Neigong

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Neigong, also spelled nei kung, neigung, or nae gong, refers

to any of a set of Chinese breathing, meditation and spiritual Neigong
practice disciplines associated with Daoism and especially Chinese 內功
the Chinese martial arts. Neigong practice is normally
Literal meaning "internal skill"
associated with the so-called "soft style", "internal" or neijia
內家 Chinese martial arts, as opposed to the category known Transcriptions
as waigong 外功 or "external skill" which is historically Mandarin
associated with shaolinquan or the so-called "hard style",
"external" or wàijiā 外家 Chinese martial arts. Both have Hanyu Pinyin nèigōng
many different schools, disciplines and practices and Cantonese
historically there has been mutual influence between the two
Jyutping noi6 gong1
and distinguishing precisely between them differs from
school to school.

There is both martial and non-martial neigong. Well known examples of martial neigong are the various
breathing and focus trainings taught in some traditional Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan schools. An
example of non-martial neigong is the discipline known as Daoyin.

Contents
1 Neigong and the internal martial arts
2 Neigong and meditation
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

Neigong and the internal martial arts

The martial art school of neigong emphasises training the coordination of the individual's body with the breath,
known as the harmonisation of the inner and outer energy(內外合⼀), creating a basis for a particular school's
method of utilising power and technique.

Neigong exercises that are part of the neijia tradition involve cultivating physical stillness and or conscious
(deliberate) movement, designed to produce relaxation or releasing of muscular tension combined with special
breathing techniques such as the "tortoise" or "reverse" methods. The fundamental purpose of this process is to
develop a high level of coordination, concentration and technical skill that is known in the martial arts world as
neijin (內勁). The ultimate purpose of this practice is for the individual to become at one with heaven or the
Dao (天⼈合⼀). As Zhuangzi stated, "Heaven, earth and I are born of one, and I am at one with all that exists
(天地與我並⽣, 萬物與我唯⼀)".
Martial Nei Gung is about developing internal power. One way to possibly achieve this is to train particular
exercises regularly where the breath is matched with movements of blood or to effect the movement of blood
throughout the body. Through these exercises it can be possible to move the blood to a particular area during a
particular movement to have a particular result. One of the benefits of martial nei gung exercises is the
relaxation of blood vessels, nerves, muscles and sinews to help the body move more freely. With the body
moving freely and an excess of blood moving to a particular area with little or no effort, the practitioner can
possibly develop many benefits. These benefits may include:

faster recovery from injury to the hands

an ability to hit with more force
an ability to move faster (speed is crucial in martial arts)
the health benefits of being relaxed
in increase in connection to your legs, spine, arms and head
increased stamina
increased athletic ability and health
regulating blood pressure
actually experiencing the channels of the body as they truly are, which can possibly be different from the
books
developing an authentic dan tien that is consciously nourished and deliberately formed which is not
defined in the books
greater sensitivity for sparring and fighting

It is important to understand that anyone looking to learn Nei Gung sincerely, is more likely to learn it from a
good teacher of internal martial arts like Hsing-Yi (one of the easiest and most powerful forms of martial
cultivation). It is rare to learn authentic Daoist practices from a true master of the subject as quite a lot of the
Nei Gung skills are an essential part of a complete system of martial arts. There are people who claim that Nei
Gung is a philosophy, this is incorrect. There are intellectual guidelines to the practice of Nei Gung, but it is
'Inner Work' which means effort has to be put in to develop real, substantial and testable skills. This is not
something that can be imagined or talked about, only from direct experience and hard effort can an
understanding of Nei Gung develop. A true practitioner and teacher will take you on a journey growing your
inner-world and showing you how to demonstrate the skills you are developing.

Neigong and meditation

This type of practice is said to require concentration and internal reflection which results in a heightened self-
awareness that increases over time with continued practice. Neigong practitioners report awareness of the
mechanics of their blood circulation, peristalsis, muscular movement, skeletal alignment, balance, etc.

What is said to be occurring as the result of continual practice is a type of internal alchemy, that is a refinement
and transmutation of the "Three Treasures" or San Bao (三寳), in Chinese. The Three Treasures are known as
Jing (精), Qi (氣) and Shen (神) and can be loosely translated as Essence, Vitality and Spirit.

According to Daoist doctrine the Three Treasures can be described as three types of energy available to humans.
The Dao De Jing purported to be written by Lao zi states in chapter 42 that "The Dao (道) gives birth to the
One, the One gives birth to the Two (Taiji (太極) or Yin and Yang (陰陽)) and the Two gives birth to the Three
(which some interpret to mean Jing 精, Qi 氣 and Shen 神, or sometimes Heaven Tian 天, Earth Di 地 and Man
Ren ⼈) and lastly the Three gives birth to the 10,000 Things (Wanwu 萬物); which is all that exists in heaven
and on earth.
See also
Baguazhang
Dantian
I Ching
Qigong
Silk reeling
Taijiquan
Traditional Chinese medicine
Xingyiquan
Zhan zhuang
Zhang Sanfeng

References
Blofeld, J. Taoism, The Quest for Immortality, Mandala-Unwin Paperbacks London, 1989. ISBN 0-04-
299008-4
Cheng, Tinhung. Tai Chi Transcendent Art, The Hong Kong Tai Chi Association Press Hong Kong, 1976.
(only available in Chinese)
Wile, Douglas Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the late Ch'ing Dynasty State University of New York Press,
Albany, 1996. ISBN 0-7914-2653-X
Wu Gongzao. Wu Family T'ai Chi Ch'uan (吳家太極拳), Hong Kong, 1980, Toronto 2006, ISBN 0-
9780499-0-X
Keen, Thomas. Iron Vest Qigong. ISBN 978-1-60243-000-6
Danaos, Kosta, Nei Kung, The Secret Teachings of the Warrior Sage, Inner traditions, 2002, ISBN 0-
89281-907-3
Chen Kaiguo and Zheng Shunchao, Opening the Dragon Gate. The Making of a Modern Taoist Wizard..
ISBN 0-8048-3185-8
Miller, Dan and Cartmell, Tim "Xing Yi Nei Gong: Xing Yi Health Maintenance and Internal Strength
Development", Unique Publications, North Hollywood, 1999. ISBN 0-86568-174-0

External links
Neigong.net is a site devoted to original texts of neigong, neidan, neijia and qigong (http://neigong.net)
Interview with Nei Kung practitioner, Master C.K. Chu
(http://www.chutaichi.com/downloads/InvisibleLight.pdf)
Video of Nei Kung practitioner, John Chang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ5cuv8PwYw)
website for Xing Shen Zhuang practice as a foundation training (http://xingshenzhuang.com)
QigongJouranl.com (http://qigongjournal.com/) a website dedicated to all things Qigong and Neigong

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Categories: Chinese martial arts terms Meditation T'ai chi ch'uan Chinese philosophy

This page was last modified on 14 December 2014, at 17:59.

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