Sometimes called “Chinese Yoga”, qigong is the ancient art and science of using breath, posture, movement, stretching, meditation, visualisation, and/or sound to cultivate subtle energy, improve health, transform consciousness, and increase power for martial arts.

It is a common mistake for people to assume that there is something supernatural about qigong. In reality, qigong is a very subtle art, with centuries of research into the relationship between thought, emotion, posture, and vitality. The is far more science than magic in qigong. But the terminology used to teach it is based on subjective experience more than objective data, since the scientific analysis of qigong is not actually very practical when it comes to learning how to do it.

Tai chi qigong incorporates elements of daoist qigong and wushu qigong, and has much in common with other categories of qigong as well. However, tai chi qigong has no religious component whatsoever, and the wushu qigong elements are much more gentle and "soft" than other types of wushu qigong.

Tai chi qigong provides the mental and physical foundation for great tai chi practice. It loosens the joints, warms the muscles, promotes qi cultivation and circulation, and improves concentration. Without qigong, it is impossible to achieve the phenomenal "internal" martial power that tai chi chuan is famous for.

The health benefits of tai chi qigong are so great that most people who practise tai chi chuan do so primarily for their health. Some schools teach tai chi qigong as a course unto itself, allowing students to forgo all other components of tai chi training.

When you practice tai chi chuan forms (routines) 50% of the art is considered qigong. So it is good to view the routines as a context for practising qigong.

Now, if you really want to be confused, you can consider that some very highly respected traditional teachers may say that there is no qigong in tai chi. They have very good reasons for saying this. Qigong is a fairly new term which is often applied to a variety of ancient practices. Tai Chi is older than the word qigong. But much of tai chi practice has the same principles and benefits of the other "qigong arts". So, since the methods and results are similar, it is often called tai chi qigong, in spite of the fact that some see "tai chi" and "qigong" as competing brands.