CHI
Chi, Qi, Ch’i, (pronounced chee) is our vital life force energy.
In traditional Chinese culture, Chi is an active principle, forming part of every living thing. It is often translated as "life energy", "life force", or "energy flow". It is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts.
......................The literal translation of "Chi" is "breath", "air", or "spirit".
............Ideas and concepts similar to Chi can be found in many ancient cultures.
Chi is considered to be a form of all-encompassing life energy. This includes the original Chi that a person is born with, and the Chi a person acquires from air, water, food, sunlight, and interaction with the environment and nature. The belief is that a person will become ill or die when Chi is diminished or unbalanced and by replenishing Chi, by eliminating Chi blockages, and by correcting Chi imbalances, it is believed that health will be enhanced and/or restored.
..........................Chi can be restored or replenished with exercises such as
............................... Chi Kung, meditation, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
In T'ai Chi Ch'uan, the primary goal is to increase the amount of Chi, to improve the quality of Chi, to ensure that it flows freely and is not blocked. The goal is also to achieve a balanced Yin and Yang Chi.
Qi can be experienced in many ways. Most commonly, it is through warmth in the hands and feet or an itchy or tingling feeling in the hands. But the ultimate goal in T'ai Ch Ch'uan is not to feel the Chi, but to make sure it is not blocked and to be able to direct it by one’s intention.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it initiates the “relaxation response” by freeing the mind from its many distractions. This decreases the sympathetic function of the autonomic nervous system, which reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, dilates the blood capillaries and optimizes the delivery of oxygen and nutrition to the tissues.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it alters the neurochemistry profile towards accelerated inner healing function. Neurotransmitters, also called information molecules bond with receptor sites in the immune, nervous, digestive, endocrine and other systems to excite or inhibit function to moderate pain enhance organ capacity, reduce anxiety or depression, and neutralize addictive cravings.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it enhances the efficiency of the immune system through increased rate and flow of lymphatic fluid and activation of immune cells. resistance to disease and infection is accelerated by the elimination of toxic metabolic by products from the interstitial spaces in the tissues, organs and glands through the lymphatic system.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it increases the efficiency of cell metabolism and tissue regeneration through increased circulation of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the brain, organs and tissues.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it coordinates and balances left/right brain hemisphere dominance promoting deeper sleep, reduced anxiety, and mental clarity.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it induces alpha, and in some cases theta brain waves which reduce heart rate and blood pressure, facilitating relaxation and mental focus, this optimizes the body’s self regulative mechanisms by decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
When Chi is replenished and balanced it moderates the function of the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid system of the brain and spinal cord, which manages pain, and mood as well as optimizing immune function.
....................................... When correctly taught and practiced
.....................Chi Kung and T’ai Chi Ch’uan can
replenish and balance Chi.
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