What is Qi and Why is it such a big deal?
Qi is often described loosely as “energy” or “vital force” that flows in the body. This is helpful in a simplistic way but does not paint the full picture. Qi is indeed one of the 5 vital substances in the human body according to Chinese philosophy and medicine.
These 5 vital substances are Qi (Energy/vital force), Xue (Blood), Essence (Jing), Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) and Shen (Mind). These exist in varying degrees of materiality where some are dense and physical, and others are more rarefied or non-material.
Qi is both material and rarefied!
The Chinese character for Qi exhibits the complexity of this substance perfectly. [See below] Interestingly, Chinese Medicine intrinsically comprehends rich ideograms or characters that contain multiple levels of meaning and interpretation that support an ancient living medicine existing thousands of years old and still evolving today.
The top part of the Character is qi/Air: immaterial portion = vapor, gas, steam
The bottom par of the Character is Mi/Rice: material portion = uncooked rice/grain
Qi is certainly an actual substance that can be palpated and flows in the channel system (Jingluo) or warp and weft of the human body, but it is also immaterial substance like vapor or steam with more energetic and subtle qualities.
More importantly, Qi is a relationship. One might say Qi is a dynamic and interactive relationship of yin and yang in the body that occurs in varying degrees according to various influences. Our unique constitutions have a pre-natal aspect given to us by our parents and a post-natal aspect that nurtured by our lifestyle, the food we eat, the air we breathe and our mental-emotional state. Everything in the Universe exists in relative portions of yin and yang.
In the Tao Te Ching, Verse 42, the perennial Taoist medical and philosophical Classic by Lao Tze, translated by Ralph Alan Dale states:
“The Great Integrity expresses One.
One manifests as two.
Two is transformed into three.
And Three generates all the myriad entities of the universe.
Every entity always returns to yin after engaging yang.
The fusion of these two polar opposites
Births the Vital Energy (“Qi”) that sustains harmony and life.”
———————————————————————————————————————————
0—> 1—-> 2—–> 3——> 10,000
This equation is often used in medical school to describe the above paragraph.
0 = the Void or Wuwei where all potentialities exist and emerge
1 = Yuan Qi or Original yinyang that exist as one
2 = the separation of yin and yang and Jeffrey Yuen says reflects the internal (ying) and external (wei) of the all bodies.
3 = Qi or the interactive relationship of everything in existence.
10,000 represents the infinite manifestations and possibilities that emerge from this Divine interactive relationship of Qi.
Where is Qi located and how does it move?
We now know that Qi is the animating force in the body that helps it heal and stay resilient in face of stressors. Qi flows specifically through physical and energetic pathways called “meridians” or “channels” (mai) that directly provide nourishment to the cells, tissues, muscles, bones, organs and glands.
There are 14 main channels that are linked to all our main organ system networks. There are several other adjunct channels systems that exist as well that consist of their own pathways and functions that link up the body in various degrees of complexity and consciousness.Chinese Medicine is an Art and a Science. See the Warp and Weft image above where we are woven together by pre and post natal influences.
An acupuncture channel (mai) is often compared to a river. And like a healthy and vibrant river, we like our acupuncture channels to flow freely without undue obstruction. When Qi stagnates or gets stuck, then disease or malfunction occurs, and bodily systems do not communicate as effectively with one another. This affects the integrity of the yin-yang relationship that can have multiple acute or systemic effects on our Body (body-mind-spirit complex). History is written in the river rocks and the Divinity of life unfolds the latent Essence as a “Rivers runs through it.”
Please see the movie “A River Runs Through It” by Robert Redford.
Why is Qi Relevant?
Holistic medicine is about relationships and the dynamic holistic functioning of our body. A more expansive view of the “body” can include the physical body, mind, and Spirit. Chinese medicine is the original core and energetic medicine through which other systems often try to mimic or simplify, but this rich and profound medicine is best understood when applied and practiced with a depth of understanding of its history, medical classics, and practical lineage transmission, not to mention the plethora of details that emerge over time and space.
Relationships are at the core of our lives. Perhaps the most pivotal relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Through the “slings and arrows” of everyday living, we grapple with survival and hopefully create the opportunity to evolve and learn to belong to our deeper purpose in life. Our interactions with family, friends, colleagues, community, and the environment provide a vast innerweb of information that belies love, faith and healing. Qi exists within all our relationships and different energies in fact are brought out in these relationships.
As we evolve, this ancient medicine evolves with us and our context of relationship shifts and expands.
When Qi gets stuck or disrupted, then its flow becomes restricted in other areas of the body. This blockage of Qi is harmful to one’s vitality and health, and can cut off essential nourishment to organs, tissues, and glands. Qi is a specific medical and functional term in Chinese Medicine and its cultivation and ability to assess, move and transform is essential to the well-being of human beings.
Are there different types of Qi?
There are many distinct types of Qi that we refer to in Chinese Medicine Physiology. Examples include Qi inherited from our parents (Source Qi or Yuan Qi), Qi ingested from our food (Gu Qi) or Qi breathed in and out from the air (Zong Qi), or Qi that flows in the meridians of our body (Zheng Qi). Each organ possesses its own qi or function as well, and of course, there is our body’s ability to protect itself (Wei Qi) that is heavily involved in our immune response. We can speak of Qi in so many facets via the infinite mechanisms of relationships (internal and external).
How does Qi become Blocked or Disrupted?
Qi becomes blocked or disrupted due to numerous factors including physical or emotional trauma, external or internal pathogenic factors, stress, lack of movement or exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet and lifestyle, accidents, excessive activity, or overwork.
Qi either goes with the flow or against the flow. When we go against the flow, pain and dis-ease follows.
“Be Like Water” is another favorite quote of mine by Lao Tze because it implies that health directly relates to going with the flow. This is easier said than done since we don’t live in a vacuum and most of us are not monks or spiritual adepts cultivating in a Himalayan cave. I would argue that even in these extreme situations, that going with the flow is not easy. It is continual act of Surrender to the unfolding of Grace in our lives. We must learn to listen to this still small voice within that speaks from God or Higher Power or Nature. When in alignment, all things unfold in perfect resonance and peace exists even in situations that our Ego does not understand.
Learning to Cultivate Qi as a resource for healing
Qigong is the Chinese martial art of internal alchemy where one learns to cultivate an inner reservoir of Qi that can be used for healing, immunity, and longevity. These meditative exercises and visualizations help to foster a deep sense of connection and spiritual awareness. As our spiritual awareness dawns and strengthens, we can become more available to our community and the Universe at large as we serve a greater purpose than our material existence. Destiny deepens and we might receive the opportunity to fulfill the deeper instructions for a meaningful life.
How does Dr. Loop OMD work with Qi and assist you in strengthening your qi?
As a Dr. of Oriental Medicine and healer with over 20 years of professional experience, Dr Loop OMD is adept at reading the personal state of your Qi by looking, listening, and feeling the body via Palpation, Tongue and Facial Diagnosis, Color Analysis, Pulse Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis and Applied Kinesiology. It is the dynamic relationship of your cells, tissues and organ network systems that exist in concert with your unique constitution and biographical history that paints a picture of your overall Qi.
An acupuncture session will not only help balance and tonify Qi to aid in healing pain and dis-ease, it can directly assist in promoting longevity, healing, and immunity .
Qigong as a meditative dance of integration
Dr Loop OMD can customize a private individual or group session employing Qigong, breathing exercises and/or meditation to further enhance the healing of specific ailment or foster pain-free living and deeper connection to Spirit.
Acupuncture Works!
Acupuncture is safe and effective. Expert detection of physical and energetic blockages in the body and channel system that can be alleviated by the insertion of fine filiform needles to restore the proper flow of Qi to provide nourishment, oxygen, and connectivity to all vital systems to prevent dis-ease, restore balance, and ultimately lead to optimal health and greater functionality.
What is Chinese Herbology and Formula Science?
Chinese Herbal Medicine can be grossly compared to the Internal Medicine division of the Western medical paradigm. Rather than just treating symptoms; however, the essence of formula science treats the root cause by treating the internal imbalances and aggravating symptoms that arise from the dysregulation of yin and yang in the body. Herbal formulas are the medicinal interventions that are prescribed by a Dr. of Oriental medicine. These therapeutic prescriptions have been honed and documented over the millennia to heal and treat disease patterns according to a differential diagnosis based on Chinese Theory and Physiology as well as the finely attuned professional interpretations of tongue and pulse.
Dr Loop OMD can customize herbal formulas to reflect your individual constitution and specific ailments or symptoms that nagging, recalcitrant or latent. 
More to come …
With Great Respect and Love, I Honor My Heart My Inner Teacher. Namaste.
