In pre recorded and recorded history of China, Japan, Tibet, India and other countries, life has been considered as a bio-electrical or vibrational energy phenomenon.
It is only because of the existence of this animating energy in our body that we can move, breathe, digest food, think and even feel.
Qi (also spelled Chi) is the Chinese word for this “life energy”. It is the animating power that flows through all living things. A living being is filled with Qi, a dead person has no more Qi, the warmth and life energy is gone.
In a super broad definition, it is energy that circulates our meridian channels. In essence, it is what gives our blood life, and gives us vitality and vigour.
Chi is the life energy, vital energy, the breath of life, it is considered as heat, light, electromagnetic energy, force, power and air. On a broader scale it is the energy that binds all things. The rocks, the mountains, the chair you are sitting on the tree outside all contain Qi, it is the energy of the cosmos.
When we have strong Qi, we are full of life, keeping healthy is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Without good health, we are pale, listless, and lacking in both motivation and strength.
You Can Develop The Quality of Your Chi
Lohan Qigong and ChenTai Chi is the art and science of regulating internal energy to improve health, calm the mind and condition the body. There is passive and active part of both 18 Lohan Qigong and Chen Tai Chi. Passive is using meditation, visualisation, intention and breathwork, normally while physically inactive. Active is more a focus on external movements, intention and breathwork.
The practice of Lohan Qigong or Chen Tai Chi helps to control your senses, calm the emotions and balance your energies, so that you can go beyond the noisy human mind and look inwards in order to restore awareness of the truth of your nature.
What’s Yin and Yang Got To Do With It?
It’s impossible to understand Qi’s impact on your health without first looking another important concept, Yin and Yang.
Yin and Yang describe opposing qualities of Qi. When Yang is outward, warm and light, Yin would be inward, cold and dark. You can’t understand any of these concepts without understanding how they relate to their opposite – such as good and evil. You know what good is only by knowing what evil is. Saying that, each of these qualities hold the seed of the other, this is symbolised by the small circle of the opposite colour within each of the colours.
In terms of their relationship with Chi, Yin and Yang are in a constant state of flux. They are perpetually changing, adjusting to each other, transforming into one another in their quest to “become”.
When Yin and Yang in your body entwine in a perfectly harmonious dance, you enjoy vitality, balance, wellbeing and health.
However, when Yin and Yang are in discordance, there is disharmony – sickness, and pain.
Where Does Qi Come From?
You are already born with some of your Qi, as a large part of it comes from your parents.
Original Qi (yuan Qi) is the Qi you inherited from your ancestors which will form your basic constitution. Yuan Qi is also the energy that permeates through the cosmos.
Protective Qi, also known as “defensive qi”, is the aspect of Qi that prevents external pathogens from invading your body and causing disease. Your body absorbs Qi from the air you breath and the food you eat. This is the reason why it is important to have good quality food, water and air so your body functions at its optimum.
Your health, both physical and mental, is the greatest treasure you have. So good Qi to you.
On a side note. Qi is a relatively new spelling of the term. The original spelling was Chee or Chi, so if you see it spelled any of these ways they are talking about the same thing.
