Chinese believe that all the forms of life in the universe are animated by an essential life-force or vital energy called 'Chi' or 'Qi'. In order to generate this Chi Energy and make it benefit our health, systems have been developed to do this work which we call Kong (benefit, achievement). Thus we say that Chi Kong refers to system which helps to generate Chi.

There are six different kinds of Chi which exist in our bodies:

1. Gu Chi (grain Chi) - generates our body's energy.
2. Kong Chi (air in lung) - enkindles our energy.
3. Zan Chi (between all organs) - our body's original energy.
4. Wei Chi (guarding energy) - occupies the surface of our skin.
5. Xie Chi (blood chi) - maintains our bodies temperature.
6. Jin Chi (sperms or eggs producing chi) - reproductive energy.

Martial artists mainly train in Zan Chi and Xie Chi. Yet, the other four kinds of Chi will still receive benefit when we practice the martial art Chi Kong.

TaiChi People offers instruction is numerous Chi Kong sets:

Internal Eagle Claw Chi Kong

Shifu Hwang learned this Internal Eagle Claw Chi Kong from Mr. Liu, a graduate student of University of Chinse Culture, when he was in third grade at his university. Mr. Liu had learned this set Chi Kong from his teacher, Master Wan Lai-Sen in Fu Jien Province.

Master Wan, a formidible martial artist, was the third generation successor of Zi Than Men (the school of nature). Zi Than Men is a very small schoo, where all the practicioners developed their bodies with super energy. The first generation was master Shu (also known as 'Shu, the dwarf') who was said to walk on water. The second generation was master Du Hsin-wu who was once home arrested by former Chinese President Yuen Shih-Kai. Yuen instructed the guard not not to give Du food until Du surrendered. Yet, people saw Du in restaurants at lunch and dinner time. Later on, it was discovered that Du was jumping out from the top of the roof.

Internal Eagle Claw Chi Kong can help to build Chi and tone the body to become flexible at the same time.

Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade Chi Kong

The Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade Chi Kong set has a very old history. It is believed to be a Taoist Chi Kong set, and has a legendary story attached to it.

It is said that Taoist Master Lu Tong-Bin was a talented, but lazy martial artist. Lu's teacher Zon li-Chuan worried that his student's training might not develop as intended, so he left a piece of note containing the Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade Chi Kong set inside a tree hole as a reminder for Lu to always practice . However, Lu did not go there on that day and the note was found by a wood cutter. So this wood cutter practiced this Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade Chi Kong set daily and as result maintained a well-developed body.

Shifu Hwang learned this set Chi Kong from his father, a native Chinese of Hunan Province. His father entered Chinese Military School when he was 19 years old, and remained a follower of Generalismo Jang Kai-shick for his the duration of his life. He retired as a Colonel in the Chinese Army in Taiwan. Since there was no train at that time, his father and his friends used to walk the long distance between their native hometown and Kwen Tong province (about 1000 miles and took about a month). His father operated a Chinese Herb shop in central Taiwan, and practiced his herbal pharmacy and Chi Kong training every day until 1996 when he died at the age of 95.

Iron Shirt Chi Kong

Shifu Hwang learned the Iron Shirt Chi Kong set from Dr. Ji Wong (who prefers the title of Doctor rather than master). Dr. Wong practices accupuncture and Chi Kong therapy as a career. Dr. Wong learned this set from Master Liu when travelling to the Sang Tong Province of China.

There are many styles of Iron Shirt Chi Kong. Most of them are considered an external form of training. In external training, practicioners try to tense their bodies when hit struck. While in internal traing, the practicioner will try to stay relaxed when when receiving a blow. The TaiChi People school Iron Shirt Chi Kong training uses the Internal approach.

Ths Iron Shirt Chi Kong set can build up Wei chi. When one's Wei chi is strong, the practicioner will not get injured easily. Also, training in this set can strenghten one's immune system. Its benefits are known to include weight loss, increased energy, increased appetite, helping insomnia, as well as warding off disease. As a result, many people who are not martial artists, still train in Iron Shirt Chi Kong.

In past times, when Chi Kong competitors met, they tested each others abilities by striking each other with three punches. If one of them could not handle the pain, they were considered an inferior martial artist.

Iron shirt Chi Kong is known by many other names such as Gold Bell Chi Kong and Gold Shield Chi Kong.

Thirteen Naughty Boys Chi Kong

Thirteen Naughty Boys Chi Kong was developed as part of the Shuai Chiao training system to help the practicioner improve their balance. According to Grand Master Chang's grandson, David Chang, his grand father loved this Chi Kong set very much.

In Grand Master Chang's later years, many of his friends advised him to meditate and practice other Chi Kong sets. In return, he suggested that his friends to do the Thirteen Naughty Boy Chi Kong set with him.

This set can help one to build power in the knees and legs. Master John Wang, Shifu Hwang's teacher relates the following story. Grand Master Chang's shifu (teacher), Zang Fon-yen used to own a ban (bread shop). Most of the time when he rolled dough, he kept a horse stance. Once, while he was attending a friend's wedding; his friend, too busy to serve all of the guests forgot to offer a chair for Grand Master Zang Fon-yen. However, Zang remained quiet until they finished eating, when the guests found Zang had kept a horse stance there the whole time without a seat.

Tai Chi Iron Ball Chi Kong

Taichi Iron Ball Chi Kong emphasizes the development of the Tai Chi practicioner's Dantian and leg energy. It was developed in the Chen style Tai Chi training system.

According to Master Chen Chin-zou, Tai Chi Iron Ball training was first created by Chen Hsin, one of his ancestors about 120 years ago. Master Chen Chin-zou first introduced this training system, and announced it at the third International Taichi Theory Discussion Meeting on April 8th of 1994.

Shifu Hwang learned this training system from Master Chen Chin-zou in July 1998.