I had a guy tell me last night that Qi Gong is really only good for health purposes. Now, the guy is a full fledge kook, but could you elaborate briefly to the masses on how Qi Gong and Power Training actually are the foundation for efficient fighting...Or something on that subject.

Danke,
Macaco fino
(owner of many different hairstyles...)

Most of the Chinese martial arts (especially the Internal arts) have some form of 'Qi Gong' training which supplements the forms and sparring practice. Qi Gong literally means "breath skill," and refers to exercises which are focused primarily on breath control. Obviously, the ability to regulate the oxygen intake and control the breathing is of great importance to any athlete, even more so for a martial artist. Your friend the Kook has a point, most of what is taught as Qi Gong is promoted as a health art, and there are many qi gong methods which have nothing to do with the martial arts. On the other hand, qi gong training was added to martial arts practice long ago in China, and modified specifically to increase the mind/body unity and power of fighters. This 'martial qi gong' was a combination of breathing exercises, various practices of focusing the intent and power training exercises specific to the individual styles. Macaco is right too (of course), without power training, you won't have the specific types of trained power necessary to make martial arts techniques work.

Spooky.