong movements requires a little bit of effort to learn, they can have a powerful impact on your ability to feel qi – right from the start – even when the movements are not done particularly well.
And consider that it is not really a question of either/or, that is either medical qigong or neigong, but rather when and how much of each stream of practice is appropriate for you. Eventually, you will find aspects of both indirect and direct movement of qi in all internal arts forms. It is really only a question of where and how the different aspects are applied. For me personally, once I crossed over the threshold of training Dragon and Tiger at Level 7 Energetics, all my other forms were immediately injected with qi-power that absolutely transformed my overall neigong practice. Indirect and direct movement of qi go hand in hand by developing a practitioner’s ability to manipulate and cultivate qi.
Medical QiGong's Link to Acupuncture
Medical qigong theory is modelled after that of acupuncture.
Acupuncturists make use of needles to stimulate specific points along the meridian lines to open up and balance qi flows.
Medical qigong practitioners use their hands to stimulate individual, pairs or groups of meridian lines to open up and balance qi flows.
The difference is, in medical qigong, energy lines in the body can be opened and cleared while simultaneously stretching open the fascia, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. The purpose is to clear the physical and energetic bodies of unwanted blockages to bring about relaxation and upgrade all the body’s functions. In time and with practice, the heightened awareness of energy that is developed can easily be transferred to more sophisticated Five Element qigong sets, generating a different quality of motion as you begin to engage your body, mind and qi on more profound levels.
It is worth noting, however, that Dragon and Tiger produces qualities of tai chi and bagua more so than any specific element throughout its seven movements. For example, the first five moves are practised with very soft hands, emulating the light, empty quality of tai chi; whereas the last two moves are performed with strong tendon stretches all the way to the fingertips, more in line with bagua's style. Moves 1-5 generate softness, flush the energy channels, release the nerves, and strongly circulate blood and qi. Moves 6-7 penetrate deeper into both the practitioner's body and the environment, increasing the quantity of qi available to you, integrating the various meridian flows and linking everything into the lower tantien – the central energy gate of your body, which ultimately enables control of the entirety of your qi.
Strengthening Your Etheric Field and Lower Tantien
Of course, the primary modus operandi of Dragon and Tiger is to develop the strength and density of your etheric field. This not only generates a formidable buffer between you and your immediate environment, but also allows you to link with and draw upon environmental energies. When you enter into this realm of training, the motion morphs into a thick, soupy quality – as if your whole body is immersed in and you are moving through liquid. The stronger and denser your etheric field, the more qi you can generate and bank in the lower tantien. This qi can then be used as and when needed, especially in times of distress, injury or illness. The qi of the lower tantien is ultimately responsible for how much energy you can bring up, circulate and use to densify your etheric field.
When you are able to feel and maintain the appropriate boundary between you and another person (or any living organism for that matter), you can remain in your own space – grounded, rooted, and thinking clearly – even in stressful situations. Growing and maintaining a strong etheric field throughout your lifetime enables you to maintain a sense of your Self, not being influenced by others when you choose not to be, and allowing you to fulfil your higher purpose.