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What is Qi?
The concept of qi (pronounced chee, and
also referred to as ki by the Japanese) is
the basic foundation of Chinese
medicine. Qi cycles through the body in
channels or meridians connecting to all
of our major organs. Pain and illness
arise when the flow of qi is out of
balance or blocked. Qi Gong and Tai Qi
are exercises practiced to keep qi
flowing smoothly and thus promote good
health.
The function of qi in the body is to
transport, transform, hold, raise, protect
and warm. The various organs have
different relationships to qi and the
direction of its movement.
The concept of qi (pronounced chee, and
also referred to as ki by the Japanese) is
the basic foundation of Chinese
medicine. Qi cycles through the body in
channels or meridians connecting to all
of our major organs. Pain and illness
arise when the flow of qi is out of
balance or blocked. Qi Gong and Tai Qi
are exercises practiced to keep qi
flowing smoothly and thus promote good
health.
The function of qi in the body is to
transport, transform, hold, raise, protect
and warm. The various organs have
different relationships to qi and the
direction of its movement.
qi), which flows in the blood and the
meridians nourishing the internal organs
and the whole body.
So what is qi? The basic definition could
be “energy” in the way that modern
physicists use the term. It is the vital
force found throughout the universe and
can neither be created nor destroyed. Qi
is both ethereal and material,
continuously coming together and
dispersing to form an infinite number of
manifestations, from gas to solid, and
from mineral to animal. Qi exists without
life, but life cannot exist without qi.
meridians nourishing the internal organs
and the whole body.
So what is qi? The basic definition could
be “energy” in the way that modern
physicists use the term. It is the vital
force found throughout the universe and
can neither be created nor destroyed. Qi
is both ethereal and material,
continuously coming together and
dispersing to form an infinite number of
manifestations, from gas to solid, and
from mineral to animal. Qi exists without
life, but life cannot exist without qi.
For instance, stomach qi moves down, if
it becomes “rebellious” and moves
upward, we have nausea and vomiting.
Besides being “rebellious” or flowing in
the wrong direction, qi can also become
deficient, stagnant, and sinking.
Chinese medicine defines many
different forms of qi in the body.
Defensive qi (wei qi) flows outside of the
meridians, warming and moistening the
skin and muscles, protecting the body
from environmental factors, regulating
sweat and body temperature.
A more dense form is nutritive qi (ying
it becomes “rebellious” and moves
upward, we have nausea and vomiting.
Besides being “rebellious” or flowing in
the wrong direction, qi can also become
deficient, stagnant, and sinking.
Chinese medicine defines many
different forms of qi in the body.
Defensive qi (wei qi) flows outside of the
meridians, warming and moistening the
skin and muscles, protecting the body
from environmental factors, regulating
sweat and body temperature.
A more dense form is nutritive qi (ying
Linnie O'Flanagan, L.Ac.
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