Qi, pronounced “Chee”, is an interesting word which describes many things. Part of the Chinese language, and it’s roots in ancient Taoist philosophy; Qi can still seem mystical to many. Taoism places humans as part of the Earth and wider universe, a microcosm within the macrocosm. Interconnected and interrelated, reliant on and responsible for the nature surrounding us.
Qi is invisible, yet tangible; it embodies and connects all living things. It is the essential life force running through us, our blood and tissue, our movements, thoughts, emotions, inner and outer self expression and awareness. Qi manifests in the nature around us; the formation of mountains, plants and trees, the movement of the oceans, the warmth of the sun, and the movement of the wind. We acquire Qi through the air we breathe, produce Qi through the food we eat, and both nourish and damage our Qi, through our lifestyle choices, experiences and spiritual connections. Qi is in us, and all around us in other living things.
We all know that how we eat, exercise and live our lives affects our health and wellbeing…so not such a foreign concept!
Think of cultivating a precious plant or flower. Preparing the soil with nutrients (Qi), choosing the best position for the plant to receive essential sunlight (Qi), and ensuring irrigation and watering (Qi) protecting from too much cold or wind (Qi). In these conditions a plant will grow healthily and thrive. The movement and action of the plant growing is also Qi. If this fragile balance is disrupted, petals will shed, leaves may shrivel, soil will dry, frost may damage the roots, and so on. The same happens in human beings.
In TCM, the smooth flow of Qi is responsible for keeping our body and mind in harmonious balance. This is integral to longevity and vitality of life. When Qi is not flowing freely, it can become stuck or deficient, and this results in many problems, e.g: pain, anxiety, tension, sleep issues, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance, headaches and many other conditions.
My role as a TCM practitioner is to nurture and cultivate body and mind, to enable you to thrive in optimum balance. I do this by influencing the flow of Qi through channels known as meridians, with Acupuncture, Moxa, Cupping and Massage. I also advise on how you can tap into your amazing capacity to heal yourself.
Contact me to see how we can let your Qi flow!
