Can you define Chi (or Qi)?

9 Responses to Can you define Chi (or Qi)?

1. Mike is me | June 17, 2010 at 12:35 am |

   It is the internal flow of energy through each individual. It can also be described as the connection that is developed through man and the environment around him.

   Chi literally means breath though, coming for a Taoist perspective, breath equates as energy, and life, because without human would cease to exist.

   For scientific justification, hopefully you understand the concept of the neccessity of oxygen in human survival, but philosophically think of “breathing new life” the concept of CPR- enfusing another individual with your breath/energy and allowing them to continue to live.

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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2. josh.lost | June 17, 2010 at 1:35 am |

   it’s the same thing.

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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3. Ray H | June 17, 2010 at 2:35 am |

   Looks like you already have your definition.

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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4. Beatchanter | June 17, 2010 at 3:35 am |

   Ki (Chi or Qi) is a theoretical, universal energy source harnessed and used by all martial artists, or all styles. In Karate, the correct term for Ki is Chinkuchi, and the ‘ki’ in Aikido refers to the same energy. Qi-gong, and Tai Chi are not the only martial arts that emphasize Ki by far.
   Now, I call this energy source theoretical, as it can be experienced and used, but I don’t think it can be proven. (Experiencial, but not Quantifiable) You can use this energy to break bricks, or to move heavy objects, or to root yourself in place, but there’s no way to tell if it is because of Ki, or just normal physics used in a way that’s somewhat unexplainable.

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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5. Maowei C | June 17, 2010 at 4:35 am |

   Qi / or Chi/ is the same stuff like chakura (naruto) or ki in other martial art forms or medicollorine (Star Wars)… etc etc.. To the western world, it is some myth. But in reality, it is true. Qi energy can be measured by heat sensors, (Ref: National Geographics – Fight Science).

   For normal person, Qi can just be a protective energy that makes you healthy, and sometimes, when you are too tired or caught a bug, (your qi will protect you). However incases your qi is weak, then you will get sick (then your immune system will fight back). (ref: Chinese Medicine)

   For Martia artists, Qi is used different, to channel energy to a strike, to use for physical training, defence, mind control, or simply to induce harmony to your body. Qi can be used to stop spears, harden body parts, induce energy force into pins that can be thrown through ice walls, or simply meditate and for healing..

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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6. Ronin | June 17, 2010 at 5:35 am |

   Chi is right up there with phlogistin and the easter bunny.

   Chi simply has never been measured in any scientific test.

   Here’s how I see it. When masters get old, their students still respect and fear them enough that they always let the master win. This is explained with some mystical force. The plain fact is that an 80 year old man would get the living crap kicked out of him by a young strong barely trained street punk who has been in a few fights. No matter how much chi mastery the old man had.

   And having some part of your body get hotter is no evidence of chi. It’s simple bio-feedback.

   http://web.utah.edu/stc/tai-chi/articles.html

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7. nabu m | June 17, 2010 at 6:34 am |

   I think it’s what we now call adrenaline.But some chinese monks taught it’s some kind of magic and invented martial arts that use the inner strenght.

   my opinion

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8. Bluto Blutarsky10 | June 17, 2010 at 7:35 am |

   the problem is that “chi” has no uniform definition.

   unscrupulous teachers of tai-chi and all practitioners of qi-gong will tell you that there is something “magical” and you need to increase your “chi”.

   They will claim you can “take” chi from someone and use it. They will claim they can move objects or blow out candles without touching them.

   They are liars and frauds.

   Qi-gong for the most part has been exposed as bs.

   People attribute different definitions to chi so the confusion starts here.

   Structure, power (technique plus stregth), adrenalin, better blood flow (which leads to better overall health, generally), technique, etc. are all legitimate definitions.

   I think when it is used in tai chi, it is used in line (mostly) with the term structure and technique, however when a teacher simply says “do this form” and it will improve your chi- he likely doesn’t know what the hell he is talking about as he never bothered to ask his teacher. So he just says standing in an awkward position will improve it, when in reality not knowing that the position is a drill designed to do something besides make you look pretty.

   You touch on the Internal/external thing. Basically there are many opinions about internal/external. NIETHER has a power advantage that doesn’t directly relate to the person’s strength and technique. It is just about the method of delivery. There is no magic involved, or “secret” forces from inside, just technique and structure.

   You can’t “externalize” an internal thing for theraputic purposes, the point of internal is to be relaxed until necessary. You can’t translate the ability to hurt someone into the ability to heal unless it is hurting rosie o’donnel, then you might hurt her, but you heal the rest of the world.

   my opinion

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9. moon dragon | June 17, 2010 at 8:34 am |

   yes for qi gong and tai chi, but not for reiki. Reiki is considered something else, because it is channeled through the body from elsewhere.

   Qi (chi) is your internal body energy. It allows you to live and to move. Yes, it can be applied for therapeutic purposes.

   my opinion

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