All of my teachers have talked about Qi, some with clarity and some using mysticism.
The only teacher I have had who could actually display his ability with Qi, physically, was my current teacher who is leagues above all previous instructors.
To summarize as clearly as possible how I believe Qi is used in Applications would be to say that it takes all Taiji principles to an extreme and calls on them to be present when contesting with another person.
Qi Gong is sometimes said to be easier to learn than Taiji because it is not as complex. I agree with part of that statement.
Qi Gong postures may be less complex, but their correct execution is almost impossible. But gives us a goal to strive for.
Qi Gong rather than resulting in the ability to shoot Qi out of our bodies instead serves to teach us how to align in motion in an extreme manner. That is if you are moving in a posture a helper should be able to use a straight stick to show how aligned you are through the shoulder/hip connection and through your spine. One of my teachers did this to us frequently.
Qi Gong also teaches us to Release fully, which is not as simple as it may seem.
In a posture with our arms outstretched, whether to our sides, front, or up and down, the elbow must be released. This is actually basic but something that most people struggle with, even experienced people.
You cannot move Qi through a constricted area. This should be obvious but is not.
All movement must be Released in Qi Gong. No locked joints at all. No locked hip joints, no locked elbows, no raised shoulders.
When a person reads that statement it seems simple, but in motion most people fail the test.
To create Peng, the essential energy that pervades Taiji, you must be capable of Release in complex postures, at all times. If you are unable to Release in relatively simple postures, as in Qi Gong, you will not be able to perform Taiji correctly.
Qi Gong’s use in Applications is like polishing an apple, it puts a shine on Attributes that should already be present, but often are not, or not in sufficient depth.
Qi Gong is not mystical. It is a fantastic, healing art, based on physics, as is Taiji.
