My Quest To Find Chi

The early 70s were a period of frenetic changes. At the center of these changes was a martial arts icon who became a legend around the world due to his incredible combat skills. Of course, we all know this legend’s name: Bruce Lee. Although his skills were unique and unmatched, he showed that ordinary people could defend themselves by knowing and mastering the martial arts of Kung Fu. And, underlying this art is the energy that Bruce Lee and other shaolin masters have tapped in to produce incredible feats and skills with seemingly little effort. This energy is called Chi and by drawing from it, women could overcome attackers, and children could defend even themselves from bullies.

I grew up in this decade, and although I did not take up kung fu, my interest was in the Japanese defense arts of Judo and Kenpo. In the beginning, I found scant traces of this mystical energy. You simply stood about and strike the air; I started to think that chi might be less of a reality and more of a myth. But, I watched shows of people smashing thick woods and bricks with their hands and head. Many of them were not even muscular. When they were interviewed, they touted this elusive energy called Chi.

I persevered on my judo and kenpo practices and as years passed, I began to feel something strange in me. I started to see the world without using my eyes and began to feel the world beyond myself. My intuition improved, and a sense of self transcended beyond my body. I slowly started to comprehend this chi, and to be aware that the movie stunts were the icing, and enjoyable, but that Chi was something else.

Wanting to know more about this Chi, I embarked on learning Tai Chi and Aikido and other internal arts. These techniques got me more excited since this strange energy began to feel growing and increasing within me, and I started to enjoy a profound sense of well being that made me feel more energetic and vigorous even during my youth. I started to realize certain aspects about Chi, which should be learned and experienced, if one really wishes to explore this subject.

In a spiritual sense, when people do certain forms of Tai Chi, they must lower their center of balance and hips, since this will give them a greater connection to earth. A greater connection equals a better perceivable energy that passes through your legs and into the tan tien, which is nothing more than a simple generator of energy.

If through the use of forms, you can activate the tan tien, then you can help the energy go upward through your body, which will activate the mid tan tien in your upper body, which in turn, activates the upper tan tien, in your head that will allow you to view your body from the outside looking in. Therefore, your body can be filled with energy until it becomes a battery that’s fully charged with supernormal energy.

You can use the energy of your body in various ways, and this offers a whole new field of learning if you’re a student of the defense arts. To delve into this understanding, you should try not to use your muscles, for your muscles have energy that is locked, which will stop the body, and will halt the intention that drives the energy, which stops the discharge of Chi. Rather, when striking, you would want to be like a noodle that eventually drives the energy through the attacker while not even tightening your fist and occupying the space of his body.
Whether it is called pneuma or prana, Chi is both an internal and external energy, which everybody possesses and can always be strengthened through a healthy lifestyle and practice of the internal arts. It is not hard to find. Whether you’re into Judo or Tai Chi, this energy is available for you, and it is The Way of The True Art.

Emily Farish Acupuncture
400 S. Jefferson, Suite 203
Spokane, WA 99204
Phone: 509-217-9262
emilyfarishacupuncture.com