Qi Gong & Tai Chi - Internal Arts

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." - Lao Tzu

The Chinese internal art of Qi Gong (氣功) has been practised in many forms for over 5,000 years. Originally known as Dao Yin, meaning "guiding the Qi," it developed from observing nature, imitating animals, and shamanic practices into methods for healing the body, attaining enlightenment, and enhancing martial techniques.

Ancient texts, such as the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), written before 1122 B.C., describe Qi as the vital life force, along with the three natural powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man. 

Around 450 B.C., Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching mentions breathing techniques and the cultivation of "softness" as a path to health and vitality. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine (Huang Ti Nei Jing) further links Qi Gong with healing, laying the foundation for its role in traditional Chinese medicine.

During the Liang Dynasty (502–557 A.D.), the Shaolin Temple incorporated Qi Gong into martial training, introducing classics such as the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing) and Xi Sui Jing (Bone Marrow Cleansing), which are still practised today.

From its shamanic beginnings to contemporary practice, Qi Gong continues to evolve — yet its essence remains unchanged: cultivating energy flow, restoring mental and physical balance, and reconnecting with the Self.

Tai Chi (太極), or more precisely Tai Chi Chuan, is a Chinese martial art — soft yet powerful. Today, it is often experienced as a moving meditation and a practical path to vitality and well-being.

Within the mystical Wudang Shan, part of the Daoist tradition, it is believed that Zhang Sanfeng (1279–1368) created Tai Chi Chuan as a form of self-defence. Years of observing animals — particularly a fight between a snake and a bird — inspired the emergence of soft fighting: 

Mastering force through softness and meeting movement with stillness, often symbolised by the Crane and the Snake.

Modern Tai Chi traces its roots to the 17th century, from which the five main family styles — Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu (Hao), and Sun — gradually developed over the following centuries, each with its own flavour and tradition. All share the same foundation: the natural balance of Yin and Yang, a constant dance of opposites — sinking and rising, opening and closing, advancing and yielding.

Like water, Tai Chi is flexible yet powerful. 

It invites us to reconnect with the natural rhythm within, cultivate inner harmony, and nourish both body and mind.

"Where your intention (Yi) goes, Qi follows."

Qi Gong and Tai Chi meet where body, mind, and energy unite. Both work with Qi — the body's natural life-force energy — and support balance, vitality, and inner harmony, yet each offers a distinct approach.

Qi Gong focuses on simpler movements, often more static stances. It relaxes and opens the body, awakens awareness of energy. 

It teaches us how to build, guide, and store Qi. The emphasis is on feeling rather than memorising sequences — sensing the subtle qualities of energy.

Tai Chi builds on these foundations, bringing Qi into flowing, continuous movements. 

It is based on form sequences, attention to stances, exploring Yin and Yang within the body, grounding and holding, and continuous flow. Partner exercises and applications further deepen understanding. Tai Chi develops coordination, flexibility, and mindful movement.

Together, Qi Gong and Tai Chi form a unified dance of constantly changing forces within Heaven, Man, and Earth.

No plans, no goals, no desires — would you believe it? My journey unfolded in its own natural flow. What is meant to be, will be — effortless and authentic.

During my travels, a quiet yet certain voice whispered: "Work with energy — Qi Gong." I listened, and I followed with full trust. 

My very first Qi Gong class in Bali revealed something deep within me — this was home. 🙏

Two months later, I met my Master, Shifu Zuan, from Shaolin Temple Europe. Since August 2018, I have been practising under his guidance, learning two powerful traditions: Shaolin and Tai Chi. For the past three years, I have assisted Shifu Zuan in his teachings, and I currently serve as an official instructor for Journey Into Oneself. Through discipline, humility, and a constant return to the fundamentals, my path continues to unfold — teaching me to connect, to accept, and simply to be.

References:

• Shaolin Temple Europe: www.shaolintemple.eu

• Journey Into Oneself: www.journeyintooneself.world

The two traditions I share reflect the harmony of Yin and Yang — where Tai Chi, as a Yin (Nei Dan) internal art, meets Shaolin Yang (Wai Dan) external art.

The roots of my practice lie in the Shaolin way — where experience comes before theory, where softness arises from strength, and where wisdom naturally unfolds through dedicated training. 

The 14 WuDe virtues of Shaolin Kung Fu — among them respect, humility, patience, perseverance, discipline, and loyalty — guide my steps both in practice and in life.

I share the foundations of Wu Ma Tai Chi, a continuing family tradition reaching back to the 19th century. 

Wu style, known as the "soft fist", is an internal art of small frame, inspired by the graceful movements of the crane, where energy flows from top to bottom. The practice includes slow and fast forms, weapons training, Tui Shou (pushing hands), and Tai Chi boxing.

The Wu Ma lineage has been carefully passed down through generations: from Quan You, a student of Yang Luchan — the father of the Yang style — to his son Wu Jianquan, then to Wu Yinghua and her husband Ma Yueliang, followed by their son Ma Jiangbao. He passed the teachings to Shifu Jürgen Meyer, who now continues the tradition through my master, Shifu Zuan.

With deep gratitude to my teachers and the generations before me, I honour this path and continue to share it — carrying its wisdom forward with heart and reverence.

References:

Dao Zentrum Saar - Shifu Jürgen Meyer: https://wu-taichi-saar.de/