The Root of Chinese Qigong. Jwing-Ming Yang

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throughout the body.

      In a factory, different machines require different levels of current. It is the same for your organs, which require different levels of Qi. If a machine is supplied with an improper level of power, it will not function normally and may even be damaged. In the same way, your organs, when the Qi level running to them is either too positive or too negative, will be damaged and will degenerate more rapidly. The ancient Chinese character for Qi () was formed of two words. On the top is the word “nothing” () and at the bottom is the word “fire” (). This implies that Qi is “no fire.” That means that when the organs are supplied with the proper amount of Qi, they will not be overheated and “on fire.”

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      In order for a factory to function smoothly and productively, it will not only need high quality machines, but also a reliable power supply. The same goes for your body. The quality of your organs is largely dependent upon what you inherited from your parents. To maintain your organs in a healthy state and to insure that they function well for a long time, you must have an appropriate Qi supply. If you don’t have it, you will become sick.

      Qi is affected by the quality of air you inhale, the kind of food you eat, your lifestyle, and even your emotional make-up and personality. The food and air are like the fuel or power supply, and their quality affects you. Your lifestyle is like the way you run the machine, and your personality is like the management of the factory.

      The above discussion clarifies the role that Qi plays in your body. However, it should be noted that the above metaphor is an oversimplification, and that the behavior and function of Qi is much more complex and difficult to handle than the power supply in a factory. You are neither a factory nor a robot, you are a human being with feelings and emotions. Unfortunately, your feelings have a major influence on your Qi circulation. For example, when you pinch yourself, the Qi in that area will be disturbed. This Qi disturbance will be sensed through the nervous system and interpreted by your brain as pain. No machine can do this. Moreover, after you have felt the pain, unlike a machine, you will react either as a result of instinct or conscious thought. Human feelings and thought affect Qi circulation in the body, whereas a machine cannot influence its power supply. In order to understand your Qi, you must use your feelings, rather than just the intellect, to sense its flow and make judgments about it.

      Now a few words as to the source of human Qi. As mentioned, Chinese doctors and Qigong practitioners believe that the body contains two general types of Qi. The first type is called Pre-birth Qi or Original Qi (Yuan Qi, ). Original Qi is also called “Xian Tian Qi” () which, translated literally, means “Pre-heavenly Qi.” Heaven here means the sky, so preheaven means before the baby sees the sky. In other words, before birth. Original Qi comes from converted Original Jing which you received before your birth. This is why Original Qi is also called Pre-birth Qi.

      The second type is called Post-birth Qi or “Hou Tian Qi” (), which means “Post-heaven Qi.” This Qi is drawn from the Jing (i.e. essence) of the food and air we take in. As mentioned, the residence of the Post-birth Qi is the Middle Dan Tian (solar plexus). This Qi then circulates down and mixes with the Pre-birth or Dan Tian Qi (Original Qi). Together, they circulate down, passing into the Governing Vessel (Du Mai, ), from where they are distributed to the entire body.

      Pre-birth Qi is commonly called “Water Qi” (Shui Qi, ) because it is able to cool down the Post-birth Qi, which is called “Fire Qi” (Huo Qi, ). Fire Qi usually brings the body to a positive (Yang) state, which stimulates the emotions and scatters and confuses the mind. When the Water Qi cools your body down, the mind will become clear, neutral and centered. It is believed in Qigong society that Fire Qi supports the emotional part of the body, while Water Qi supports the wisdom part.

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      After the Fire Qi and Water Qi mix, this Qi will not only circulate to the Governing Vessel, but will also supply the “Thrusting Vessel” (Chong Mai, ) which will lead the Qi directly up through the spinal cord to nourish the brain and energize the Shen and soul. As will be discussed later, energizing the brain and raising the Shen are very important in Qigong practice.

      According to its function, Qi can be divided into two major categories. The first is called “Ying Qi” (Managing Qi, ), because it manages or controls the functioning of the body. This includes the functioning of the brain and the organs, and even body movement. Ying Qi is again divided into two major types. The first type circulates in the channels and is responsible for the functioning of the organs. The circulation of Qi to the organs and the extremities continues automatically as long as you have enough Qi in your reservoirs and you maintain your body in good condition. The second type of Ying Qi is linked to your Yi (mind, intention). When your Yi decides to do something, for example to lift a box, this type of Ying Qi will automatically flow to the muscles needed to do the job. This type of Qi is directed by your thoughts, and therefore is related closely to your feelings and emotions.

      The second major category of Qi is “Wei Qi” (Guardian Qi, ). Wei Qi forms a shield on the surface of the body to protect you from negative outside influences. Wei Qi is also involved in the growth of hair, the repair of skin injuries, and many other functions on the surface of the skin. Wei Qi comes from the Qi channels, and is led through the millions of tiny channels to the surface of the skin. This Qi can even reach beyond the body. When your body is positive (Yang), this Qi is strong, and your pores will be open. When your body is negative (Yin), this Qi is weak, and your pores will close up more to prevent Qi from being lost.

      In the summertime, your body is Yang and your Qi is strong, so your Qi shield will be bigger and extend beyond your physical body, and the pores will be wide open. In the wintertime, your body is relatively Yin (negative), and you must conserve your Qi in order to stay warm and keep pathogens out. The Qi shield is smaller and doesn’t extend out much beyond your skin.

      Wei Qi functions automatically in response to changes in the environment, but it is also influenced significantly by your feelings and emotions. For example, when you feel happy or angry, the Qi shield will be more open than when you are sad.

      In order to keep your body healthy and functioning properly, you must keep the Ying Qi functioning smoothly and, at the same time, keep the Wei Qi strong to protect you from negative outside influences such as the cold. Chinese doctors and Qigong practitioners believe that the key to doing this is through Shen (spirit). Shen is considered to be the headquarters which directs and controls the Qi. Therefore, when you practice Qigong you must understand what your Shen is and know how to raise it. When people are ill and facing death, very often the ones with a strong Shen, which is indicative of a strong will to live, will survive. The people who are apathetic or depressed will generally not last long. A strong will to live raises the Shen, which energizes the body’s Qi and keeps you alive and healthy.

      In order to raise your Shen,

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