What is chi? - Alternative Medicine Message Board

Harajuku · 06-05-2006, 09:48 AM

I know the word 'chi' is always used to describe alternative therapies, but I'm not entirely sure what it is. This article makes it sound really floaty:

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But I think the Chinese would disagree - they see chi as something really concrete, vital. Anyone have a better explanation?

peregrine · 06-13-2006, 06:19 AM

I didn't read the article, but Chi is basically energy; more specifically, it is often thought of as our vital life force.

moderator2 · 06-13-2006, 07:02 AM

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Hannigaholic · 06-13-2006, 01:04 PM

The way I think of Chi (and this isn't the 'traditional' description) is that it's about the flow of everything that needs to flow through the body. I think of it in terms of blood, electrical impulses, hormones, everything - so that therapies like acupuncture, in stimulating 'Chi' are stimulating the body's own regulatory systems so that it functions as best it can

like keeping an engine lubricated with oil so that parts can do their jobs right without wearing down

Anyway, that's how I 'rationalise' the idea of Chi to myself

SteveGn · 07-08-2006, 11:18 PM

Chi is electromagnetic energy as is EVERYTHING. Therefore, this electromagnetic energy obviously takes on many different forms....some forms, such as solid objects are simply more dense. Chi is more widely thought of as the vital life force energy as peregrine mentioned. An accupuncturist unblocks areas where the chi is blocked. Stretching everyday can help the chi flow more freely. Massage, especially deep tissue massage, can be very helpful also for releasing blocked up chi.