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Life force -

Chi is the vital life force energy that runs through all living things. It's invisible; the way we make contact with it is through its influence on our energy, other living beings, and physical forms.

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Energy -

Chi is a power, not a substance. It can be thought of similarly to the energy that lights a lightbulb. Although we cannot physically see it, it's in us and we are surrounded by it.

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Magnetism -

A magnet demonstrates how chi operates. When opposing forces (yin and yang/north and south) come together, they push and pull. But spun together, they generate electricity.

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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) -

In Chinese medicine, the body has its own energy pathway for chi to flow through, called meridians. It's believed that all vital functions occur due to the movement of chi and any changes that occur to the four different types of chi.

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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) -

They are: Yuan chi (primary chi), Zong chi (chest or lung), Ying chi (nutritive), and Wei chi (defensive chi).

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Oracle bones -

References to chi appear in the earliest known Chinese scriptures, known as the oracle bones. These writings date back to the 2nd millennium BCE.

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Recognized throughout Asia -

Although it's believed the concept of chi originated in China, it's recognized throughout Asia. It also aligns to spiritual observations made in Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, among others.

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Why is chi important? For our health -

If chi doesn't flow, according to the concept, there would be no life. Therefore, it's believed that in order to attain true health and wellness the chi must flow freely within.

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Why is chi important? For our health -

According to Chinese medicine, "Where there is free flow, no pain. Where there is pain, no free flow." Freely moving blood and chi are essential to pain-free health and vitality.

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Why is chi important? For our surroundings -

As chi animates physical forms, it's important that our living space also has free-flowing energy (feng shui), as this affects our own flow of chi.

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Why is chi important? For nature -

Chi is present in nature, and we can use nature to harness greater chi, particularly if we need a boost. Meditative and mind-body practices help us get back in tune with the energy of the universe.

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Why is chi important? For nature -

Eating locally, sleeping when it's dark and waking when it's light, and living in rhythm with the seasons are ways to harness chi from nature.

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"Way of Life" -

Living in a way that's aligned with these principles, in balance of yin and yang energy, is known as the Dao or "Way of Life."

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A set amount of chi to last a lifetime -

According to this philosophy, we are born with a set amount of chi that has to last us a lifetime. This chi is called jing (pre-natal chi).

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Burning our essence -

Activities that cause stress, overworking, and things we do that abuse the body burn our essence, making our life span shorter.

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Fight or flight -

Living in fight-or-flight mode, over time, taps our rest-and-digest state, making it slower. This slows down the movement of chi in the body.

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Chi stagnation -

When chi stagnation occurs, the entire body feels stiff and can be swollen, too. There are many signs your chi is out of balance.

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Signs your chi is out of balance: overwork -

You might stay up late and not sleep well, reaching for food that's convenient or alcohol to relax. If you work too much, not giving your body the time to heal and rest, your chi can easily get out of balance.

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Signs your chi is out of balance: burnout and anger -

Feelings of emotional irritability and anger, a sense of being burned out, low energy and fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles, and body aches and pains are all signs your chi is out of balance.

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Balance your chi -

Breathing, stretching, massage, and keeping regular mealtimes, with a low-stress lifestyle, are all ways to keep your chi in check.

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Balancing chi: acupuncture -

Acupuncture is an ancient way to help encourage the distribution of energy along the body's meridian lines. A session might be helpful if you feel your chi has become stagnant.

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Balancing chi: herbal medicine -

In TCM, herbs are prescribed to restore the balance between the ying and yang forces in the body. These herbs are powerful, and the same amount of precaution should be exercised when taking them as with pharmaceutical drugs.

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Balancing chi: massage -

Massage opens up the energy pathways (meridians) to movement, allowing both the chi and the blood to flow more freely in the body.

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Balancing chi: fresh foods -

Foods that are in season, and have traveled the least amount of distance to reach you, are higher in nutritive chi than others. Choosing to eat these can help to restore your chi.

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Balancing chi: exercise -

Exercise promotes healthy blood quality, to nourish the organs. This makes us healthy and strong. In particular, tai chi and qigong will connect us to chi energy.

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Balancing chi: meditation -

When we inhale more air (chi), we strengthen the mind-body connection. This air breathes life into our bodies, transporting life force to the organs and cells inside.

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Balancing chi: astrology and divination -

Astrology and divination can help bring awareness to our energetic patterns and blocks, so we can process and find healthy ways to move through them.

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Balancing chi: feng shui your home -

When there is a free flow of energy in your home or work space, creativity is enhanced. Without proper energetic balance in your spaces, chi becomes imbalanced and stress will follow.

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Balanced chi for a better life -

Having a strong energy field helps us bounce back faster from stressful or unforeseen situations. If you want to live your life with greater positivity, focus, and calm, be attentive to the state of your chi and take steps to balance and boost it each day.

Sources: (MindBodyGreen) (Better Health Channel) (AHA Wellness Academy)

See also: Does Reiki really work?

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