Chi your life force

Chi refers to the natural energy of the Universe, which permeates everything. All matter, from the smallest molecules and atoms to the largest stars and planets, is made up of chi energy. It is the total energy force for life. It is the source of every existing thing. Chi has many manifestations. To the taiji practitioners of China it is known as “Chi,” but different philosophies and cultures call it by different names. Japanese call it “Ki.” Metaphysical science calls it “vital force.” The Indian and Hindu yogis call it “Prana.” Western science defines it as “biorhythm,” and New Age people and philosophers simply call it “cosmic energy.”

Naturally, in each manifestation the Chi is viewed and defined differently, but basically it is referred to as the same thing. It is the power which enables us to, move, think, live, and breathe – the energy that makes gravity act like gravity. It is what makes electricity electric. It is the link between our perception of the inner and outer universe

It is our connection to every flow of energy in the universe and the prime moving force within the human body. Chi is not breath; it is the power and energy that makes it possible for us to breathe. Chi is not only “energy,” it is what gives energy the power to be energy. Chi is the power or electricity behind movement and thought…and it is everywhere in everything. It is in the blood that flows through us, and oxygen we breathe.
It is difficult to define or understand Chi concretely. It cannot be seen. heard or measured, it cannot be touched, felt or captured. It is everywhere in everything, yet we have no way to make it tangible, or even prove its exists. Therefore Chi is a difficult concept to understand. The Western mind likes the tangible, the concrete and the specific.

Chi within the body is like electricity in a rechargeable battery. Occasionally it needs to be recharged or replenished. The Chi of our universe is inexhaustible, yet the body needs to renew fresh Chi to maintain its vitality. When you are exchanging the Chi within you with the Chi of the universe, you feel healthy and full of vitality. By energizing the body with Chi it is replenished or revitalised naturally, enabling it to fight off sickness and maintain good health. The true secret to replenishing Chi is controlled in our breathing.

Breathing in and out through the nose is the only method that allows the body to process Chi energy effectively and efficiently. Most people understand that breathing is most effective through the nose. When we breathe in through the nose, there are a series of defence mechanisms that prevent dust, impurities and cold air from entering the body.

A screen of nose hairs in the nasal passage traps dust and other particles that could permeate the lungs and cause injury if we breathe through the mouth. Next, there is a long nasal passage lined with mucus membranes, where excessively cool air is slightly warmed and very fine dust particles that escaped the hair screen are captured. Lastly, in the inner nose are glands which in most cases fight off bacteria that may have slipped through the other defences. The inner nasal passage also contains the olfactory organ that gives us our sense of smell, which can detect dangerous smells or fumes that could damage our health if we were to inhale them.

We are also expelling Chi from the body. But if we are always expelling the Chi, we don’t give it a chance build up in our body into the rich source of energy needed to complete our techniques to our maximum effectiveness. By exhaling through the mouth, we simply allow the Chi energy to escape back into the universe but breathing out through the nose, however, completes a closed circuit. By breathing out through the nose, rather than allowing the Chi energy to be expelled out the mouth with the carbon dioxide, we transfer it to the dan tien or hara, located about three finger widths below the belly button. With each breath we take in, more Chi enters the body and circles down to the dan tien, growing stronger. During this breathing process, the tongue is up, touching the top palate of the mouth just behind the front teeth and the air is expelled from the nose with a sounding audible hiss. There is also a feeling of the abdomen contracting down with breathing out .

Once enough Chi has been generated, the practitioner is able to move or direct the Chi with tremendous force. Remember that Chi is energy, an invisible force that requires much patience and long years of practice to understand. To relax and breathe effectively will benefit your training in building Chi. When your body and mind are working in harmony in a relaxed manner and you are breathing correctly, a extremely large amount of energy is able to flow through your body and mind. The idea is not to force it, just slow down, relax and concentrate on breathing through your nose. It comes naturally in time.