Literally, however, Qi Gong is Qi Gong Fu, or the deep study of qi. This depends on what the focus is of your study is, and what system you are training in. Qi Gong is oriented to either enlightenment, martial, or health systems. Water Mountain currently offers studies in tonic health practice and in martial Qi Gong. Regardless of your ultimate focus, the training starts in the same fashion.
WMMS practice is designed to first build health, and, second, build longevity.
The training becomes gradually more invested in one of the three branches as the student progresses, according to the student's desire. This tonic health study. Let us say that you have a ship meandering randomly across the sea. It has an optimal heading that will allow it sail smoothly. Tonic practice takes this wandering ship and steers it very gradually toward the optimal heading.