The Significance of Chi and Chi Kung

The Martial Arts are not just a way of practicing punches and kicks; they are also

a type of moving meditation for developing and improving mind, body and spirit. Internal

Martial Arts such as Tai Chi Chuan use internal power developed from internal energy

rather than relying on the power derived from physical movement and strength to

accomplish its goal. This internal energy is called Chi.

Two aspects fundamental to internal Martial Arts are Chi, or internal energy and

Chi Kung, or internal energy work. This essay will examine the significance of Chi and

Chi Kung in the development of mind, body and spirit.

Chi

Chi is a Chinese word that means air or breath. It is frequently translated as vital

life energy and the Chinese believe it to be a requirement of life. This is a spiritual or

supernatural energy and is part of a metaphysical, not an empirical, belief system. The

Chi in your body cannot be seen but it can be felt. It is the life energy that surrounds you

when you are born and can be developed. Chi is a part of who you are and remains with

the individual throughout life, dispersing only after death. Chi is the origin of our life

energy; in other words, our life is determined by Chi. A stronger flow of Chi will ensure

stronger life energy. Chinese tradition holds that Chi flows ceaselessly in the human

body. Whenever there is an interference of Chi flow, sickness occurs.

In Chinese philosophy, Chi is the eternal life force that moves through us and the

universe. Imagine that the body is a machine and Chi is the current that runs it. Without
the current, the machine is unable to function. Chi gives life to the body, permeating and

connecting all the organs and all the parts. Chi is also one’s connection to all of life, time

and space, the present, and energy.

The source of Chi is located at the tan tien, or centre of balance, a few inches

below the stomach. It is considered the centre of the spirit, soul, power and balance.

One’s Chi is the life force flowing through the body that keeps you healthy and

functioning. We all have Chi to a greater or lesser degree, ideally flowing freely through

our bodies. Life is the expansion and contraction of Chi and it is Chi that determines

human mental and physical well being. Our life follows a natural cycle of the growth and

fading of Chi. When Chi is present, there is life, when it has been depleted or unbalanced,

there is sickness followed by death if Chi flow is not restored.

Chi as a life force is the most widespread and traditional explanation. Chi as

biomechanical efficiency is the most provable explanation from a scientific perspective.

Defining Chi as a life force has its basis in Chinese philosophy and medicine. Chi is often

likened to a kind of fluid; common analogies include blood and electricity. Chi is also a

biomechanical efficiency used to describe the mechanics and workings of the body. The

one inch punch is an example of one’s mastery of Chi. It is a demonstration of the body

working as one integrated unit and using proper breathing and posture to make the most

of that one inch to generate maximum force to strike a target.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is founded on the idea that health is determined by

the balance, circulation and the strength of Chi. Poor Chi flow through the meridians, our

internal energy pathways of the body, can be caused by poor diet, poor lifestyle, illness,

or extreme mental and emotional stress. With smooth Chi flow, we experience a sense of
oneness with the wholeness of life. Chi connects the body, mind, and spirit and us to the

universe. The smooth flow of Chi is the key to physical health, emotional balance, mental

clarity, and spiritual integration.

It is the development of Chi in the human body that makes the art of Tai Chi

Chuan such a unique mental and physical system of discipline. To generate power, you

must first totally relax, gather your strength and then concentrate your mind and all your

strength on hitting the target. By harnessing all the energy available and delivering it in a

focused and concentrated manner, one is able to uproot a much larger opponent. Without

correct training and a clear understanding of the concept of Chi, the true value and

meaning of Tai Chi Chuan will be lost.

Development of Chi leads to internal power. A practitioner of the internal Martial

Arts can release Chi energy into a strike to give it more power. The slow movements of

the internal Martial Arts are used to build Chi and the explosive movements are used to

release it as internal power. The ability to emit Chi is not only used for self-defense but is

also used as a healing force with practitioners emitting healing Chi from their hands to

heal others. When Chi is full, balanced, and can flow without obstruction, the bodies

power can be optimally coordinated and unified for a specific purpose. When the tan tien

is full of Chi, we feel balanced and strong, both physically and mentally.

Chi Kung

Chi Kung is rooted in Taoism, the philosophy of being in alignment with the

natural order of nature. It was the early Taoist who over four thousand years ago through

their observations of nature became aware of Chi. They developed movements and
breathing exercises based on the natural movements of animals and the principle of Yin

and Yang to increase and balance their Chi.

The internal Martial Arts developed as a result of Chi Kung movements and

breathing principles. During the Liang Dynasty (502-557 A.D.), Martial Artist started to

use Chi Kung to increase the effectiveness of their arts. These exercises developed from

the first set of movements taught by Bodhidharma upon his arrival at the Shaolin Temple

in China. Any practice which improves the bodies’ ability to allow its energy to flow

freely throughout the body can be considered Chi Kung.

Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese system of healing and energy balance that

integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused attention. The second

word Kung means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice.

Together, Chi Kung means cultivating energy and is a system practiced for health

maintenance, healing and increased vitality. Chi Kung offers a method of training the

nervous system, the mind, and the internal organs simultaneously, so that the inner

strength of the whole person is raised to a new level of fitness.

In Chi Kung, the mind is focused on directing the energy. There are a wide

variety of Chi Kung practices and it covers a wide range of exercises and styles.

Although each system adopts a unique method, they all agree on the basic importance of

regulating the mind and deepening respiration. Chi Kung exercises vary from the simple,

internal forms to the more complex and challenging external styles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is

congestion or the blockage of Chi. Any practice or method which increases the flow of

Chi helps relieve congestion and is beneficial to health. The goal of Chi Kung is to
stimulate the flow of energy internally in the body so that it effectively circulates through

and clears the Chi channels and meridians.

Regulating the body, breath, mind, Chi, and the spirit are five important elements

of Chi Kung. The first step in Chi Kung training is to develop the mind (Yi). Only when

the Yi is calm and relaxed, will the body be relaxed and the Chi channels open for Chi to

circulate naturally and smoothly. The Yi leads the Chi. The more the Yi communicates

with the Chi, the more efficiently the Chi can be led. Yi is the key to Chi Kung practice.

Without the Yi, you will be unable to increase Chi or circulate it throughout the body.

One of the goals of Chi Kung training is the evolution of Shen or spiritual

essence. The highest attainment of Tai Chi Chuan is spiritual development which elevates

the art far beyond the level of an ordinary fighting system. Spiritual development in Tai

Chi Chuan involves three stages of cultivating Jing (essence) to become Chi (energy),

cultivating Chi to become Shen (spirit), and cultivating Shen to return to the cosmos. Chi

Kung is therefore the bridge leading from the physical (Jing) to the spiritual (Shen). Chi

is the energy source of internal power and Chi Kung is the method of transformation.

Chi Kung reduces stress, builds stamina, increases vitality and enhances the

immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic

and digestive functions. Those who maintain a consistent practice of Chi Kung regain a

youthful vitality; maintain health into old age, and recover from illness faster. Chi Kung

helps to increase concentration, decreases stress, and enhance the quality of life. By

practicing Chi Kung, one is able to strengthen and balance Chi circulation and slow down

the degeneration of the body, gaining not only health but a longer and happier life. Chi

Kung is not a panacea, but it is certainly an effective health care practice. Chi Kung adds
mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements that creates an awareness of,

and influences dimensions of our being that are not part of traditional exercise programs.

The major goal of Chi Kung practice is mental peace and calmness. Chi Kung

improves mental focus and clarity of thought as well as facilitating harmonious energy

flow for better physical and emotional health. The Chi which flows through our bodies is

influenced by the energy of heaven and earth. In order to have a healthy and harmonious

life, we need to connect and balance the energy within us, and to be in harmony with the

universal energy of heaven and earth.

The foundation of mastering the internal structure of Tai Chi Chuan is energy

work. Tai Chi Chuan involves learning to use energy in each posture. The mind generates

a thought and the thought leads the Chi to the corresponding parts of the body which

performs the requested action. The key to Chi Kung is in learning to lead the Chi with the

mind. This can substantially enhance the strength of a Martial Artist and increase

efficiency of technique.

The concept that transforms internal energy into internal power is called the

Condensing principle. Through condensing techniques, energy is drawn into every cell in

the body and condenses down, tighter and tighter to fit into less and less space. The

denser the energy becomes, the more explosive the internal power. The resulting

transformation changes the vibrating frequency of the Chi into internal power.

Tai Chi Chuan without Chi Kung is no longer Tai Chi Chuan; it becomes a form

of gentle exercise which may provide some health and recreation benefits. Internal

energy is what makes Tai Chi Chuan unique and is what distinguishes it from the external

forms of Martial Arts. Chi Kung practice can transform the human Central Nervous
System into a fluid system in which there is virtually no lag time between conscious will

and body movement. A great deal of fighting prowess of the internal Martial Arts derives

from the absence of the Central Nervous System lag time. When reaction time is

minimal, the internal Martial Artist is able to change fighting techniques faster than an

opponent can and is able to integrate his separate body components into a unified and

powerful single unit. The structure of internal energy is what allows the body to move as

a whole. Without Chi Kung, the Tai Chi Chuan form is but a dance.

Conclusion

Chi is the universal energy that connects all of us together as well as connecting

us to the universe. The holistic approach of Tai Chi Chuan develops both the external and

internal body. Martial Arts masters have said that practicing the Martial Arts without

developing Chi will have been wasted training. Through Chi Kung, we become one with

ourselves and as one with the universe. The fundamental value of Chi Kung and its

resultant affect on Chi will lead to a calm and clear mind, a healthy and strong body, and

spiritual enlightenment.