Chi, a fascinating dimension of the orientals

Almost everyone has seen the spectacle of a martial artist hitting a powerful rock with his hand and breaking it in two. The hand is left in perfect condition, apparently a result beyond all logic. The answer that Easterners give to this phenomenon is Chi, or Qui, a Taoist concept that comes from a long time ago..

Not only martial artists, but also traditional Chinese doctors work with Chi. It is defined as a “flow of vital energy”. A life force that can be concentrated, released and allowed to flow, as desired. It is approximately equivalent to what in the West is called “energy.”

Chi, that vital breath, governs everything, according to the Easterners. The objective of different Eastern practices, such as Tai-Chi, acupuncture and reiki, among others, is to facilitate this free flow of Chi, or to reconcentrate it for a specific purpose.

The principles of Chi

It is believed that in the East people began to talk about Chi approximately 4,000 years ago. Since then it was believed that this force vitality circulates through the body, as if it did so through a series of rivers. Such rivers are called “meridians” in Chinese medicine.

For a long time It is considered that the way to make Chi flow is through breathing and meditation. They think that by breathing properly a person synchronizes with the rhythm of the cosmos. And meditating makes it easier for the vital force to break its stillness and stagnation, and, in exchange, flow through the body and mind.

Over time, the Easterners assumed that not only breathing and meditation helped vital energy flow. That’s why, They also included movement as a means to balance and harmonize Chi..

However, it was not just any movement, but specific ones that were grouped into what we know as Tai-Chi or Chi-Kung.

Types of Chi

For the orientals, the vital energy It is distributed throughout different areas of the bodyincluding the most remote areas.

Likewise, it is present outside the body. However, it is mainly concentrated in the kidneys and from there makes health and life possible.

This vital energy is of various types. The main ones are the following:

Zhong Qi. It is the type of energy that comes from breathing and is considered the fuel that the entire body needs to function. Oxygen is your engine and influences the functioning of your muscles, organs, hearing and voice.Chi of taste. This energy comes from the earth and all the processes that are carried out to absorb nutrients. This Chi is inseparable from blood. The flavor of each food defines which organ it will benefit: spicy/lungs; acid/liver; sweet/spleen; bitter/heart; salty/kidneys.Wei chi. It is said that this comes from the Chi of food and that it protects against infections, lubricates the skin and hair, although there is no evidence of this.

The role of Chi energy

For the 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.

The first sign that Chi is not circulating properly is excessive fluid production: urine or sweat. From this perspective, it is believed that Illness is 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 we seek is to enter a state of calm. Quieting the mind is a way to reestablish energy balance. If you want the body to be healthy, it is because it should not be an obstacle for the mind to be free and evolve.

There are practices that allow you to concentrate Chi in a specific area of ​​the body.. In martial arts, this is primarily done to the hands, arms, and legs. That is what, according to the Easterners, allows an apparently weak person to break a rock, or jump almost defying gravity.

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