Once you figure out what Qi Gong is, you will notice that there are many Qi Gong forms. There is not only one Qi Gong style, but many sets: Qi Gong exercises for all kinds of issues and gazillions of Qi Gong movements. Because Qi Gong moves have been practiced for thousands of years and obviously that leads to a vast variety.

Let’s start with some of the oldest Qi Gong forms. It is said that Bodidharma, an Indian Buddhist monk in 5th or 6th century AD, began the physical training of the Shaolin monks (which lead to the creation of Shaolin Kung Fu). However, some of the exercises are now called “Qi Gong” and are still taught:

Qi Gong forms taught by Bodidharma to the Shaolin monks

• Shiba Luohan Shou  (十八羅漢手): 18 Luohan Hands
• Yì Jīn Jīng (易筋经): Muscle-Tendon Change Classic
• Xi Sui Jing (洗髓经): Bone Marrow Cleansing

Actually Yi Jin Jing is part of my own Qi Gong practice. And I will learn the Luohan Hands this year. I guess I should get into Xi Sui Jing, too!

Then there are some Qi Gong forms that have been recognized by the Chinese government as “official” Qi Gong forms. Four Qi Gong forms (including Yi Jin Jing!) where recognized in 2003. They are actually some of the most known Qi Gong sets in the West:

Qi Gong forms recognized by the Chinese Health Qi Gong Association in 2003

• Ba Duan Jin (八段錦): Eight Pieces of Brocade
• Liu Zi Jue (六字訣): Six Healing Sounds
• Wu Qin Xi (五禽戲): Five Animals
• Yì Jīn Jīng (易筋经): Muscle-Tendon Change Classic

To make the whole Qi Gong-thing even more complex: only because these forms are old or “official”, that does not mean that the exercises and moves are the same all over the world!

Let’s take the five animals for example: I wanted to know which are the five animals? This is the selection of animals in Wu Qin Xin: Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, Dragon, Monkey, Mantis, Panther, Horse, Cobra, Bull, Wolf, Deer, Bear, Boar, Python, Scorpion, Elephant, Lion, Frog, Duck, Dog, Crow, Chicken, Hawk, Turtle, Swallow, and Lizard. No need to count, that’s way more than five! (A little side note: I was actually disappointed that my favorite animal isn’t on the list: Flamingo!).

Well, I hope this gives you an idea that Five Animal Qi Gong and all other forms can be very different depending on where you learn them!

Then in 2010, more Qi Gong forms where recognized by the Chinese government:

Qi Gong forms recognized by the Chinese Health Qi Gong Association in 2010

• Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong Shi Er Fa (导引养生功十二法): 12 routines from Daoyin tradition
• Da Wu (大舞): choreographed exercises to lubricate joints and guide Qi
• Mawangdui Daoyin (马王堆导引术): Qi Gong from the Mawangdui Silk Paintings
• Shi Er Duan Jin (十二段锦): Sitting Qi Gong
• Tai Chi Yang Sheng Zhang (太极养生杖): a tai chi form from the stick tradition

And of course everyone can make up their own Qi Gong form. So there are old forms and new forms. It is often hard to distinguish from the outside, how old, deep, traditional, or well-founded a form is. Like I could develop Flamingo Qi Gong and become the most reputable Flamingo Qi Gong master in the world!

So when you have a look a the long list of all Qi Gong forms, remember that styles, sets, and Qi Gong masters come from all places and backgrounds. Choose your teacher wisely!

List of all Qi Gong forms (in alphabetical order)

• Ba Duan Jin (八段錦): Eight Pieces of Brocade
• Ba Tian Qi Gong
• Bend the Bow Spinal Qigong
• Chan Mi Gong
• Circulation (Small or Large); also Small or Big Universe
• Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong Shi Er Fa (导引养生功十二法): 12 routines from Daoyin tradition of guiding and pulling Qi
• Da Wu (大舞): choreographed exercises to lubricate joints and guide Qi
• Dayan Qi Gong: Wild Goose Qi Gong
• Dragon and Tiger Qi Gong
• Embrace Wind Caress Moon
• Emei Da Peng Gong
• Fang Song Gong: Relaxation Qi Gong
• Fan Teng Gong
• Finger Qi Gong
• Five Elements Qi Gong
• Fo Shou: Buddha Hand
• Gods Playing in the Clouds Qigong
• Guo Lin Qi Gong or Walking Qi Gong
• Huan Yuan Qigong from Feng Zhiqiang
• Hu Bu Gong: Tiger Step Gong
• Hui Gong: Exploring Wisdom Qigong
• Hu Lu Gong: Squash Qi Gong
• Huo Long Gong Qi Gong: Fire Dragon Qi Gong
• Jade Body Qi Gong
• Jiao Hua Gong: Beggar Qi Gong
• Jin Gang Gong: Diamond Qi Gong
• Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa
• Liu Zi Jue (六字訣): Six Healing Sounds
• Marriage of Heaven & Earth Qigong
• Mawangdui Daoyin (马王堆导引术): Qi Gong from the Mawangdui Silk Paintings
• Nei Yang Gong (内养功)
• One Thousand Hands Buddha
• Opening the Energy Gates
• Qi Dao or Tibetan Shamanic Qi Gong
• Shaolin Cosmic Qi Gong from Wong Kiew Kit
• Shaolin Nei Jing Yi Zhi Chan (内劲一指禅), also called One Finger Zen, Kong Jing, or Fire Hand of Shaolin
• Shiba Luohan Shou  (十八羅漢手): 18 Luohoan Hands
• Shibashi/Taiji Qi Gong Shibashi (太极气功十八式): 18 movements
• Shi Er Duan Jin (十二段锦): Sitting Qi Gong
• Sight Improving Qi Gong or Tai Chi Ba Gua Qi Gong by Zhang Qiong Fang
• Sleeping Qi Gong
• Soaring Crane Qi Gong
• Spiralling Energy Body Qigong
• Spontaneous Qi Gong
• Spring Forest Qi Gong
• Swallow the Bitter Pill
• Swimming Dragon
• Sub Bak Luohan Sau
• Tai Chi Yang Sheng Zhang (太极养生杖): a tai chi form from the stick tradition
• Wuji Qi Gong: Primordial Qi Gong
• Wu Qin Xi (五禽戲): Five Animals
• Xiang Gong: Aromatic or Fragrant Qi Gong
• Xi Sui Jing (洗髓经): Bone Marrow Cleansing
• Yangsheng Qi Gong by Jiao Gourui
• Yì Jīn Jīng (易筋经): Muscle-Tendon Change Classic
• Zhan Zhuang (站桩): Standing Qi Gong
• Zhineng Qi Gong: Wisdom Healing Qi Gong
• Zhong Yuan Qigong

Obviously the list will get longer and longer. Because I think there are a lot of hidden treasures: Qi Gong forms that are still practiced in China in privacy. I hope that many Qi Gong exercises will make their way to the practitioneres all over the world!

So this list of all Qi Gong forms is a work in progress – if you have any additions or changes, please tell me!

Happy Qi!

Angelika

Merken