Chi and the Martial Arts
by Rich Robson Almost everybody has heard that martial arts practice is good for improving one's health. Indeed, in most ads promoting a martial arts studio, health is given as the reason right after self-defense for studying the martial arts. Most of us believe this claim without thought. While all of that is true, there is an area of health benefits, more powerful than those mentioned above, that is virtually unknown by the non-martial artist and, unfortunately, too often little understood by martial art instructors themselves! While the study of chi has been part of Oriental culture for thousands of years, it was unknown in the West until only a few years ago when Nixon opened the doors to China in the 1970s. It is axiomatic that the human body requires energy, or chi, to run efficiently. When it comes to human chi, there are two basic types of chi: pre-birth chi and post-birth chi. However, the chi produced by the metabolic process is not that which actually makes a person "alive."
The Twelve Primary Qi Channels - Part 1
Here will briefly review the twelve primary Qi channels along with the eight extraordinary meridians. You should also know the organ's Yin and Yang. In our body, there are six Yang organs and six Yin organs. Each Yang organ is associated with and harmonized by a Yin organ. Paired Yin and Yang organs belong to the same phase in the Five Phases. Their channels are sequential to each other in the circulation of Qi, their functions are closely related, and disease in one usually affects the other. In the limbs, the Yang channels are on the external side of the limbs while the Yin channels are on the internal side. The organs are further subdivided in order to distinguish the different levels of the Yin/Yang characteristics. Lung Channel of Hand Greater Yin The lungs (Yin) and the large intestine (Yang) are considered paired organs. In Qigong practice, since the lungs belong to Metal, they are able to regulate heartburn. Large Intestine Channel of Hand - Yang Brightness End of Part 1
Chi sensation
Qi
Etymology[edit] The etymological explanation for the form of the qi logogram (or chi) in the traditional form 氣 is "steam (气) rising from rice (米) as it cooks". The earliest way of writing qi consisted of three wavy lines, used to represent one's breath seen on a cold day. Definition[edit] References to concepts analogous to the qi taken to be the life-process or flow of energy that sustains living beings are found in many belief systems, especially in Asia. Within the framework of Chinese thought, no notion may attain such a degree of abstraction from empirical data as to correspond perfectly to one of our modern universal concepts. The ancient Chinese described it as "life force". Although the concept of qi has been important within many Chinese philosophies, over the centuries the descriptions of qi have varied and have sometimes been in conflict. Pronunciation[edit] Philosophical roots[edit] The earliest texts that speak of qi give some indications of how the concept developed.
Shotokan Karate
What is Shotokan Karate? Shotokan Karate is one of the most popular Martial Arts practised today. It has its root in the ancient Chinese Martial Arts and, in common with many Martial Arts, can be traced back to the early activities of monks at the Shoalin Temple. Although its early roots are Chinese, Shotokan was originally developed in Okinawa (a small island between China and Japan) and from there spread to Japan (where it was named) and has since spread to the world at large. Shotokan differs in style from other martial arts like Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan that emphasise soft, circular movements. Whilst Shotokan can be practised by people of all ages and abilities, like many other things in life, it is not for everyone. The History of Shotokan As there is no written history of the origins of Martial Arts , we must rely on word of mouth and legend. From the mid 14th century, Okinawa began trading with other islands and mainland neighbours. Gichin Funakoshi
