In older times, when real personal self defence skills were critical and people trained in martial arts for personal survival, Internal Strength training was the foundation and most essential part of the martial training process.

Tai Chi Neigong was developed by Taoists and passed on secretively to only initiated disciples from master to student. This system of Neigong was taught to master Cheng Tin Hung by his teacher and uncle Cheng Wing Kwong, who learned it from his master Wu Chien Chuan, head of the Wu style of Tai Chi.

Cheng Tin Hung’s students became the top full contact Kung fu fighters in Asia because of their Neigong training, in addition to practical combat training.

Tai Chi Neigong Is A Daily System Of Training The Eight Fundamental Powers Of Tai Chi

The internal strength exercises build remarkable levels of elastic and tendinous strength throughout the body, whilst at the same time developing skill, technique and explosiveness in each of the 8 major Tai Chi forces.

Neigong Is Designed To Strengthen The Body Internally And Externally

The internal strength exercises include special training to develop deep abdominal breathing, to increase the length and subtlety of the breath, strengthen the diaphragm as well as to massage and increase the health and functioning of the internal organs, as well as strengthen the fascial systems that hold them in place.

Internal Strength Is Designed To Create A Very Tough Physique That Can Withstand Real Combat

In a real fight, particularly against multiple opponents, the martial artists of older times knew you needed to have a physique that could withstand the blows and impacts of unexpected strikes. A standard test in Neigong is to have someone jump from head height onto the abdomen as a demonstration of this ability.

Internal Strength Training Is Influenced By Taoist Internal Alchemy Techniques

It includes an approach to training which is designed to develop mental and emotional tranquility, allowing the practitioner to achieve ‘stillness in motion’ – a completely calm yet focused state during periods of intense activity (such as during combat).

There Are Two Sequences Of 12 Exercises, One Developing Yin Attributes And The Other Developing Yang Skills.

This has been designed to give practitioners an incredible, rounded training system that will develop all the attributes needed by a Tai Chi martial artist or anyone that wants to develop Neigong skills.

The Course Consists Of 6 Lessons, Taught By Neil Rosiak MSc, Who Has Practiced The Neigong For 30 Years.

Neil initially learned as a young student of the first Wudang Tai Chi teacher in London, Dan Docherty, who in turn had learned from senior students of Cheng Tin Hung. Neil refined his understanding of the neigong with research into the various approaches taken across the various branches of the Wu style. This culminated with learning the 24 exercises directly from Sifu Cheng Kam Yan, son of Cheng Tin Hung. For this reason the method presented in the course can be considered the definitive approach of the Cheng Tin Hung school.

What You’ll Learn In Online Tai Chi Neigong Course?

Lesson 1

Introduction

Golden Tortoise: Proper technique and alignments to get the most from this whole body toughening and strengthening exercise. Breathing becomes longer and deeper with practice, being based on a tortoise posture, which encourages deep diaphragmatic breathing.

Embracing the One: Learning precise alignment guidelines and practical recommendations for this whole body strengthening posture, which focuses on building ‘Peng’ Jin when properly trained. A form of standing meditation also.

Holding the golden plate: This exercise is almost a mirror image of the previous exercise, strengthening the shoulder structure and stability in an extremely useful way, as well as developing the strength and flexibility of the wrists.

Jade rabbit facing the moon: Learn the proper and precise positioning of the body through the repetitions, so that the breath becomes extremely deep and abdominal, so that the ‘Qi sinks to the Tan Tien’ – the formal purpose of this important exercise.

Lesson 2

Red Capped Crane stretching its feet: Learning the correct technique to train not only explosive, upwards force ‘Peng’, but also to gently stretch the lungs.

Civet Cat Catches Rats: This important exercise is taught in the traditional 6 steps so that maximal structure is trained, along with shoulder strengthening and the development of the explosive spiralling power/Jin ‘Lieh’.

Flick the whip: Teaching this exercise in the traditional manner, which maximises the development of explosive power from the waist, incorporating ballistic movement. An important exercise for those wanting to develop Fa Jin for Tai Chi striking techniques.

White Ape pushing out its Paws: This exercise develops the use of the waist for non ballistic power/Jin for moments when we need to overcome heavy resistance, such as pushing or Tai Chi grappling techniques.

Lesson 3

Swallow piercing the clouds: This important movement trains spiralling force whilst developing the waist. It’s design helps to escape negative clinch and grappling positions and grabs.

Leading the goat smoothly: This pattern is designed to build spiralling force which can be used in Tai Chi grappling techniques and throws. It also develops thoracic spinal freedom of movement, the waist generally and the strength of the rotational muscles of the trunk and spine.

Giant Python rotates his body: This exercise is traditionally said to develop the health and wellbeing of the Kidneys, which in Chinese medicine and inner martial arts is equated with production or storage of Jing. This important health focused exercise also develops the torquing ability of the arms when applying techniques.

Elephant shakes its head: This special finishing movement is designed to relax and loosen the entire body at the end of the Yin sequence. It builds skill in becoming ‘sung’ the special type of looseness sought in tai chi. As a result Fa Jin and explosive power paradoxically increase.

The Yang Internal Strength System

Lesson 4

Tiger Paw: This powerful exercise develops the dynamic strength and condition of the entire body. One of its primary functions is the development of explosive ‘Jie’ force. The entire physique becomes stronger and Jie releases become incredibly focussed and powerful.

Golden Dragon Coiled around the pillar: This exercise develops high levels of leg power and endurance, as well as stretching the muscles of the waist areas.

White Horse Pounds It’s Hooves: This movement builds strength across the entire body and develops crushing ‘An’ power, which is compression force downwards.

Planting the Fence: This standing meditation posture building strength through the body and is designed to develop an incredible ‘Bridge’ or physical frame that cannot be broken down.

Lesson 5

Wugang Cutting Laurels: This movement is focused on building rotational explosiveness issues from the waist. Rotational and stabilising muscles and connective tissue of the trunk and core are toughened and developed. High levels of rotational Fa Jin result from practice.

Rhinoceros facing the moon: This standing meditation posture develops the strength of the entire body, especially the spinal and core muscles. It is traditionally said to also focus on developing kidney health and strength.

Reclining Tiger stretching his waist: This movement develops the waist power for upwards directed Jin. Specifically designed to strengthen ‘uprooting’ Jin, which is hugely important in Tai Chi pushing hands or grappling.

Monarch of the mountain exiting his cave: Performed correctly this exercise further develops leg strength in order to improve your stance and stability.

Lesson 6

Boatman Rowing the boat (Asian style standing): The exercise builds dynamic strength through the whole body, and develops the ability to transmit power using dynamic weight shifting in multiple planes.

Hungry eagle looking for food: This standing meditation strengthens the upper back and entire shoulder complex, whilst improving the flexibility of the upper body.

Macaques Monkey leaping through trees: This explosive movement develops the Fa Jin ground reaction power of the lower body, triple extension of the lower body combined with forward expression of power, as well as the balance.

Old Man Burning the Cinnabar (making the medicine): This extremely important meditation exercise is said to put mind and spirit in unity. There are two breathing exercises as well as a stillness meditation that comprise this ‘medicine making’ exercise.