The preservation and extension of ones own life can take on many forms. Some choose to take artificial medicines (chemicals) in hopes of feeling better and extending their life. Other people rely on various forms of exercise, running, weightlifting etc. in hopes of becoming healthier and growing old with grace and stamina.

The chinese have some of the oldest and healthiest populations on this planet. They also have one of the oldest continuously improving cultures on the planet with volumes of history and data to back it up. It's not a coincidence that they have given the world several vital treasures. These treasures are the following;

1.) deep understanding of natural medicines (plants, animals, minerals)

2.) hei gung (chi kung / chi gong / qi gong)

3.) kung fu

These three gifts from china are intertwined and coexist very well together as a complete way of life.

Hung Gar Kung Fu begins hei gung at the early stages with the form "Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen" or Taming the Tiger Fist. The hei gungs are specifically designed to fortify the kung fu students internal and external health and well as introducing the concept of focusing their mind on the breath control techniques.

Hung Gar practitioners eventually migrate to advanced levels of Hei Gung using the "Tid Sin Kuen" or Iron Wire/Iron Thread Fist form. This form is used to fortify and vitalize the internal organs and stimulate the flow of hei (chi) within the body. Once the body can have its vitality and internal organs healthy and stimulated, the external body will reflect this as well.

In china, many 90 and 100 year old hung gar kung fu practitioners still practice their tid sin kuen hei gung every day.