Chi, A Fascinating Dimension Of The Orientals
Almost everyone has seen the spectacle of a martial artist hitting a stone with their hand and breaking it in half. The hand also remains, against all logic, in perfect condition. The Orientals explain that Chi or Qui, a Taoist concept that dates back a long time, is responsible for this phenomenon.
Martial artists are not the only ones who work with Chi. Traditional Chinese doctors also with this concept. Chi is the “flow of vital energy”.
The origins of Chi
Chi is estimated to date back to around 4,000 years ago. It was therefore considered that vital force which circulates in the body as if it crossed a series of rivers. These rivers are called “meridians” in Chinese medicine. This is roughly the equivalent of what Westerners call “energy”.
According to the Orientals, the Chi is this vital breath which governs everything. The objective of certain oriental practices, in particular Tai-Chi, acupuncture and reiki, is to facilitate this free flow of Chi or to concentrate it for a specific purpose.
Principles of Chi
L was breathing and meditation have long been considered as ways to let the Chi flow. Breathing properly allows individuals to synchronize with the rhythm of the cosmos. And meditating allows the life force to break through stillness and stagnation and, in return, flow through body and mind.
The Orientals assumed over time that breathing and meditation were not enough to release life energy. So they also included movement as a means of balancing and harmonizing Chi.
However, these were not just any movements, but specific movements that were grouped together in what we call Tai-Chi or Chi-Kung.
The different types
For Orientals, the vital energy is distributed in different areas of the body, including the most remote areas. It is even present outside the body. However, it is mainly concentrated in the kidneys, and from there it makes health and life possible.
This vital energy is of different types. The main types are:
- Zhong Qi. It is the type of energy that comes from breathing. It is the fuel that the whole body needs to function. Oxygen is its engine and influences the functioning of muscles, organs, hearing and voice.
- Chi d u taste. This energy comes from the earth and all the processes involved in absorbing nutrients. This Chi is inseparable from the blood. The flavor of each food defines the organ that will benefit from it: spicy / lungs; acid / liver; sweet / spleen; bitter / hearted; salty / kidneys.
- Wei chi. It is said to come from the chi of food and that it protects against infections, lubricates the skin and hair. However, there is no evidence of this.
The function of Chi energy
For Orientals, the health of the mind is inseparable from the health of the body. An imbalance in one of the two aspects immediately affects the other. Chi flows to keep a person alive and healthy, to restore balance, and to prevent the body and mind from weakening or deteriorating.
The first sign that Chi is not circulating properly is excessive fluid production: urine or sweat. L has disease would, in this view, a sign that this life force is not flowing as it should.
The way to regain balance is through meditation, breathing, applying pressure to certain parts of the body (through acupuncture or massage) and practicing Tai-Chi. The flow of vital energy also depends on the spiritual dimension.
From an emotional point of view, the first thing that is sought after is a state of calm. Calming the mind is one way to restore energy balance. The body must be in good health so as not to constitute an obstacle so that the mind is free and evolves.
Certain practices also allow Chi to focus in a specific area of the body. This concentration particularly concerns the hands, arms and legs in martial arts. This is what, according to the Orientals, allows a seemingly weak person to break a stone or jump almost defying gravity.
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