What is Qi (chee)?

What is Qi?

Qi. (Def): In traditional Chinese culture, qi, (pronounced “chee”) also called ki is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity. Literally meaning "vapor", "air", or "breath", the word qi is often translated as "vital energy", "vital force", "material energy", or simply as "energy.”

But what is it? How does it work? And how can it affect you? Let’s dig a bit deeper and unravel it’s mystery…

Pronounced “Chee,” Qi is a Chinese word that basically means energy. The vital life energy in all things—In the universe, in nature, and for now let’s talk about how it relates to your mind body, and if we dare— your spirit.

There is energy in every aspect of your existence. In every cell of our body, and even outside and around your body there are electrical impulses, signals, particles, and waves that interact with each other

On a grand scale, think of lightning or outer space. In the middle ground think of electricity running through a home. And on the smaller scale think of your nervous system and the small electrical energy running throughout your body. On a microscopic level, the atoms, electrons, quarks, and photons all dancing around miraculously. 

A few practical examples would be when you operate a remote control to open your car from across the yard or parking lot. Or maybe static electricity as you rub certain fabrics together as the “energy” interacts from your body.

And old trick I learned when I was young, was using a thread and small sewing needle and hovering it over your hand and using your mind, intention and thoughts to move the energy in different directions.

From a healing perspective, there’s chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, cranial-sacral,  reiki, and other “energy healing” practices. And all proven to be effective and beneficial to health and wellness. Even the ancient traditions and tribespeople practiced these methods thousands of years ago. 

In the martial arts, energy (Qi) is used to move energy through the body to nurture, strengthen, and protect the body as well as developing tremendous amounts of power that can help protect you physically and “direct” others in certain ways. The ideal strike, punch, throw, kick, block or attack is with nurtured and highly developed Qi energy brought forth simply with intention. It can be very, very powerful. But equally important to be nurtured and not wasted—like all energy, can be diminished quickly.

And just like moving currents in electricity in a home, you can literally move and alter energy in and around your mind and body WITH your mind and body. The essentials of the skill of Qigong (energy skill). You literally move Qi with the mind, you USE the mind to develop and move qi throughout the body.

The objective of working with Qi is to help develop, and then nurture energy throughout your body. This balances the mind, body and spirit. And a lot like building and storing energy or money as an example, you can deplete your Qi… so it’s important to start learning how to use it carefully. 

But we can also attain dangerous levels of Qi energy, so it’s equally important to “use” that energy or being careful of how and when you store it. Think of charging batteries and using things so the charge doesn’t run out.

So how to use energy?

Well, certainly Qi is useful in martial arts applications— after all that is where it was invented. But Qi can also be applied to every day life. For exercise, regular activities, games, chores, and any other movement activity. But Qi can equally be applied to the mind as well. In fact, it’s the mind aspect that is more important. 

Having “qi balance” in the mind provides more clarity, calm, confidence, and overall well-being. It aligns with a better mood, wellness, good health, and the ability for the “optimal Self.” 

So is Qi easy to develop?

Although there are some very simple ways to create energy (Qi) such as moving the body, deep breathing, imagining and contemplating, or intention—The best way to truly develop Qi is primarily through standing, sitting, and lying down meditation. Standing meditation allows you to work on several aspects simultaneously—balance, strength, endurance, posture, and awareness being some of them. When standing, you can easily practice focusing on where your energy is, where it moves, and where your energy is stagnant… and there’s a lot of more or less miraculous biological events happening throughout your body without you even knowing.

There have been numerous studies on bodily energy. Auras, signals, and literal evidential visual data exists showing the energy circulating around our bodies much like planetary orbits. Scientists and doctors are all fully aware of the magnificent energy that literally runs the heart, brain, and nervous system—the entire body.

Many martial arts are excellent Qi developing exercises, as is Yoga and many other practices. T’ai Chi and Qi Gong are certainly well known for developing incredible amounts of Qi. In fact a foundational component of them. Having practiced Judo, Kung Fu, T’ai Chi and Qigong now for over 40 years, I can say without a doubt that Qi is foundational, critical and apparent.

Thinking of Bruce Lee’s one inch punch, a well-executed Judo throw, or a beautiful yet powerful T’ai Chi form—are all initiated by intention and Qi. And Qi energy is about efficient use of “power”, not force. Simply put, energy is developed, nurtured and allowed to “flow” vs “force” which is literal forced or excessively pushed power that is very limited and short lived. And Qi is actually developed from gentleness or nothingness first. Very soft, very gentle—yet very, very powerful.

A real simple exercise is standing relaxed, and rubbing your hands together for about 30 seconds. This activates the nerves and energy in your hands. Then, gently and slowly separate you hands like you are holding a small soft ball. And very gently moving your hands away from each other about an inch, and then back again. I you are sensitive enough, you can actually feel the ball energy. And now imagine employing this with practice.

Sitting mediation allows you to focus on posture, mind control, focus, calmness, tranquility, and connecting with your deeper, spiritual Self. It simultaneously develops and nurtures Qi energy in a beautiful, gentle way. I like to think of Qi as a vital nutrient to my mind, body and spirit.

Lying down meditation provides a beautiful and supportive relaxation, ease-of-mind, and a more gentle body movements for those that suffer with physical discomfort. Much like napping or sleeping, it can sooth your energy and allow it to easily flow inside AND outside of you. And directed with intention, it can be felt moving around the body.

Any of these three though can all benefit your mind, body, and spiritual well being. Your Qi (vital mind, body and spiritual energy) will be developed, will grow, and if nurtured, provide a very balanced and healthy lifestyle.  

So while there is so much more to be known about Qi, these are some of the basics. And if you are open to it— I strongly encourage you to begin your own journey studying, practicing, nurturing, and TEACHING about Qi and it’s miraculous abilities.

Please email toddszen@gmail.com with comments or questions.