Chi, also called "ki" or "qi," is a concept from Chinese martial arts and medicine. The word represents personal energy and is associated with the breath, with a focus on the energy of living things. Chi power training is a way to improve your understanding of control of chi.
Good
Chi is viewed as an ever-present energy source that flows through and around you at all times. Better understanding and directing chi can help you relieve stress and work through minor emotional problems. Proponents of chi as a concept claim that the right power chi training can help relieve chronic illnesses and increase your lifespan. Acupuncture and many forms of massage are based on chi concepts.
Bad
Because chi is invisible, and much of the benefits of chi are self-reported, and thus subject to a placebo effect, it's easy to mislead somebody about the effects and benefits of chi. Although the visualization and relaxation effects of chi exercises have been proven effective, unscrupulous charlatans do attempt to make money by convincing the unwary of magical chi power abilities. As with almost anything else you are offered, if somebody describes benefits of chi power training that seem to good to be true, they probably are.
Bizarre
Claims of the effect of chi power training take on a mystic, almost religious tone in some circles. Among the things some people have attributed to chi power are immortality, the ability to cure cancer and the ability to deliver punches or other strikes to harm an opponent without touching him. Although some practitioners of chi power training can put on impressive displays, none of these claims have undergone systematic testing to verify or refute.
Breathing
A basic tai chi exercise called "fill the vessel" is an introduction to chi power training. To perform this exercise, sit or stand quietly and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you inhale, visualize the energy of the breath filling your torso from navel to collarbone. As you exhale, visualize the energy flowing out from collarbone to hip. This simple exercise shows how to focus on energy for relaxation and stress relief, the first stage in learning about chi.
References
- Kerry Collette; Tai Chi Instructor; Hillsboro Parks and Recreation; Hillsboro, Oregon
- "Tai Chi For Busy People"; Dr. Keith Jeffrey; 2003
Member Comments