The internal Qigong styles are from soft to hard

Several internal martial styles were created in the Wudang and Emei mountains. Popular styles are Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Liu He Ba Fa, and Xingyiquan. However, you should understand that even the internal martial styles, which are commonly called soft styles, must on some occasions use muscular strength while fighting. That means in order to have strong power in the fight; the qi must be led to the muscular body and manifested externally.

Therefore, once an internal martial artist has achieved a degree of competence in internal qigong, he or she should also learn how to use harder, more external techniques. That is why it is said: "The internal styles are from soft to hard."