Chi Gung and Kung Fu

-How they are similar whilst being so different in the

growth of strength and health of the body-mind and
spirit.

Over the years, there have been many different types of martial
arts and meditations I have enjoyed learning. These include
Aikido, Zen Do Kai, a waving arm style of Yang tai chi, a style of
kung fu I later found was designed solely for profit of the
organization, Brazilian Jiu Jutsu, Chow Family Mantis Kung Fu
and the Tong Ren System of Medical Chi Gung.

Whilst I acknowledge that each has provided me with necessary

aspects of growth for me to be a better person, it is the Tong
Ren system of chi gung and the Chow Family Tong Long system of
kung fu that continue to encourage, nourish, stimulate and keep
me enthusiastic about my personal development.

What separates these two styles from the other arts I have come
across is how hard both masters have had to work to achieve
what they have. While at the top of their game they are able to
remain loving and down to earth people and who continue to
grow and improve their skills in their fields. Each system has
many different layers of understanding that can only be
understood and developed through continual practice. Being
committed to your own growth as a person using the arts is
continually reinforced and encouraged by both schools.

Inside of me, there is often a deep-seated urge to wrathfully lash

out, consume and destroy the aspects of life I do not agree with
or am unable to properly understand. There is also a deep-seated
urge to be warm, loving and generous towards the world around
me. From this internal need and desire, chi gung and kung fu
have become an elixir of stability and support I can give myself
to help my body-mind and inner-self grow stronger and healthier
and more mature.

Kung fu and chi gung are externally very different to the eye.
Kung fu is often seen as being vicious, ferocious and highly
destructive, whilst chi gung is seemingly quiescent and calm in
contrast. Some may say chi gung is weak whilst kung fu is strong.
Actually they both have similar qualities and are the Yin and
Yang of each other.

To build strength, to integrate and join as a whole functioning

unification of body, mind and inner-self is one the shared aims of
both arts. It seems obvious that kung fu does this because of the
actions and militant forms of encouragement shared with the
students. Strangely, the same attitudes must be adopted in order
to succeed at chi gung.

To remain standing in the same posture for 30 minutes to an hour

takes a lot of heart, will power and personal discipline. It is a
constant battle to overcome one’s own weaknesses and flaws. In
kung fu we are taught about the transition from tension to
relaxation, likewise in chi gung the transition from tension to
relaxation is the focus. This is an aspect that makes both arts
hard to achieve because it is always an ongoing process. When
you start out, it is easy to feel the tension and is often difficult
to relax and after a while we are better able to distinguish and
achieve the two feelings. However it of the body-minds ability to
be able to relax can increase even more and more and more.

Similarly the Tong Ren System of chi gung and the Tong Long
system of kung fu express aspects of Yin and Yang theory. In kung
fu the body begins in stillness and is unmoving (Yin) while the
mind is active and scans for movement or strikes from the
opponent (Yang). Then in the moment of attacking the mind
becomes still (Yin) while the body strikes (Yang). For chi gung too
doing Jan Jong the body is still (Yin) while the mind actively and
objectively observes the nuances of the body (Yang).
Spontaneously the body may begin to tremble, vibrate or shake
(Yang) and the mind becomes still and grounded (Yin). From this
observation it seems neither Yin nor Yang can exist in a moment
without the other being present.