| There is a subtle yet potent energy system | | | | When this Qi's flow is not impeded, you are |
| circulating in our body which in the traditional | | | | healthy but when it is blocked at any point within |
| Chinese medicine is recognized as Qi or Chi - | | | | the well distributed network or channels, then |
| loosely translated as "breaths." The Japanese | | | | illness results as the Qi energy is unable to reach |
| named it "Ki," while in Indian medicine it is known | | | | the affected part of the body that it is supposed |
| as "Prana." | | | | to nurture. This will result in the cells, tissue and |
| Qi energy or breath is extremely vital as it is | | | | organs to suffer and 'suffocate' due to lack of |
| considered the "life essence" or "vital life energy" | | | | the critical Qi. |
| that maintains and nurtures our physical body, | | | | The Qi energy that flows through the meridians |
| mind and spirit. It is often characterized as moving | | | | serves two highly important roles; one is to |
| energy that changes quickly and replenishes daily. | | | | protect harmful outside energy from entering into |
| This powerful energy is made up of electric, | | | | our body (e.g., bacteria and viruses), and the |
| magnetic, and is both an infrasonic (generating or | | | | other is to indicate the presence of harmful |
| using sound waves below that of audio-frequency | | | | energy already inside the body in the form of |
| range) as well as infrared vibrations circulating | | | | symptoms (e.g., aches, pains, heat or cold). Again, |
| through our cells, tissues, muscles and internal | | | | Kirlian photography is often able to verify this. |
| organs. For those who doubt its existence, the Qi | | | | Any type of disease or illness indicates that the |
| energy can be captured through Kirlian | | | | flow of Qi energy within the meridians or channels |
| photography, proving that it is a real force. | | | | is blocked or out of balance. The outcome of this |
| Although it moves and changes rapidly, the Qi | | | | is that one part of the body gets excess Qi |
| does not move haphazardly within us but through | | | | energy while another part gets too little of it. If |
| meridians or energy channels in our body. The | | | | this continues, then the organs in certain parts of |
| meridians form a network of interconnected | | | | the body will become overactive while the Qi |
| pathways within our body that links our organs, | | | | energy deficient part becomes underactive or |
| skin, flesh, muscle and bones as a unified force. | | | | fatigued. If this continues, the person will suffer |
| The network runs from deep within our organs to | | | | from some serious diseases - sooner or later. |
| the smaller ones; the surface of our skins. This is | | | | Akin to the air that we breathe, Qi energy is the |
| the same network that is used in Chinese | | | | very source of our vitality. It is the very essence |
| acupuncture practices which many of you may | | | | that supply us the energy to live a healthier and |
| have seen posters of human figures showing | | | | fruitful life. It inspires and drives us to live a life of |
| various dots and network of lines running from | | | | purpose. Join a Qigong class today. |
| top of the head to the tip of the toes. | | | | |