![]() |
|
---|---|
![]()
The Power of Opposites Chi (pronounced chee and also spelled qi or ch'i) is energy - the life giving, vital energy that unites body, mind and spirit. A concept that has its origins in early Chinese philosophy, chi has been likened to the yogic concept of prana and may also be thought of as life force. Chi can be described as life force, that energy which keeps you alive, if you had no chi you would not be alive. Strong Chi results in good health, strong immune system and a vitality which gives you the energy to live a full and happy life. A strong life force makes a human being totally alive, alert and present while a weak force results in sluggishness and fatigue. You can increase and develop your chi to overcome illness, become more vibrant and enhance mental capacity. Your personal energy can be increased through Chi Kung and moved around the body by using a Tai Chi form, like the Yang Style Long Form, which is what Riddlersend offers. Chi Kung is a series of refined movements which help to build energy reserves by increasing the strength of your individual chi energy. think of it like going to the gym and building muscles through weights and strength training getting ready for a sport like football, tennis or rugby. Whereas Tai Chi if like playing the sports using your enhanced energy reserves. The chi energy is moved around the body, using the meridians (as are used in acupuncture) by the Tai Chi movements. this can result in blockages, which usually contribute to illness and clearing the meridian pathways for the free flow of energy. This energy benefits the physical body, the mind and the spirit or emotional state. When Chi is more refined and energises all aspects of life seem brighter and full of energy, arts, business relationships, family life and much more. Strong chi brings about balance and clarity, which changes the inner dynamics of the mind and the relaxation of the body, bringing peace and serenity into a life in a troubled world.
Unbalanced chi causes your emotions to become agitated and distressed. Balanced chi causes your emotions to become smooth and more satisfying.
Tai Chi theories and principles are: The way chi flows has traditionally been described in terms of Yin and Yang energy. The balance of opposites as well as the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water. However we can also describe the movement of chi in modern language using words like; fast, slow, up, down, in, out, expanded, contracted, dispersed, concentrated, steady, volatile, meandering, straight and so on. The concept of a life force is found in most of the ancient cultures of the world. In India, it is called prana ; in China, chi ; in Japan, ki ; for Native Americans, the Great Spirit . For all these cultures and others as well, the idea of life force is or was central to their forms of medicine and healing. Chi is the natural energy of the body. When picking up a chair or digging the garden, you use your life force, or chi energy to perform the task. Tai Chi and Chi Kung help you take control of that energy and use it more efficiently. The Yin Yang symbol describes Chi energy. Yin Chi is the opposite of Yang chi. Where yang is hard, yin is soft, where Yin is feminine, yang is masculine, where yin is a valley, yang is a mountain, yin is dark and yang is light. Where Yang is giving yin is receiving. Chi energy needs to be in balance, so that the right amount of Yin and Yang Chi is contained in the body and mind. For example, If I do hard physical work with no intellectual content or vice versa, my system is thrown out of balance, and I need to address the opposite to bring about balance. Every person has their own levels of balance and Chi energy needs to be in balance for the body and mind to act in the most effective way. Balancing your chi energy using chi kung and tai chi will ultimately bring about an inner balance in your lives and bring clarity and satisfaction in all things. After all, we have been told 'all things in moderation' so equal amounts of yin and yang energy will bring about balance and happiness, living in the moment and not fretting about the past or the future. |
|