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Qi,
Nourishing Our Body for Health and Youthfulness
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| Qi,
similar to the word energy, is a term combined with
descriptors that make distinctions about how it works in
nature and in the body. |
| There is
no exact correspondence between Western Science and
Eastern Philosophy. |
| Western
Science has developed from reductive reasoning over 200
years ago. Late 20th century and the present
scientific model of quantum theory more closely resemble
Eastern Philosophy. |
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Western Science
Compared to Eastern Philosophy
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Subtle-Yang
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Wave
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Boundless
Infinite Unity
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Dao
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Subtle
Energies
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Quanta
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Yang
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Radiation
and Light
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Heaven
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Bio-magnetic
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Yang
Qi
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Bio
electric
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Mechanical
Interactions
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Yin
Qi
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Chemical
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Earth
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Structure
(e.g. Bone)
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Yin
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Substantial-Yin
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Particle
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 Eastern
Philosophy is an ancient science developed empirically
with a holographic mindset over 5000 years ago.
Ancient
monasteries were the first scientific observatories.
These scholars found relationships that served very
practical applications for health and happiness and
success. |
| The old
Taoist Masters believed that it was Qi that animated our
physical bodies and kept us alive. What we eat, drink,
come in contact with and even "think" can
affect the quality of our Qi. Various exercises that we
now call Qigong (Chi Kung) are the results of the work
that these ancients developed to strengthen the body and
spirit and help it to transcend the limits of the
everyday. Li Ching-Yuen was born in Sichuan Province in
1678 AD and died in 1928, living to the ripe old age of
250. He was an herbalist and an avid Qigong practitioner |
| Qi Gong
is the self-study of how energy works in Nature and the
Body-Mind. Humans in other cultures have been studying
this relationship to nature since the very beginning. Qi
Gong is based on acupuncture, and until the 1970’s was
exclusively taught only to individuals of the high
courts and generals of China. |
| As a
practical system of healing, Qigong is a simple daily
exercise system for maintaining good health. Among the
benefits are stress reduction and enhanced immunity. The
National Institute of Health (NIH) research is underway
in 12 universities across the country studying various
health benefits including lowering of blood pressure,
minimizing the effects of diabetes, reduction in post
operative recovery time, alleviating pain conditions. |
| Qi exists
throughout nature. Qi is what we call energy of all
kinds. |
| Energy is
dynamic, moves in spirals, continuously vibrating and
can not be created. |
| It
transforms into various levels of appearance from the
subtle to the physical. |
| There is
order in its movement. |
| Cultivation
of Qi accomplishes the development and improvement of
Jing which is compared to DNA or metaphysically, Karma,
the Qi of the Body which is known to be the metabolic
processes as well as the organs and their meridians
(energy pathways) and the Shen which is compared to the
metaphysical Spirit. |
| Acupuncture
is a Chinese
medical treatment involving the insertion of very fine
sterile needles into the body at specific points
according to a mapping of "energy pathways. |
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 When
qi is blocked there is congestion of blood or fluids
that produces pain in various places in the body. A
series of Acupuncture treatments can alter the blockage
and return the natural flow of energy to the areas being
treated. Symptoms are relieved and healing is promoted.
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| In
Chinese Philosophy, energy working in Nature is observed
as things changing and moving through cycles of Yin and
Yang. |
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 Yin
and Yang is the property of energy where there are two
aspects mutually arising and changing into each other.
Having
a dual nature, there is a relative relationship between
the two aspects of Yin and Yang when they are observed.
Yin is the female component and Yang is the male
component. |
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Some examples:
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Yin
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Yang
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Dark
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Light
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Interior
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Exterior
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Cold
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Hot
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Wet
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Dry
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Other
examples:
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Yin
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Yang
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Night
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Day
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Winter
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Summer
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North
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South
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Scholars have
been studying the changes between these phenomena for
all time. |
| It was
discovered that with an open and flexible mind one can
draw a correspondence with the changes from the cosmos
to the minute. The I
Ching (translates to The Book of Change and
the Su Wen and
Ling Shu which
are the compiled works of The Yellow Emperor’s
Classic of Internal Medicine. |
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expanded version of Yin and Yang was described as Wu
Xing or The Five Movements or Transformations also
known today as The Five Elements and served as the tool
to promote health and youthfulness |
| This
table of elements is often drawn circular. |
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Five
Element Correspondences of Qi |
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Five
Elements
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Wood
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Fire
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Earth
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Metal
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Water
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Spirit
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Hun-Spirituality
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Shen-Consciousness
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Yi-
Intention
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Po-
Intuition
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Zhi-
Instinct
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Virtues
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Kindness
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Love
/ Order
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Trust
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Integrity
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Wisdom
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Yin
Solid
Organs
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Liver
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Heart
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Spleen
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Lung
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Kidney
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Yang
Hollow
Organs
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Gallbladder
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Small
Intestine
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Stomach
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Large
Intestine
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Urinary
Bladder
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Sense
Organ
Sense
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Eyes
Sight
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Tongue
Speech
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Mouth
Taste
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Nose
Smell
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Ears
Hearing
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Tissue
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Nerves
Tendons
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Blood
Vessels
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Muscles
Fascia
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Skin
Hair
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Bones
Teeth
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Emotion
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Anger
Impatience
Irritation
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Joy
/ Excitement
Arrogance
Pleasure
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Worry
Meditation
Pensive
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Sorrow
Grief
Melancholy
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Fear
Extreme
Anxiety
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Effect
on Qi
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Aggression
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Apathy
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Resentment
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Anxiety
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Shock
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Qi
Manifestation
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Ascends
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Relaxes/Slows
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Stagnates
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Obstructs
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Descends
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Voice
Sound
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Shouting
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Laughing
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Singing
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Weeping
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Groaning
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Fluids
Emitted
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Tears
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Sweat
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Saliva
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Mucus
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Urine
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Body
Odor
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Rancid
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Scorched
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Fruity
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Fishy
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Putrid
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Season
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Spring
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Summer
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Late
Summer
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Autumn
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Winter
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Environmental
Influence
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Wind
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Heat
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Dampness
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Dryness
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Cold
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Development
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Birth
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Growth
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Transformation
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Harvest
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Storing
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Color
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Green
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Red
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Yellow
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White
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Black/Dark
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Taste
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Sour
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Bitter
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Sweet
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Pungent
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Salty
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Food
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Vegetables
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Grains
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Fruit
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Dairy
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Meat
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Effects
of Foods
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Astringe
Contract
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Eliminate
Descending
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Expand
Relaxing
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Accelerate
Dispersing
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Condense
Concentrating
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| The Study
of Nature is a lifetime process. Nature demonstrates the
physical, spiritual and conscious manifestation of
energy. We call the study of that Qi Gong. |
| True Qi
is described by Western Science now as the activity in
the Quantum Field, the field of infinite possibilities.
In Chinese Medicine and Philosophy, human beings are a
microcosm of the True Qi. The source of all Qi which
comes from the Void or field of infinite possibilities
which western science calls Quanta. |
| The
development from Jing Qi, ( the qi from the father and
mother), along with Air Qi and Food Qi, which becomes
the True Qi in the body is an example of how Qi is
designated and described by how it works. |
| There is
Shen or consciousness, Qi or metabolism, and Jing, where
the Protective Qi and Rejuvenating Qi come from. There
are many other descriptions relating to how Qi functions
in the body. |
| Demonstration
of one Qi Gong movement: “EARTH” and the effect on
the Lung primary channel |
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The Internal and
External Branches of the Lung Primary Channel
An
example of application of a Qigong exercise is
“Earth” for work related and prolonged sedentary
repetitive activities like driving a car and working
over a table or at a desk. Restriction of arm movement
often limits lung expansion. The energy of the
Channel-Organ System will often be weakened. The
“Earth” Qigong exercise brings awareness and
encourages opening the shoulder area gently to counter
the negative effects of lifestyle. Energy flow is
enhanced and with regular practice increases all the
aspects of the Lung - Lung Channel System for improved
health.
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| Application
of the 5 Element Chart with Eating according to the
Seasons |
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rising energy of spring is met by highlighting the menu
with bright green vegetables, lightly steamed and
blanched and raw sprouts. Appetite normally lessens
during this season and the use of the pungent flavors of
basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill and bay
leaf combined with sprouted grains, beans, and young
beets, carrots to provide the sweet taste helps
detoxification and regulates the liver during this
season. |
| A daily
dose of raw garlic or onions for a week of cleansing
during the days prior to and after the spring equinox
will help to purge the body of parasites. |
| During
the Summer, excess amounts of sour, bitter (lots of BBQ
and beer), sweet and cold foods and beverage will cause
lung congestion and summer colds. Moderate use of spice
will help the body adapt to the heat and reduce the
craving for sweet foods in the summer. |
| Alternative
teas to drink are chrysanthemum, skullcap can help cool
the body and chamomile is soothing. |
| Late
Summer season is unique in the effect on the body. It is
a subtle but dramatic shift from the more expansive
energy of the Spring and Summer. Darker days and colder
weather will cause the body to contract. |
| Balancing
the body and assisting the transition is the more
harmonizing flavor of sweet tastes. They also replace
moisture lost during the hot summer. The mild bitter
taste of root vegetables, nourish the body in the Late
Summer providing replenishment of vital minerals. |
| Mildly
sweet flavors of round yellow vegetables along with
millet and corn will help maintain center as the
pendulum shifts. A short, up to a three day single grain
fast and a vegetable or a fruit fast may be appropriate. |
| During
the Autumn season dryness prevails and a dry condition
of the lungs may develop from an imbalance of diet in
the Late Summer or excess activity. To counter this
effect, foods that moisten can be emphasized are eggs,
dairy or soy if appropriate for your body and mild
sweeteners like barley malt, rice syrup, cooked honey,
sweet fruits of apples, pears, loquat may be
appropriately added to the menu. |
| Small
amounts of pork will help rebuild yin fluids in the
body. Mild salt seasoning to cooking and seaweed will
aid in moistening the lungs gently. Adequate amounts of
pure water or spring water is important to nourish yin
fluids. |
| Take care
with the more drying flavors of bitter, aromatic and
warming foods and cooking styles when dry conditions
exist anytime of the year. |
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To
Achieve Health:
Be
flexible in mind and body.
Observe
nature in a practical way.
Live
simply.
Be
grateful and be open.
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| © 2005
Jacqueline Carboni, NMD |
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