Sometimes, emails arrive in my inbox with questions that beg to be answered with a video.
A few weeks ago, a sincere young man named Nick sent this question.
“I read online that qigong is a style of kung fu. Is it true? I’m confused.”
Well Nick, the internet can be a pretty confusing place! With so much information at your fingertips, it’s hard to separate the true from the false.
Normally, I would write a blog post to answer Nick’s question. But this time, I decided that a video would work better.
Videos are a fantastic teaching tool because they give me the ability to demonstrate my answers. I can also pronounce confusing Chinese terms.
I shot this quick video in the Ozark mountains after giving an advanced qigong workshop to a wonderful group of students at the Stone Wind Retreat.
If you’re still confused about how kung fu relates to qigong, then the video below will help.
Here are some of the topics covered:
- The real meaning of kung fu…
- How Tai Chi Chuan fits in…
- The confusion with wushu…
- Various styles of kung fu:
- The Shaolin Five Animals…
- Wing Chun Kung Fu…
- Tai Chi Chuan…
- The dividing line between qigong and kung fu…
- The flowing characteristics of Tai Chi Chuan…
- Cursive writing vs. block writing in kung fu…
- Is Lifting The Sky a form of kung fu?
- Can you fight with Golden Bridge Qigong?
- One Finger Zen Qigong
- Shooting Arrows Qigong
- Martial vs. Non-martial Qigong.
Watch the video for free here:
I’ve written on this topic before. If you’d like to read more, here are 4 good places to start:
- The Difference Between Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Chai Tea
- How Tai Chi Lost Its Mojo
- The Difference Between Kung Fu, Gung Fu, and Gung Ho.
- The History of Qigong and Tai Chi: Facts And Myths
Do you enjoy video blogs like this? If so, let me know in the comments below.
Normally, I prefer to use the written word along with images, but videos can be super helpful. I hope that you found this video helpful. If you’d like me to shoot more like this, then make sure to let me know! From the heart, Sifu Anthony
LOVED the idea of a video. I find them all super useful as you always include a heap of information, and your method of speaking/teaching is very engaging.
Also, each one has its own individual nuances so it’s handy to watch/review all of them regularly as you can expect to learn, or rehash, something each time you watch them.
Keep up the great job, Sifu!
Thanks Eric!
I truly loved the videos as well as all the writings and videos!!! Very informational and i learn a lot and im able to apply them to my practice.
Thank you for sharing your passion!!
Please keep it up!!! 🙂
Thank you!
very informative video and posts.
Thanks Suyog!
Great video! Thank you.
Thanks Dr. Beverley!
Thank you Sifu Anthony for the interesting video.
Thanks Vimala!
Great video! Could you explain the differences between the different schools of Tai Chi Chuan?
Thanks!
SI CLARO ¡ UN VIDEO ES MUY ÚTIL RECURSO PARA EXPLICARNOS GRACIAS POR SU VALIOSO TIEMPO PARA COMPARTIR BUENA INFORMACIÓN
Con mucho gusto, Maria!
I loved the analogy of block vs cursive writing. Brilliant!
This was very informative and a great way to present the material. We’re all familiar with the adage that a picture is worth a 1000 words; by extension, then, a “moving picture” would be worth considerably more.
Thanks, Sifu Anthony.
Mike Stapler
Good point, Mike!
Thoroughly enjoyed the video–the humor, too. Also, your liking of karate and kung fu to block writing and tai chi to cursive writing was absolutely ingenious!. Great video.
Great video. I like your style and what you know and teach.
I’m interested in learning the health and dance and energy manipulation of Tai Chi. Rather than the striking.
I have no interest in fist fighting, or attacking someone. I prefer the neutralization techniques displayed in Aikido, with the dance and flow of Tai Chi. I dont know what to call this but I’m searching.
Thanks Ken. It sounds like you would be interested in tai chi pushing hands. It’s the original art of neutralization! And there’s no striking allowed.
Hi Sifu.
I really enjoyed the video. Thank You for explaining it really nicely and clearly.
I knew that Tai Chi is a martial art – my Tai Chi teacher says when we practice how You use certain moves in fight ( which is a block and which a hit). Most of the Qigong i ever did is for health purposes. As You said in the video there are Qigong forms You may use in fight but it is not so often meet as in Tai Chi.
Thank You for the video :}
Thanks for the input, Darius!
I loved the video; it reminded me of how great you made me feel in the studio.
Thanks, Lynn!
Id like to learn more do you have a mailing list I can get on? My email is [email deleted for digital security]. Your articles and videos are most useful and informative!
Hi Doc. Thanks! You can learn more and get on my email list by joining this free course here:
https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/store/CNe4WWGo
Great differentiation, thank you for taking the time to produce this,