Why Are Nei Gong Practices Available Outside China?

Jiaoshi Andrea
2 hours ago
3 min read

A student recently asked an interesting and legitimate question in the Discord group:How is it possible that Nei Gong and similar internal practices are available today, while in China many of these practices have been restricted or banned?

It’s an important question, and I want to be clear from the beginning: I don’t claim to have a complete historical or political understanding of what happened in China. I never researched this topic academically, and I don’t speak as an expert. What I share here comes from direct experience, conversations with people living in China, and my contact with teachers connected to these traditions.

Energy Practices and Government Control

I’m aware that certain Qi Gong movements in China grew very large and took on religious or organized structures. When a movement becomes big, structured around leaders, and attracts many people, it can be perceived as a threat—especially in a country where freedom is closely monitored.

From what I understand, this led to persecution and restrictions. Some practitioners disappeared, some teachers were targeted, and many masters chose to leave China altogether. They moved to nearby countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, or elsewhere, continuing their practice in a safer environment.

Even today, internal energy practices in China tend to stay very low profile. When we meet teachers there, it doesn’t happen in schools or public spaces. Meetings often take place in hotel rooms or private settings. Discretion is essential.

Why This Knowledge Survived

Internal energy work is not exclusively Chinese. India has the chakra system. South America has its own energetic traditions. These practices relate to the human body itself, not to one culture alone.

That said, Chinese traditions were exceptionally effective at preserving this knowledge across generations. Their discipline, repetition, and continuity allowed these practices to remain intact, practical, and functional. This is why Daoist and Qi Gong systems often provide concrete, experiential references to vital energy—something that otherwise would remain a concept.

Personally, before experiencing these practices, I didn’t believe in energy at all. Ideas like Qi or chakras sounded like abstract or even “hippie” concepts. Only direct experience changed that.

Nei Gong Outside China

Nei Gong is one of the systems that managed to survive this historical moment and make its way outside China. Today, it’s practiced worldwide. In the past five years alone, I’ve taught students across many countries and continents. I even have students living in China.

This doesn’t mean China is an easy place to practice. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp don’t work there unless you use special tools. Everything is monitored. If you don’t align with the system, life becomes complicated. That’s simply the reality of the country.

In that sense, practitioners outside China are in a very fortunate position.

Structuring the Teachings for the West

Traditional Chinese teaching methods are very different from what Western students are used to. Often, you’re given an exercise without explanation. You’re told to practice, and understanding comes later—if it comes at all.

The Nei Gong system was structured differently. The teachings coming from Shifu Jo and Shifu Lao, together with Shifu Costantino’s experience, were organized into a progressive, clear, step-by-step system. This made the practice accessible to Western practitioners without losing its essence.

The training itself is complete. Encounters with teachers in China are a form of respect and connection, not a requirement for progress.

A Rare Opportunity

Many younger generations in China are no longer interested in these practices. Even the sons and daughters of masters often choose completely different paths. What has been preserved is slowly disappearing in its place of origin.

This makes what we have today extremely valuable:a system that works, that is structured, that can be practiced safely, and that carries a clear ethical foundation—not driven by power, ambition, or money.

Despite restrictions and historical difficulties, a jewel from this tradition is still available to us.

And for that, we are truly lucky.