Feeling Energy?
I was recently asked by a student why they felt the"energy" moving through their arms and felt that it needed a more complete answer then what I was able to give her on the spot.
First let's define what I'm talking about when I refer to energy. White Tiger Qigong defines it this way: "Often translated as “vital energy,” Qi (pronounced “Chee”) broadly describes the energetic force that composes, connects and sustains all things in the universe. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its healing practices of Qigong and Tai Chi, redirecting and optimizing the flow of Qi opens us to our highest potential for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
According to TCM, all things, experiences, and beings are permeated with qi — which is essentially the invisible “glue” between mass and matter [E = mc²]. It’s the energy that occupies the space in between, so it’s also paradoxically everything and nothing!
This vital life force energy is both individual and universal, equally shaping our unique personal experience and the collective experience of the human whole".
Yo San University list 10 types of Qi (Other sources have slightly different lists);
White Tiger Qigong describes the energy in the body by three locations in the body.
"The first is what called "skin qi." This is the qi that moves through your body's meridians, channels, and associated collaterals. When the practitioner practices qi gong and feels warmth, tingling, heaviness, and fullness, they are experiencing awareness of the "skin qi."
The second kind of qi is "nerve qi." This is the energy we associate with the nervous system. This energy is best developed and trained through movement of the joints through their full range of motion while maintaining proper body alignments and mental intention. This kind of qi cannot be developed fully without body movement. Practitioners usually feel this kind of qi as an electrical kind of tingling or shock that they usually first notice in the area of their joints.
The third type of qi in our system of training is "bone qi." This is the energy, which runs through the bones. This type of qi energy is usually the most difficult to cultivate because in order for it to develop their needs to be a good balance and cultivation of the other two types of qi (skin and nerve). For the fullest development of this kind of qi energy, movement is necessary, especially rotational movement and articulations of the joints."
According to TCM, Qi travels through energy pathways in the body called Meridians. There are 12 Principal or Organ Meridians, beginning or ending in the hands and feet. Each Organ Meridian is associated with a specific organs (Yin and Yang) and one of the five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal or water. There are also 8 Extraordinary Meridians, These are not associated with a particular organ and do not have symmetrical pairs as the Organ Meridians do.
The flow of energy through these Meridians can be affected by many factors and TCM looks to identify and resolve energy stagnation and blockages, as well as imbalances between the Yin and Yang forces in the body, that can lead to psychological and physical disorders.
As you quiet the mind through the practice of Qigong (or many other modalities such as meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Breath work and even just walking in nature to name a few) one may experience the sensation of Qi moving through and around the body. This sensation can be a feeling of lightness or heaviness, a tingling or buzzing, the sensation of heat or cold in a particular location on, in or around the body, a gentle "magnetic" pull or resistance, a pulsing or vibration, or no sensation at all but hopefully that of inner peace. Feeling Qi will most likely be different for each individual and each time you practice.
Try not to focus on whether or not your are sensing the energy. Simply learn to enjoy your practice while losing the stresses of every day life while you go through your routines. Find serenity and tranquility in your practice and the rest will follow.
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