Understanding Qi

A. How Qi Is Produced and Stored

There is a place in the body where qi is produced and stored, it is called the Dan Tian. There are three Dan Tians. The Lower Dan Tian is located in the area of the stomach about 3 inches below the navel. The Doaists believe the Real Dan Tian is located higher at the center of gravity. Their viewpoint is that although the Lower Dan Tian can produce Qi, that area does not store the qi for a long period of time like the area at the center of gravity. Qi that is produce in the Lower Dan Tian is called Water Qi, it has the ability to cool the body, it is also called Yin Qi.

The Middle Dan Tian is located near the diaphragm. Qi that is produced here is called Fire Qi because it has the ability to agitate or increase energy in the body; it is also called Yang Qi.

The Upper Dan Tian is the lower center of the forehead connected to the brain. It differs from the first tow Dan Tians in that although the brain consumes large amounts of Qi, it does not in itself, produce Qi.

B. How Qi is Produced

Taking a close look at the makeup of the areas of the Lower and Middle Dan Tian we can understand the principle of how Qi is produced. These areas are comprised of layers of muscle, which conduct electricity, and fat accumulated in the fasciae, which insolate against electricity. When the muscles are moved, contracted and relaxed, the fat is turned into bioelectricity. When the bioelectricity encounters resistance from the fasciae layers, heat is produced. This sandwiching of the layers of good and poor conductors act like a battery and are able to temporarily store energy and generate warmth.

C. Cultivating Qi

Understanding how Qi is produced, one could assume that one should able to manipulate the body to produce a higher level of Qi. This is accomplished by breathing using the muscles of the stomach, called Normal Abdominal Breathing, rather than the muscles in the lung area. As one inhales, the stomach muscles are extended, and during exhalation the stomach muscles are contracted. It is a common practice to inhale through the nostrils and exhale through the mouth and with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. A person can increase the level of Qi either by sitting down or by standing, but the body should be erect and relaxed, not stiff. It is also very important that the mind be at a quiet state, not distracted by outside concerns. When cultivating Qi, the mind should be focused on the Lower Dan Tian.

What the Chinese know as Qi (chi) is known to the Western mind as bioelectricity. This electricity is throughout our entire body and an essential part of our ability to be alive and function. Qi stimulates glands to produce hormones. Qi is in every cell to promote cell production and cell replacement. It is understood that when qi levels are low, the body becomes vulnerable to disease and the organs do not function properly. The Chinese had an understanding of Qi, how it is produced and stored, how to cultivate it, and how to circulate it.

D. Quality of Qi

Just as a high level of Qi is important, the quality of qi is also important. The components necessary for qi production must be of the utmost highest quality. Better ingredients make better results. The quality of the air we breathe and the quality of the food we eat determine the quality of the Qi our bodies produce. Some foods are good conductors of electricity while others are poor. When we breathe good air, our bodies function more properly, and we fell better, healthier.

E. Circulating Qi

It is a natural thing for our bodies to produce Qi as well as circulate it throughout the body. Qi flows along pathways called meridians . There are twelve major meridians or channels and thousands of smaller meridians that extended to furthest part of our body. These meridians provide nourishment to the organs, the cells, the skin, the muscles, and every other part of our body. Vessels function like reservoirs they regulate the flow of Qi through the channels. When the flow of Qi is obstructed, certain areas experience ill effects. Organs may become diseased or function poorly which could lead to further problems to other areas in the body. When cells become weak, they can only produce new cells that are weak. It is not just the circulation of Qi that is important, but also the level and the quality of Qi.

After one has built up the qi level in the Lower Dan Tian, he then can control and circulate the Qi. This of course requires that one is relaxed and that his/her mind is totally focused. The mind is the key to leading qi throughout the body.

This perhaps is the hardest part of practicing Qi exercises. The body must be relaxed and the mind must be able to focus on the under layers of the muscle and even to the point of identifying which organs may be deficient of Qi.

With Normal Abdominal Breathing one can circulate the qi inside the body to nourish the organs and help repair any injury. This type of circulation is called Small Circulation. One can also increase the level of Qi internally by practicing Qigong exercises that build up the Qi on the outside of the body. The Qi in this case is referred to as Wai Dan or External Elixir. When the Qi level on the outside of the body is built up enough, it flows through the channels to the center of the body to nourish the organs. With Wai Dan Qigong exercises, the Qi is built up externally and with the mind the Qi is lead internally, thereby enhancing the natural way Qi is built and flows throughout the body.

With Reversed Abdominal Breathing, one can circulate Qi to the outer part of the body to nourish the skin, energize local muscle groups, and strengthen the Qi in the third eye area. This is called Grand Circulation. Reversed Abdominal Breathing is done by contracting the stomach area when inhaling and extending the stomach area when exhaling. This is what is experienced when one is frightened. Qi levels in the Middle Dan Tian are elevated and can be instantly directed to the muscles in a fight or flight situation.

One can also increase the level of Qi externally by practicing Qigong exercises that build up the Qi internally, or on the outside of the body. The Qi in this case is referred to as Nei Dan or Internal Elixir. When the Qi level is built up enough internally in the vessels, it then flows to the exterior to nourish the limbs. With Nei Dan Qigong exercises, the Qi is built up internally and with the mind lead externally.

Yin and Yang

Qi energy manifest in two forms: yin and yang. Everything in nature is in a process of orderly change. Everything that changes-everything that grows, decays, or is in motion-involves the flow and balance of yin and yang as complementary forms of energy. All phenomena, including the things that happen within our bodies, involve both yin and yang. Yang Qi is warm and active energy, Yin Qi is cool and receptive. The health of the organs depends upon the flow of Qi and upon the proper balance of yin and yang with each organ/meridian system. When the flow of qi along a meridian is obstructed or when the balance of yin and yang within an organ is upset, illness occurs. Qigong exercises help to maintain the flow of vital energy and to maintain proper yin/yang balance within the organs.

To followers of the yin-yang wuxing theory, everything in the world is either yin, the negative and feminine force, or yang, the positive and masculine force. The two forces complement and oppose each other. It is not difficult to understand yin and yang, if we think of "the complementary opposites" such as heaven and earth, positive and negative, male and female, life and death.

Wuxing which arises from yin-yang refers to the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) and their different characteristics. It is said that wood arises from water and prevails over earth; fire arises from wood and prevails over metal; earth arises from fire and prevails over water; metal arises from earth and prevails over wood; water arises from metal and prevails over fire.

The five organs of the human body are compared to the five elements and are said to behave likewise:

A. Liver complements the heart and opposes the spleen (earth).

B. The heart complements the spleen and opposes the lungs (metal).

C .The spleen complements the lungs and opposes the kidneys (water).

Click here to edit this text

D. The lungs complement the kidneys and oppose the liver (wood).

E. The kidneys complement the liver and oppose the heart (fire).