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Internal Arts of China; Defining Our Terms - Part I

Nov 5 / Fernando Bernall
"If you wish to converse with me, define your terms". ~ Voltaire
Voltaire’s timeless advice is the ultimate secret to unlocking the internal arts. Internal arts such as Tai Chi, Qigong and others, possess a deeply specialized lexicon; without a clear understanding of this unique language, your physical and energetic progress will inevitably stall. To move past a superficial practice and truly cultivate skill, we have to know exactly what we are talking about. Let's define the foundational terms that bridge the gap between theory and mastery.
When stepping onto the path of internal martial arts like Tai Chi, Baguazhang, or Xingyiquan, the first hurdle isn't physical coordination—it is the language. Beginners are often bombarded with traditional terms like Qi, Yi, and Dantian. 

Without a clear, practical understanding, these vital concepts can sound like mystical "woo-woo" rather than the precise biomechanical blueprints they actually are. 

It continually astonishes me to meet Tai Chi students who have "studied" for years, yet remain completely unfamiliar with the foundational terms of the art. It begs the question: is this a failure of instruction, or does the practitioner simply undervalue the theory? True progress requires a bridge between movement and meaning. When we ignore the terminology, we miss the very blueprints of the internal arts.

I believe that clarity is the foundation of mastery. Internal practice isn't about chasing esoteric mysteries; it is a highly structured method of training your mind, breath, and nervous system to change the way your body moves. 

This post is the first of a series that aim to bring a better understanding of the language we speak during class both in our local studio and online Tai Chi classes. 

To help you build a bulletproof foundation for your practice, I have put together a beginner's dictionary to Neijia (内家) (Internal Martial Arts). Bookmark this guide, study the terms, and use them to unlock deeper understanding during our future training sessions.

The Foundational Framework 

Every movement in the internal arts starts with understanding the relationship between your mind, your energy, and your physical center.
Chinese Characters
Pinyin
Term
Mechanical & Practical Definition
内家
Nèijiā
Internal Family / Arts
A classification of Chinese martial arts prioritizing mental focus, structural alignment, and relaxation over raw muscular force (Li).
气 / 氣
Qì
Vital Energy / Breath
Biomechanically, the coordination of deep diaphragmatic breathing with the nervous system to oxygenate tissue and efficiently move the body.
意
Yì
Intention / Mind-Will
The laser-focused mental directive. An ancient maxim states: "The Yì leads the Qì, and the Qì leads the body." Where you look and focus, your energy goes.
精
Jīng
Essence / Vitality
The biological baseline of health, constitutional strength, and tissue integrity. It is the fuel that is refined into active energy.
神
Shén
Spirit / Presence
The higher mental and spiritual awareness. It is reflected in a practitioner’s clarity of mind, calm demeanor, and the focused sharpness of their eyes.
丹田
Dāntián
Elixir Field (Lower Dantian)
Located a few inches below the navel and deep inside the pelvic bowl. This is your physical center of gravity and the reservoir for movement.

Understanding Your Core: The Lower Dantian

If you only remember one term from this list, make it the Dāntián. In the West, fitness systems often talk about "engaging your core" by tensing the abdominal muscles. 

In Neijia, we do the exact opposite. 

While there are three key Dāntiáns in the body, martial arts almost always refer to the Lower Dāntián. Located roughly three finger-widths below your navel and two inches deep inside your pelvic bowl, this is your physical center of gravity and the reservoir where Qi is cultivated and stored.

Training Tip: Every movement in Tai Chi should originate from the pivoting and shifting of your Dāntián, not from pulling or pushing with your shoulders.

The Lower Dāntián is treated as a heavy, fluid ball suspended inside your pelvis. Instead of locking up your stomach, you relax the lower torso so that your weight drops completely into this center. Every step you take, every turn of your waist, and every hand technique must originate from the rotation of the Dāntián.  If your arms are moving but your center is dead silent, you are not practicing internal art—you are just waving your hands in the air. 

The Virtual Training Blueprint.

When you are practicing through online Tai Chi video modules on VirtualTai.com, use your Yi (mind-will) to actively scan your body. Before you begin a form: Settle your awareness down into your Dāntián. Take three deep, slow belly breaths (Qi). Ensure your mind is entirely present (Shen). By actively connecting these pieces on screen, you program your nervous system for long-term health, balance, and deep internal power.

Why Language Matters in Virtual Training

When you are learning Tai Chi online like here at VirtualTai.com, you do not have me as an instructor physically shifting your hips or pushing your shoulders down. You have to rely heavily on visual cues and the terminology used in class to make your own micro-adjustments.

By understanding these terms deeply, you can instantly translate my instructions and  verbal cues into a physical change in your living room. When you know that Yi guides your Qi, your mental focus shifts from just "going through the motions" to actively directing your structural alignment.

What's Next?

This is just the first step in gaining proficiency in the blueprint of the internal arts. In our next article, we will shed light on Jìn (internal trained force) and the physical rules of alignment that allow a relaxed, soft posture to neutralize heavy downward compression and move with effortless structural strength.

Fernando Bernall
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