Qi (Chi) Energy

Qi

Qi is the most dynamic and immediate energy of the body. This unique energy results from the interaction of yin and yang. It has been called "energy", "vital energy", "primal energy" and "life force". A healthy body is a wellspring of constant circulating Qi which moves around the body, in and out of the body, up and down within the body. Vibrant Qi has warming properties that bring about a sense of complete harmony and wellness.

Qi in the body�s functioning is like an electric current. Qi animates our being. Our meridians and organs are like the hardware: wires, transformers, power plants through which the electrical current (qi) moves and gets amped, stored, and routed. Every living being has qi, yet each of us is unique in our particular quality of qi. Qigong practices assist qi circulation and flow, storage, and regeneration. Our qi circulation and flow is dependent on how much and what kind of qi we received at birth from our ancestors, diet and nutrition, and overall lifestyle. Practices can transform qi into shen or jing and healing energy. In the old character for qi, there is an image of steam rising from a pot of rice on a fire. If the fire is continuous and appropriate to the proportion of rice to water, energy will show up as steam. If the fire gets too hot, the water dries up and not only the rice burns but eventually the container as well.

When the qi flow is disrupted, we accumulate the residue of incomplete vital process. This is the foundation of many illnesses. In the beginning of this disruption, there is stagnation. If the residue accumulates over time, we eventually lose the capacity to suspend them, and they are expressed as overt disease.

When Jing, Shen and Qi are interacting harmoniously, individuals live life at peak capacity. Everything seems to "click ". Our body, mind and soul are fully engaged.