Q:
Is it possible for Qigong exercises to build muscle? I am limited in the amount of time I can work out in a day and I am trying to get the best of all worlds. I would like to increase health, longetivity and muscle tone. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Re:
I don't think so. Not enough physical excercise to improve lean muscule tone. Perhaps some power building excercises from Nei Ja Chuan styles and help. Most Chinese are not concerned with looks and more concerned with eficiency in movement, alignment,all combined with breath training. Muscle mass or lean muscles are not valued much. The exception in the extensivee leg training in Internal styles such as Chen Tai Chi, Pa Kua, Hsin Yi and Liuhebafachuan. Again looks are not the issue, but a strong base and root are basic as a launching pad, along with a strong and flexible waist. In the West, upper body strength is values and in China, lower body strength is more empahsised.
