Wai Tai Mi Yao (
The Extra Important Secret,
) by Wang Tao (
) discussed the use of breathing and herbal therapies for disorders of Qi circulation.
During the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties (960-1368 A.D., ), Yang Shen Jue (Life Nourishing Secrets, ) by Zhang, An-Dao () discussed several Qigong practices. Ru Men Shi Shi (The Confucian Point of View, ) by Zhang, Zi-He () describes the use of Qigong to cure external injuries such as cuts and sprains. Lan Shi Mi Cang (Secret Library of the Orchid Room, ) by Li Guo () describes using Qigong and herbal remedies for internal disorders. Ge Zhi Yu Lun (A Further Thesis of Complete Study, ) by Zhu, Dan-Xi () provided a theoretical explanation for the use of Qigong in curing disease.
During the Song dynasty (960-1279 A.D., ), Chang, San-Feng () is believed to have created Taijiquan (or Tai Chi Chuan, ). Taiji followed a different approach in its use of Qigong than did Shaolin. While Shaolin emphasized Wai Dan (External Elixir, ) Qigong exercises, Taiji emphasized Nei Dan (Internal Elixir, ) Qigong training.
In 1026 A.D. the famous brass man of acupuncture was designed and built by Dr. Wang, Wei-Yi (). Before that time, the many publications which discussed acupuncture theory, principles, and treatment techniques disagreed with each other, and left many points unclear. When Dr. Wang built his brass man, he also wrote a book called Tong Ren Yu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu (Illustration of the Brass Man Acupuncture and Moxibustion, ). He explained the relationship of the 12 organs and the 12 Qi channels, clarified many of the points of confusion, and, for the first time, systematically organized acupuncture theory and principles.
In 1034 A.D. Dr. Wang used acupuncture to cure the emperor Ren Zong (). With the support of the emperor, acupuncture flourished. In order to encourage acupuncture medical research, the emperor built a temple to Bian Que, who wrote the Nan Jing, and worshiped him as the ancestor of acupuncture. Acupuncture technology developed so much that even the Jin race in the distant North requested the brass man and other acupuncture technology as a condition for peace. Between 1102 to 1106 A.D. Dr. Wang dissected the bodies of prisoners and added more information to the Nan Jing. His work contributed greatly to the advancement of Qigong and Chinese medicine by giving a clear and systematic idea of the circulation of Qi in the human body.
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Later, in the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279 A.D., ), Marshal Yue Fei () was credited with creating several internal Qigong exercises and martial arts. It is said that he created Ba Duan Jin (The Eight Pieces of Brocade, ) to improve the health of his soldiers. He is also known as the creator of the internal martial style Xingyi (). Eagle style martial artists also claim that Yue Fei was the creator of their style.
From then until the end of the Qing dynasty (1911 A.D., ), many other Qigong styles were founded. The well-known ones include Hu Bu Gong (Tiger Step Gong, ), Shi Er Zhuang (Twelve Postures, ) and Jiao Hua Gong (Beggar Gong, ). Also in this period, many documents related to Qigong were published, such as Bao Shen Mi Yao (The Secret Important Document of Body Protection, ) by Cao, Yuan-Bai (), which described moving and stationary Qigong practices; and Yang Shen Fu Yu (Brief Introduction to Nourishing the Body, ) by Chen, Ji-Ru (), about the three treasures: Jing (essence, ), Qi (internal energy, ), and Shen (spirit, ). Also, Yi Fan Ji Jie (The Total Introduction to Medical Prescriptions, ) by Wang, Fan-An () reviewed and summarized the previously published materials; and Nei Gong Tu Shuo (Illustrated Explanation of Nei Gong, ) by Wang, Zu-Yuan () presented the Twelve Pieces of Brocade and explained the idea of combining both moving and stationary Qigong.
In the late Ming dynasty (around 1640 A.D., ), a martial Qigong style, Huo Long Gong (Fire Dragon Gong, ), was created by the Taiyang martial stylists (). The Well-known internal martial art style Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams Palm, ) is believed to have been created by Dong, Hai-Chuan () late in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 A.D., ). This style is now gaining in popularity throughout the world.
During the Qing dynasty, Tibetan meditation and martial techniques became widespread in China for the first time. This was due to the encouragement and interest of the Manchurian Emperors in the royal palace, as well as others of high rank in society.
Characteristics of Qigong during this period were:
