In China, there are a few thousand types of qigong/chi-kung. However, qigong/chi-kung can be broadly categorized into whether it is from Buddhist, Taoist or Confucian practise.

Within these three categories, the three primary applications of qigong/chi-kung are:

  • in connection with Chinese martial arts.
  • to improve one’s health to prolong longevity. This is called Medical or Healing Qigong/Chi-kung
  • using qigong for various demonstrative purposes. This is mainly to attract new patients and/students

In the Medical or Healing Qigong/Chi-kung, it can be sub divided into:

  • external therapy whereby a Chinese doctor projects his own qi/chi into a patient’s body to effect a cure
  • self training whereby a person chooses a qigong program and performs the exercises over a period of at least 100 days to improve his or her health
  • a combination of external qigong treatment from a doctor and an individual’s qigong training program.