The simplest translation of qi (as given above) is
"energy", yet there is no one English phrase that can truly capture
its meaning. Everything in the universe (both organic and inorganic) is made up
of qi, but qi is neither purely material nor purely energetic. One translation
given is "energy at the point of materialising".
The qi of the body comes from three main sources -- the qi which we are born with, the qi we derive from food and the qi which comes from the air we breathe. In addition there is qi associated with each organ and qi protecting the body from invasion by pathogens (which prevents us from getting sick).
Disharmonies of qi can occur if there is not enough qi in an individual (known as qi deficiency), if one's qi get stuck (known as qi stagnation), or if qi flows in the wrong direction (known as rebellious qi).
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept of blood includes not only blood flowing through the arteries and veins as we know it, but also a substance flowing through the meridians. The pathway of blood is considered less important than its functions of continuously circulating, nourishing, maintaining and moistening various body parts. Blood and qi are considered to have a mutually dependant relationship.
Like qi, blood can also be deficient when there is not enough of it, or stagnant when it gets stuck.
Body fluids are the liquids in the body other than blood which moisten and nourish the hair, skin, flesh, organs, bones, joints and, of course, the brain. These fluids are derived from food and regulated by qi.
In order for there to be balance in the body, the qi, blood and body fluids must flow smoothly. Does yours?
The qi of the body comes from three main sources -- the qi which we are born with, the qi we derive from food and the qi which comes from the air we breathe. In addition there is qi associated with each organ and qi protecting the body from invasion by pathogens (which prevents us from getting sick).
Disharmonies of qi can occur if there is not enough qi in an individual (known as qi deficiency), if one's qi get stuck (known as qi stagnation), or if qi flows in the wrong direction (known as rebellious qi).
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept of blood includes not only blood flowing through the arteries and veins as we know it, but also a substance flowing through the meridians. The pathway of blood is considered less important than its functions of continuously circulating, nourishing, maintaining and moistening various body parts. Blood and qi are considered to have a mutually dependant relationship.
Like qi, blood can also be deficient when there is not enough of it, or stagnant when it gets stuck.
Body fluids are the liquids in the body other than blood which moisten and nourish the hair, skin, flesh, organs, bones, joints and, of course, the brain. These fluids are derived from food and regulated by qi.
In order for there to be balance in the body, the qi, blood and body fluids must flow smoothly. Does yours?