Qigong forms, lineages and history

[chirishi]

Has anyone seen a good outline of the extant forms of qigong, their lineage and history? Which ones are more pure and authentic, which ones are modern innovation? What are the differences between the different forms and traditions and what are their sources?

 

There are so many forms and schools of qigong and I think even some of the modern ones are very good but it seems that the oldest traditions would be a good place to focus.

[Astral Monk]

Good question. I'd be interested to see such a survey of the historical and modern qigong trends. My teacher developed a form of qigong based on two sources--research into existing forms of qigong in Sichuan, and an analysis of certain ancient relics of the Shu people (who lived in Sichuan). It involves a lot of standing post type practice.

 

 

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[taijistudent]

I have some of the original depictions of Qigong exercises from the Mawangdui Medical Scripts. From my studies, my best guess is that Qigong began as simple stretching exercises, especially for monks who might be sitting around a lot meditating. So they stand up and do some basic stretches.

 

From there, it just branches out all over the place. There are thousands of different variations all having some basic qualities in common: Relaxed, slow, rhythmic breathing coordinated with repetitive movements and imagery (Yi). If one adds leg movements then one is developing moving Qigong which begins to approximate Taiji (which I distinguish from Taijiquan).

 

Movements are sometimes large circles, spirals, waves,etc., all designed to move and stretch the physical body while stimulating the internal qi energy movement. Some qigong is more specialized for specific purposes, such as standing or sitting qigong which are designed to increase balance, enhance meditation, or develop stronger and more grounded presence.

 

I don't think any one qigong is more authentic than another. Results are similar with some differences and different with some similarities. I think one can get a good flavor of the different movements from Youtube videos. If you enjoy doing them in a class then one can look for a class that is practicing with the qualities you are looking for.

 

Here is a brief description that may interest you:

 

How To Practice Qigong

Edited March 23, 2013 by taijistudent

[chirishi]

Thanks. So far I found a few brief histories on Google which talk about the Confusion school, Buddhist school, Taoist school, medical qigong and martial qigong. Although I have read that qigong was originally taught to Shaolin monks by an Indian Yogi I have not heard of Vedic or Hindu qigong. But I did hear Sri Sri Ravi Shankar once say that acupuncure originated in India and that there was still a family who preserved the original tradition in India.

 

There is too much correlation between kriya yoga and qigong to be coincidence. When Yogananda originally published his "Tissue Will System of Physical Perfection" later called the "Energization Exercises" it was a direct type of qigong designed to bring qi into the body and direct it with will for a purpose. His kriya yoga techniques involve circulating chi around body up the back and down the front through the centers some say using a mantra of Vishnu with syllables corresponding to each chakra. Then when I got the Spring Forest qigong course about 6 years ago I discovered that he teaches the same thing. Of course Master Chunyi Lin could be a practitioner of kriya yoga but more likely it is a part of qigong tradition since the "microcosmic orbit" seems to be central in many forms of qigong.

 

Also the placing of the tongue on the palate is part of the microcosmic orbit in order to complete the circuit but there seems to be some other purpose of the kechari mudra in kriya yoga which seems to be to awaken the pineal gland for enlightenment or contact with higher consciousness.

 

Now after learning a number of different qigong forms I see some common aspects between a lot of qigong and yoga in general. The meaning of "pranayama" is close to the meaning of "chi kung"

 

I'm starting to see some connection between wudang qigong and the kriya yoga. Interestingly some practitioners of kriya yoga seem to be led in that direction also such as MIchael Winn and some of the followers of the Dragon Gate Sanctuary.

 

Both lineages claim to originate in Tibet which is also interesting.

 

I'm sure many others have done a lot of research and training in qigong and know a lot more about the real history.