Breathing exercises (Qigong) are practiced to strengthen physique and exploit human body potential energy in Chinese martial arts . In a broad sense it is not just a method , but is a theory related to human body potentials . In the present day Qigong can be classified into the following types :
Soul-Particle Type (spontaneous type) is said to have been practiced by real ancient witches and wizards who believed that inside the human body exists the “soul particle” , a necessary matter of the human soul and a carrier of human sub-consciousness . The key to exercising this is to let one’s soul particle control oneself and to let one’s subconsciouness make 
spontaneous moves , so that the human potential energy can be strengthened through the exercises . The exercises were chiefly used to cure diseases and injuries of oneself and others . Its representative exercises are the Soul-Particle-Motion Technique .
The Internal Elixir Type was originally founded by Daoists as a part of alchemy . But also some Confucian scholars took part in it on the basis of the ideas in the “Book of Changes” . So , this type was a mixed product of Daoists and Confucian scholars , which was greatly improved . Exponents of this type believe that practicing this type of exercises will result in longevity , as if one has taken the elixir . Because of this belief and the pursuit of people for longevity , the Internal Elixir Type has become the mainstream of breathing exercises . It has formed a complete , complicated system aiming at the “great way” or longevity , not at any magic power .
The Martial-Arts Type does not have a defined origin . It cultivates the internal energy in human body . By stimulating this internal energy temporarily in some way , one can beat the opponent . Examples of this type are the light moving exercises , and the hard breathing exercises .
The Tibet, a Secret Type originated from Tibet , entirely for exploiting the human potential energy . It has developed a complete theoretical system with varied processes ranging from the ordinary processes to the high yoga processes . Its features are : murmuring the incantations , holding the seal and conceiving the wonder . But according to a general rule , the exerciser can only practice it after he is accepted to be a disciple of a suitable master . Such opportunities are so rare that they depend on predestination .
Other types include Indian Yoga and Western hypnotism .
What is meant by Qi (breath) is energy . That is to gather energy through mobilization of it by mind . Breathing Exercises (Qigong) are for gathering the energy . Energy consumption is required for metabolism , for working of the viscera and for manual and mental labor . “Man lives on a breath .” When breathing is suspended , energy is 
exhausted and life expires .
The Daoists have devised over a hundred methods for breathing exercises for achieving mental calmness and conserving energy , including the static , dynamic , and dynamic-static methods . The static methods are the main ones . There are about five chief methods for static breathing exercises –the Mind Cultivation , the Breath Cultivation , the Mind Preservation , the Apertures Conservation , and the Internal Elixir methods .
