What is Qi?

The Chinese believe that as well as the body being made up of individual organs, they also interact with each other on an holistic level connecting all the energies and functions of the internal organs. Contemporary physics has a parallel idea of the universe in Quantum Physics. Traditional Chinese Medicine works on the principle that if a particular organ is in poor condition, one should never look at it in isolation, but at the whole body to find the cause – for it is the root of the problem that interests them.

This philosophy contends that flowing throughout the body is what is known as ‘Qi’ or energy, which runs along a complex series of channels, known as meridians, these channels closely relate to the nervous and vascular systems, connecting all parts of the body. Qi then is found a the molecular level of the body’s system.

When Qi runs throughout the body freely, the body is said to be functioning at in it’s optimum condition. However if there are any blockages in the system or the flow is weak, then the body becomes ill. In this theory of how the body works, the body needs to be in harmony in order to work at its best. This does not just relate to the physical body, but to the mind as well. Many imbalances find their source in the brain – including stress.

A number of therapeutic practices use these principles including acupuncture and Qi Gong.