Writing, glossary
Qigong, neigong and neidan氣功 內功 內丹
Three words often used loosely, and how they differ.
Draft, under review by Nathan. The wording may change.
One of a few longer entries. The full glossary has the rest of the terms.
People use these three words loosely. The distinctions are still useful.
Qigong 氣功
Energy work. A modern umbrella term for many Chinese practices, generally not one specific practice. Usually gentle exercises with the breath, done for health.
Neigong 內功
Internal work. A broad term for many internal practices, used especially in the internal martial arts. More demanding and specific than most qigong.
Neidan 內丹
Internal alchemy. A staged process with its own methods: refining jing into qi, qi into shen, shen into emptiness. Qigong and neigong can prepare the body for it. They are not the same thing.
For more, see Qigong vs. Internal Alchemy.