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Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong - Part 1

Qi, originally meaning "no fire"

The Chinese word "Qi" translates in English to "energy". Qi is the energy or natural force

which fills the universe. The Chinese believe in Three Powers (San Cai) of the universe:

Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di) and Human (Ren). Heaven Qi is the most important of the three,

consisting of forces exerted by heavenly bodies, such as sunshine, moonlight, gravity and

energy from the stars. Weather, climate and natural disasters are governed by Heaven Qi.

Every energy field strives to stay in balance, so when Heaven Qi loses its balance, it will

rebalance itself, through wind, rain and even tornadoes and hurricanes. Earth Qi is controlled

by Heaven Qi. Too much rain forces a river to flood or change its path, but without rain,

vegetation will die. The Chinese believe Earth Qi is made up of lines and patterns of energy, as

well as the earth’s magnetic field and the heat concealed underground. These energies must

also be in balance, otherwise disasters such as earthquakes occur. When Earth Qi is balanced

and harmonized, plants grow and animals thrive. Finally, each individual person, animal, and

plant has its own Qi field which always seeks balance. Losing Qi balance, an individual sickens,

dies and decomposes. All natural things, including mankind and our Human Qi, are determined

by the natural cycles of Heaven Qi and Earth Qi. Throughout the history of Qigong, people

have been most interested in Human Qi and its relationship with the energies of Heaven and

Earth.

In China, Qi is also defined as any energy which demonstrates power and strength, be it

electricity, magnetism, heat or light. Electric power is called electric Qi (Dian Qi), and heat is
called heat Qi (Re Qi). The weather is called Heaven Qi (Tian Qi) because it indicates the

energy state of the heavens. When a person is alive, his body’s energy is called Human Qi

(Ren Qi). Qi also expresses the energy state of something, especially of living things. When

something is alive it has Vital Qi (Huo Qi), and when dead it has Dead Qi (Si Qi) or Ghost Qi

(Gui Qi). When a person is righteous and has the spiritual strength to do good, he is said to

have Normal Qi or Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi). The spiritual state or morale of an army is called

its Energy State (Qi Shi).

Qi can represent energy itself, or the state of the energy. It is important to understand this

when you practice Qigong, so your mind is not channeled into a narrow understanding of Qi,

limiting your future understanding and development.

But now we will discuss the narrower definition of Qi that people today are most familiar with.

Among the Three Powers, the Chinese have been most concerned with Qi affecting human

health and longevity. After four thousand years emphasizing Human Qi, when people mention

Qi they usually mean the Qi circulating in our bodies.

In ancient Chinese medical and Qigong documents, the word Qi was written “ ”. This

character consists of two words, “ ” on top, which means “nothing”, and “ ” at the bottom,

which means “fire.” In ancient times, physicians and Qigong practitioners attempted to

balance the Yin and Yang Qi circulating in the body, so there was “no fire” in the internal

organs. Each internal organ needs a specific amount of Qi to function properly. If it receives an

improper amount, usually too much which makes it too Yang or over-energized, it starts to

malfunction, in time causing physical damage. The goal of acupuncture and the ancient qigong

precursors, Dao-Yin (guiding and leading) and Tu-Na (utter and admit), was to attain a state

of “no fire,” which eventually became the word Qi.

constructed of two words, “气” which means “air,” and “米” which means “rice.” Later

practitioners realized that post-birth Qi is produced by breathing in air and consuming food.

Air is called “Kong Qi”, literally “Space Energy.”

For a long time, people debated what type of energy circulates in our bodies. Many believed it

to be heat, others electricity, while others again assumed it was a mixture of heat, electricity

and light. This debate continued into the 1980s, when the concept of Qi gradually became

clear. Today, science postulates that, with the possible exception of gravity, there is actually

only one type of energy in the universe, namely electromagnetic energy. Light and heat are

also manifestations of electromagnetic energy. The Qi in our bodies is actually bioelectricity,

and our bodies are a living electromagnetic field. Thus, the Qi is affected by our thoughts,

feelings, activities, the food we eat, the quality of the air we breathe, our lifestyles, the natural

energy that surrounds us, and also the unnatural energy which modern science inflicts upon

us, such as radiation from cell phones and many other frequencies.

The following scientific formula represents the major biochemical reaction in our body:

glucose + 6 O2 ---------> 6 CO2 + 6 H2O

∆G0'= - 686 Kcal (energy content)

----> Heat

Light

Bioelectricity (Qi)

As you can see, rice is glucose, oxygen is air, and bioelectricity is Qi.

In China, the word “Gong” is often used instead of “Gongfu” (Kung Fu), which means "energy

and time". Any study or training which requires energy and time to achieve is called Gongfu. It

can be applied to any special skill or study requiring time, energy and patience. Qigong is a

science which studies the energy in nature. The main difference between this energy science

and Western energy science is that Qigong focuses on the inner energy of human beings,

while Western energy science pays more attention to the energy outside the human body.
When you study Qigong, it is worthwhile to consider the modern scientific point of view, and

not restrict yourself only to traditional beliefs.

The Chinese have studied Qi for thousands of years, recording information on the patterns and

cycles of nature in books such as the Yi Jing (The Book of Changes, 1122 B.C.), which

describes the natural forces of Heaven, Earth, and Human. These Three Powers manifest as

Heaven Qi, Earth Qi, and Human Qi, with their definite rules and cycles. The rules are

unchanging, while the cycles return to repeat themselves. The Yi Jing applies these principles

to calculate changes in natural Qi, through a process called The Eight Trigrams (Bagua). From

the Eight Trigrams are derived the 64 hexagrams. The Yi Jing was probably the first book

describing Qi and its variations in nature and man. The relationship of the Three Natural

Powers and their Qi variations were later discussed extensively in the book, Theory of Qi’s

Variation (Qi Hua Lun).

Human Qi has been studied most thoroughly, encompassing many different aspects. The

Chinese believe Human Qi is affected and controlled by Heaven Qi and Earth Qi, and that they

in fact determine your destiny. By understanding the relationship between nature and people,

and also Human Relations (Ren Shi), you may predict wars, the destiny of a country, a

person’s desires and temperament, and even their future. However, the greatest achievement

in the study of Human Qi is in regard to health and longevity. Since Qi is the source of life, if

you understand how Qi functions and know how to regulate it correctly, you may live a long

and healthy life. As a part of nature, you are channeled into its cycles, and it is in your best

interest to follow the way of nature. This is the meaning of Dao (Tao), which can be translated

as the Natural Way.

Many different aspects of Human Qi have been researched for over 4,000 years, involving

massage, herbal treatment, meditation, and eventually acupuncture and Qigong exercises.

Their use in adjusting Human Qi flow has become the root of Chinese medical science.

Meditation and moving Qigong exercises are used to improve health and cure certain illnesses.

Daoists and Buddhists also use meditation and Qigong exercises in their pursuit of

enlightenment. To be most accurate, the study of any of the aspects of Qi including Heaven

Qi, Earth Qi, and Human Qi should be called Qigong.

Read Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong Part 2.

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and

Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts

for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung

Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on

Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong - Part 2

The Real Lower Dan Tian

circulating in the human body. Qigong practitioners study and train the Qi circulating in the

body. Qigong includes many aspects, from how our bodies relate to Heaven Qi and Earth Qi,

to the overlapping fields of acupuncture, herbal treatment, martial arts Qigong, Qigong

massage and exercises, and ultimately spiritual enlightenment.

In ancient times, Qigong was called Tu-Na, which means to “utter and admit,” namely focused

breathing. Qigong depends on correct breathing. Zhuang Zi said, “Blowing to breathe, utter

the old and admit the new. The bear’s natural movement, and the bird’s extending (of the

neck), are all for longevity. This is favored by those living as long as Peng Zu, who practice

Dao-Yin, and nourish the shape (cultivate the body).”

Peng Zu was a legendary Qigong practitioner during the reign of emperor Yao (2356 B.C.),

said to have lived for 800 years. Qigong was also called Dao-Yin, meaning to use the mind and

physical movement to guide and lead Qi circulation. The movements imitate natural

movements of animals such as bears and birds. A famous medical Qigong set passed down for

nearly 2,000 years is called The Five Animal Sports (Wu Qin Xi), which imitates the

movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird.

Qigong and acupuncture view the physical body as having twelve major energy channels (Shi

Er Jing) in the body, branching into many secondary channels (Luo), similar to the blood

circulatory system. The primary channels are like arteries and veins, while the secondary ones

are like capillaries. The Twelve Primary Qi Channels are also like rivers, while the secondary

channels are like streams flowing into and out of the rivers. Qi is distributed throughout the

body through this network which connects the extremities to the internal organs, and the skin

to the bone marrow. The internal organs of Chinese medicine do not necessarily correspond to

the physical organs as understood in the West, but rather to a set of clinical functions related

to the organ system.

The body also has Eight Vessels (Ba Mai), called strange meridians (Qi Jing), that function like

reservoirs and regulate the Qi circulation. The famous Chinese Daoist medical doctor Li, Shi-

Zhen described them in his book, The Study of Strange Meridians and Eight Vessels, “The

regular meridians (12 Primary Qi Channels) are like rivers, while the strange meridians (Eight
Vessels) are like lakes. When the Qi in the regular meridians is abundant and flourishing, they

overflow into the strange meridians.”

When Qi in the eight reservoirs is full and strong, so is that in the rivers. Stagnation in any

channel leads to irregularity in the Qi flow to the extremities and organs, and illness may

develop. Every channel has its own particular Qi flow, its strength affected by your mind, the

weather, time of day, food you have eaten, and even your mood. In dry weather, Qi in the

lungs tends to be more positive, or Yang, than in wet weather. When you are angry, the Qi

flow in your liver channel will be irregular. Qi strength in different channels varies throughout

the day in a regular cycle, and at any particular time one channel is strongest. For example,

between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. the Qi flows most strongly in the heart channel. The Qi level of

the same organ differs from one person to another. When Qi flow in the twelve channels is

irregular, the eight reservoirs regulate it back to normal.

A qigong practitioner should become familiar with the energetic circulatory system of the

body, which is the same as used in acupuncture, though some channels or points have

different names depending on their usage. The body also has several energy centers, called

Dan Tians (elixir field), which act as a battery for storing energy to a higher capacity. It is
important to be familiar with the energy centers, vessels, meridians, and channels, and to

develop a physical sensation of them through practice. In this way, you can make subtle

adjustments in your behavior, diet, or exercise and keep your Qi balanced to avoid illness.

A sick person’s Qi tends to be either too positive (excess Yang) or too negative (deficient Yin).

A Chinese physician would prescribe herbs to adjust the Qi, or else insert acupuncture needles

at various points to adjust the flow and restore balance. The alternative is to practice Qigong,

using physical and mental exercises to adjust the Qi. This would be considered Medical

Qigong.

In Scholar society, Qigong is defined differently, focusing on regulating disturbances of the

emotional mind into a state of calm. This relaxes the body and enables Qi to rebalance and

circulate smoothly, so mental and physical health may be attained.

In Daoist and Buddhist society, Qigong is the method to lead Qi from the Lower Dan Tian to

the brain for spiritual enlightenment or Buddhahood. This place in the abdomen stores Qi in

abundant quantity, and this Qi is used to eventually reopen the third eye. Religious Qigong is

considered the highest and most rigorous level of Chinese Qigong training.

Martial Arts Qigong practitioners manifest their Qi to energize the physical body to its

maximum efficiency and power. Martial arts Qigong originated from religious Qigong,

especially Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong (Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui

Jing) which was derived by Bodhidharma, the 28th patriarch of Buddhism, during his time

spent teaching at the Shaolin Temple. The most profound level of martial arts Qigong training

is the same as that of religious Qigong, namely spiritual enlightenment. This involves a

lengthy process of regulating the emotional mind, while simultaneously refining the body,

breath, qi, and spirit, until the third eye is reopened.

The most basic Qigong, in which the practitioner doesn't need to know any qigong theory,

uses mostly physical effort and the mind is not involved very much. This can be aerobics,

dancing, walking or jogging in which the mind is just relaxed and harmonized. This does not

need special training, and is classified as secular Qigong. In intermediate Qigong, mental and

physical activity are combined in equal measure. This would be the slow-moving Qigong

commonly practiced, in which the mind is used to lead Qi in coordination with movement. With

slow, relaxed movements, the Qi led by the mind may reach deeper into the ligaments,
marrow and internal organs. Deep internal feeling can lead Qi there significantly. Taiji, White

Crane, Snake, and Dragon are typical systems of Qigong, cultivated intensively in Chinese

medical and martial arts societies.

At a deeper level of practice, the mind becomes critically important. It is actively involved

while you are in deep relaxation. This is cultivated primarily by scholars and religious Qigong

practitioners. There may be some physical movement in the lower abdomen, but the main

focus is cultivating a peaceful and neutral mind, and pursuing the final goal of spiritual

enlightenment. This practice includes Sitting Chan (Zen), Embryonic Breathing (Tai Xi Jing

Zuo), Small Circulation (Xiao Zhou Tian), Grand Circulation (Da Zhou Tian), and Brain

Washing Enlightenment Meditation (Xi Sui Gong).

Different Qigong practices aim for different goals. For a long, happy life, you need health of

mind and body. The best simple Qigong for health is the intermediate level, regulating both

body and mind. You may practice the Yin side through still meditation, and the Yang side

through physical activity. This balances Yin and Yang, and abundant Qi may be accumulated

and circulated.

To conclude:

1. Any activity able to improve Qi circulation is Qigong.

2. Qigong which emphasizes the physical more will improve physical strength and Qi

circulation, conditioning the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

3. Qigong activating both physical and mental can reach deeper, enhancing physical

strength and Qi circulation. By coordinating the relaxed physical body with the

concentrated mind, Qi may circulate deep inside the joints, internal organs, and even

the bone marrow.

4. Qigong which focuses on achieving a profound meditative state may however neglect

physical movement, causing physical health to degenerate. It is important to maintain

harmony and balance of both body and mind.

End of Part 2. Read Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong Part 1. This topic is explored in more

detail in several books and DVD programs.

Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts

for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung

Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the

past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives at the YMAA CA Retreat Center, California.