Chi can be freely translated as vital energy'

Chi can be freely translated as vital energy' or 'life force'. Every living thing in the
universe is said to possess chi. It is that which gives us life, the vital spark which
lets us live, move and function. When the term is applied specifically to human
beings, it refers to the energy freely circulating around the body. This concept is
shared by many cultures, notably the Indian Yogis, who call it prana, the Tibetan
tummo, and the Japanese ki. In the West the notion of a circulating life force
within the body is no longer fashionable but, in the past, it was a generally
accepted idea and was widely ascribed to in the cures of Anton Mesmer. Prior to
Mesmer the ancient Greeks referred to this energy as pneuma.
In Chinese medicine and chi kung (chi cultivation arts), chi is designated as a
'Yin' or insubstantial energy - it can be felt but has no obvious form, whereas the
human body has form and is a gross energy that is classified as 'Yang'.
The ancient philosophy of Taoism divided everything in the universe as either
'Yin' or 'Yang', and the universal symbol represents that idea (fig. 1). Yin is
anything which has a female quality — caring, yielding, softness, night, are
examples of what may be described as Yin. Its symbolic colour is black. Yang is
the exact opposite, representing male qualities of strength, aggression, hardness,
day, and whose colour is white.
When chi is strong, the body is vibrant and active; when weak, the opposite
occurs. In order to be strong and healthy, chi must be abundant and flowing
smoothly.
Fig. 1 Universal Yin/Yang symbol
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An explanation of how chi circulates is now in order. The body has 12 main
channels or 'meridians', which function like rivers distributing chi throughout
the body. There are eight extra channels whose function is to store and regulate
the energy, and generally act as reservoirs. Each channel is connected to an
organ and runs to a foot or hand, ending at the fingers or toes. The energy passes
along the channel to nourish and give life to that organ, and on through the
channels feeding the other organs. Between every one of the major routes there
are a countless number of tiny tributaries or canals. These interconnect all of the
main channels and supply chi to the skin.
When the chi is low, stagnating or blocked at a point, ill health and weakness
will result. At this time one of three options could be used to rebalance the
situation. An acupuncturist could diagnose the problem and insert needles at the
appropriate points to regulate the energy flow. A herbalist could administer
specific combinations of herbs after diagnosis. This would be to readjust the
behaviour of the energy within the organ and the smooth flow of energy along
the channel. In turn this would affect all of the channels through which the chi
passes. The third method would be to practise one of the three internal exercises
and martial arts of tai chi - pa kua, hsing yi, or chi kung. The combination of the
movements, breathing and calm relaxation could restore the energy back to
normal. The use of exercises such as these is usually as a preventive against ill
health, rather than a cure. When the malfunction in the body has reached a
critical point, medical treatment is usually called for to redress the balance. This is
then followed by the exercise therapy to reinforce the treatment and maintain
the return to balance.
The ageing process is also governed by the quality, strength and smooth flow of
vital energy in the body. If the organs are not functioning at their peak, the body
will never reach its potential, shortening the life-span of the individual. Until the
early part of this century there were longevity schools in China, where old
masters would train their followers with the aim of a vastly extended life
expectancy. To reach the goal the internal martial arts, chi kung exercise, dietary
control and the taking of specific herbs and extracts were followed. The results,
apparently, could be spectacular, with schools full of centenarians in some
instances. The students must have possessed a great deal of dogged determination
to follow such a spartan regime, while also being able to afford the extremely
expensive herbs and extracts required.
In the practice of acquiring chi, certain points of the body are of special interest.
At these points chi can be regulated and strengthened. The most prominent is the
tan tien, which is situated two inches below the navel. This is the hub of all tai chi
activity, and the place where energy circulation starts and finishes. By building
up energy at this point, the chi can be made to flow into the main meridians, and
strengthen the body. Almost as important as the tan tien is ming men (or the 'life
gate') which is situated on the spine in the small of the back. This is sometimes
called the 'back tan tien' and is a very important point not only in chi kung, but also
in acupuncture.
The major point in the foot is called yong guan ('bubbling well'), which is
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situated on the sole and is the starting point of the kidney meridian. The kidney
chi plays a major role in the health of the body; being at the beginning of the
channel is of great significance. At the other end of the body you will find the
point called bai hui, which can be found on the top of the head. At this junction
the energy flow of the head and the onward flow of energy can be controlled.