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Chi is a metaphysical life force found in living things and spaces, widely believed in many Asian nations and disciplines. Balancing chi is crucial for health and peace, and imbalances can lead to health problems or discomfort. Practices like acupuncture and acupressure are used to correct imbalances in living beings, and many rules surround the organization of objects in spaces to make them harmonious.
In the Asian tradition, chi is the life force that permeates the world. In addition to all living things, chi is also found in spaces such as homes and gardens. Although chi is a metaphysical construct, rather than something that can be physically quantified and measured, belief in chi is widespread in many Asian nations and disciplines including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), martial arts and feng shui, a Chinese art which involves balancing objects within their environment.
Like other Chinese words, chi is spelled in English in a variety of ways, including qi and xi. The pronunciation of the word is difficult to render in the Roman alphabet, but the word sounds like “chee” when pronounced. The meaning of the word is related to “air” and “breath,” which are believed to be vital parts of life. Like air, chi is a form of energy that waxes and wanes in the body according to health and in a space according to disposition.
Many cultures have a concept of some sort of vital energy that runs through all things, such as prana in the yogic tradition. When in a proper state of balance, the energy moves smoothly through the space it inhabits, and supports rather than fights against the space. Balancing this energy is a crucial part of living a healthy and peaceful life for many people in Asian countries, and the concept of energy balance has also been adopted by some Western nations.
An imbalance of chi can lead to health problems or discomfort in an environment. In the case of living beings, practices such as acupuncture, acupressure and other types of TCM are used to correct the imbalance by unblocking the flow of chi through the body’s meridians. A TCM practitioner checks the patient’s entire body to assess overall health and takes necessary corrective measures.
In the case of spaces, many Asian traditions surround the organization of objects within an environment to make the space harmonious. An imbalance of chi in a space is believed to bring bad luck and ill health, and many rules surround how things should be arranged from bedrooms to graveyards. Since the rules governing the arrangements can be quite complex, some wealthy families hire professionals to organize their spaces, which are analogous to interior designers in the West, although their function goes beyond pure aesthetic advice.
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