Neigong Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

What Is Neigong?

Neigong 内功 generally translates as “internal skill.”  This refers to the training and application of deep internal “energetic arts.”  Neigong training can produce profound levels of Qi cultivation, transmission, and advanced skill-sets.

You can think of Neigong as the ‘secret sauce’ of gong fu 功夫 (kung fu). This is what's behind the phenomenal feats that are often viewed as implausible (or even impossible) by the uninitiated.

In reality, the process is as much physics, physiology, and biomechanics as it is mystical and arcane.  Yet the allure and mythology remain, and the training behind the skill is often encoded, guarded, and even shrouded in mystery.

Here we’ll pull the curtain back and take a good look at the skills and practices involved. This will provide you with a foundation to start your own exploration.

Neigong Exercises

It is important to understand that neigong training is “principle based.”  This is to say that the underlying skills are  universal in process, and are applicable to a host of applications.

It is not uncommon to think that there are “exercises” (as in a calisthenics type workout) to train neigong.  And the truth is that there are very physical aspects to neigong training.  However, the training is very much focused as an internal cultivation process.

And that specific purpose brings us to:

Why Would I Want To Learn Neigong?

As alluded to above, true neigong adds immense depth, increased power, and significant advantages to your training (regardless of style, lineage, etc.).  Generally considered advanced training, these practices can take your skills to the next level (and well beyond).

The phrase “work smarter, not harder” comes to mind here. When embodied, neigong skills can transform certain practices into almost effortless activities.  

With this training, your ability to understand, access, transmit, and maintain levels of Qi will change dramatically. Most students experience a higher level of efficacy, and vitality in their practice—and all with less effort.  

To get there, however, requires foundational skills and a healthy dose of dedicated training.

Neigong Training

All systems of Neijia 内家 training (the broad family of Chinese internal arts) should already have neigong principles built in. This is true regardless of the nature of practice (martial, health, or spiritual).   It is important to note the “should” in the previous statement.  

Time, politics, economics, and sociological elements have all contributed to an increase in training that lacks actual neigong principles. The result has been the dilution of, and even loss of knowledge from some systems over time.  While well intended, there is a lot of existing training that speaks the language--but is unfortunately devoid of much of the desired outcomes. 

To compound the issue, true training is often (and appropriately) guarded and kept “secret.” This is usually for the sake of safety, and its close relationship to internal alchemical practices (known as Neidan practices). This has only contributed to the rarefying of information over time.

True skill, however, is within the grasp of most anyone who is determined enough to put in the time and training required.

So, How Do I Learn Neigong?

We get this question a lot.  The short answer is to find a good teacher near you (or be willing to travel to a qualified instructor).  It is best to learn under the guidance and in-person observation of someone who knows what they’re doing.

Provided the skills are known to them, a good Martial Arts, Qigong, or spiritual teacher from a Neijia 内家 system should be able to teach you effective—and even profound—neigong practices.  

However, it’s recommended that you don’t show up at a teacher’s door requesting high-level training.  Understand that these skills are earned.  This requires effort beyond establishing proper foundational skills .  Any good teacher won’t teach you certain practices until your ready and prepared for said training (see safety note, below).

Put in the work with a knowledgeable teacher and it will become a natural outgrowth of your practice.  In fact, with a skilled teacher, neigong will become the very process of your practice. You’ll start learning the principles before you even realize that’s what your learning!

Neigong Safety And Efficacy

While Neigong is generally principle based—you still need a “form,” or practice, in which to apply the principles.  

There should be a certain level of competency within your form or practice before most (or any advanced) training is applied.  Otherwise, at best you will end up wasting time and energy—or worse, risk significant personal injury.

Think about this: What would happen if you plug a toaster (rated 110v.) into an outlet for a clothes dryer (240v.)?

The answer: Nothing good for the hairdryer.  

Neigong will increase your “voltage,” or Qi 气 flow.  While this is generally viewed as a really positive thing—it is important to pair the correct “appliance” (in this case your body), with the proper “voltage” (level of Qi transmission).   This is why it is imperative to have an established, and solid, foundational practice (like Qigong) to build neigong training into.

Good foundational practices are designed to “rewire” your system to be able to handle the increased energetic flow.

This is why neigong training of actual depth is not offered to the general public. Teachers who truly understand the potential of these skills are rarely so cavalier.  

Knowledgeable instructors know that teaching advanced practices without proper preparation is irresponsible and can even be dangerous.

A virtuous teacher will impart Neigong principles progressively, as a student achieves proficiency in their training—and not as a singular skill-set taught in weekend workshops. 

Neigong vs. Neidan

Another question we often hear is: “Neigong or Neidan, which is better?” The two concepts are intimately connected, but ultimately two very distinct processes, and a one-for-one comparison is not appropriate.

Neigong and neidan sound similar because they are indeed related.  And in some applications the practices are—to a degree—inseparable.  As concepts however, there are some significant distinctions—which are not really a “better or worse” kind of conversation.  Let’s take a quick look:

Nèi gōng (内功) is generally translated as “internal skill.”

Nèi dān (内丹) is generally translated as “internal alchemy.”

Both concepts share the character nèi 内, which translates as “interior.”  Clearly, both neigong and neidan have to do with accessing, building, and utilizing internal processes of Qi.

While a bit reductive (saving us some time), it could be said that neigong is concerned with “turning up the volume, or voltage” of Qi in the practitioner.  Whereas neidan, sometimes viewed as deep neigong processes, is focused on the transmutation of Qi (and other substances) in the body.

Ultimately, both categories of practice involve increasing ability and skill.

You can learn more in our helpful article: What Is Neidan?

Qigong vs. Neigong?

Here at Red Thread Institute, this not a question at all.  As you may recall, all Neijia 内家 (internal arts) training systems have neigong principles built in. 

Here, Neigong means Qigong taught, and done well.

Qigong should contain components of both Wàigōng 外功 (external skill) and Nèigōng 内功 (internal skill).  This is part of what makes Qigong so incredibly potent as a practice.

The obvious caveat is that proper training is progressive in nature.  So while foundational elements of structure, breath, and intention are essential to proper Qigong training—so too is the basis for advanced Neigong principles.

As your practice develops and grows, the level of internal energetic training will develop proportionally when taught by a competent and invested teacher.

And with proper instruction, foundational training, and expert guidance one may even begin the truly transformative process of neidan training and practices.