understand Chi

Table of Content
1/ What is Yin and Yang?
2/ To understand Chi
3/ How to apply Yin and Yang in order to cultivate Chi

1/ What is Yin and Yang?

The concept is first introduced in the book of ''The Oracle'', also known as ''The book of Change''. In this book, it use two symbols: ''---'' (a straight line) Yang and ''- -'' (a broken line) Yin. These symbols are used to describe the status of all objects being observed. They can be applied in describing the extension of slow and fast, big and small, and rigid and soft etc.

The object itself is neutral. Only when we want to describe or compare them, we apply Yin and Yang. For example:

1. The relative position of Sun and Earth is one scene. Day (Yang) and Night (Yin) is used to describe the phenomenon of brightness you observed from a specific location on earth.
2. Your lung is one object. Inhale (expand or Yang) and Exhale (Yin) is used to tell the status of the volume of the lung. Yet, from the direction of air moving. Exhale, out from our body is Yang, while Inhale, the air suck into our body is Yin.
3. Your arm is an object. When you stretching it, it is Yang. When you bent your elbow, we call it Yin.
4. ''I'' is one thing. Your ''I'' travel from your Tan Tien going out to finger tips, we call it Yang. While ''I'' come back from finger tips to Tan Tien we call it Yin.

It also depend on your point of view. Such as:

1. This leg is straight, it is Yang, that one is bend it is Yin. This is to the shape of legs.
2. Your bending leg support your weight, so it call Yang. The other is free from weight, we say it is Yin. It is to legs' function as holding weight.
3. Your straight leg generate post to your opponent. It is active, it is Yang. The other leg only support your weight, as a hinge, it is Yin. It is to the function of dealing with your opponent.

2/ To understand Chi

Chi is what that drive every trend of changes in our universe. We can say, the movement, the expanding of our galaxy is driving by this Chi. We can also say that the crazy stock market is driven by this Chi. The Chi from bigger environment will affect the circulation of the smaller environment. It is also true in reversal.

To the Chi of the larger environment, we can not change it, yet, we can follow it and redirect it at the right time and right place.

This is the ancient Chinese philosophy: to be a human being, we should complement the imperfection of the heaven and earth (mother nature). Yet, by following it, redirecting it to a more harmonic result, we can make the world better.

Here, our body is a small universe, your body, your circulation, everything is moving by a Chi we call ''Yun Chi''. A Chi that is born with you. When we are young, this Chi is very strong. And in good coordination. However, through the years the outside environment factors like: pressure, drugs and alcohol make this Chi aging. Eventually, one start to feel weak, not comfortable and finally to his illness. This is because our ignorance to the internal message. As we don't know how it work, therefore, we can't harmonize it.

3/ How to apply Yin and Yang in order to cultivate Chi

By understanding Yin and Yang, you have a starting point to compare and realize the trend of your Chi's fluctuation. Then, in your daily TaiChi practice you will learn how to follow it. (The change and interaction between Yin and Yang). By following it, you cultivate your Chi everyday, like the farmer growing their crops. You will no longer do things to harm it. This is what you should remember in your Taichi practice and in your push hand. After years, it becomes so clear that the flow of your Chi is there, then you will adjust it whenever you feel it goes wrong, or to pounding the power from it when situation required. The Chi will be in well balance all the time, externally or internally. You are a well balance person.