Balancing the Chi

Chi is the life force energy that flows through all things; it is the essence of life itself. When this energy is strong, it makes you feel whole and present, completely alive.  Think of a time when you felt your creative juices flowing and got lost in the process of creating or making something.  This is why many of us are drawn to various art and hobbies.  Creative expression naturally stimulates the flow of chi mentally and emotionally.

Chi is a concept that is found throughout various cultures and goes by different names. In India, it is referred to as “Prana” and “Ki” in Japanese.  In Christianity many speak of the holy spirit moving through them.  It’s all the experience of the universal life force energy that moves through and surrounds every living being.  This energy can also be guided and used to promote healing and higher awareness.

Chi has both masculine and feminine traits. When properly balanced, you get yin/yang two separate, but equally important parts of the whole.  Yin is creative, intuitive and expressive. Yang is thoughtful, analytical and methodical. When you balance these energies, it improves health on all levels: body, mind and spirit. When these areas become imbalanced or do not flow properly, various problems can develop in the mind and body.

There are several ways anyone can attract and balance this life force energy.  In your living space and office, employ some basic Feng Shui techniques to help facilitate and direct the proper flow of Chi. This can be done easily by clearing away clutter, improving the placement of objects in the room and bringing in elements from nature that nourish and cleanse your space. A functional space with good energy goes a long way towards developing inner harmony.

Meditation or taking time daily for silent reflection can also improve and balance your Chi.  Studies have shown that meditation relieves stress, promotes clarity of thought, reduces blood pressure and even enhances creativity.  The reason this is so is because it is harmonizing and balancing your energy.  You can consciously focus on this process by paying attention to the energies around you during meditation. With practice, you will be able to feel the flow of energy around you and can gently guide it to flow more freely and to “speed up” or “slow down” where necessary.

Energy healers use this process all the time in practices like Reiki for example.  In Reiki, the hands are placed in various positions above the physical body and energy is manipulated to flow properly, reducing anxiety and promoting improved health in the recipient.

Physically, engage in activities that promote balance and enhance chi.  Plant and work in a garden to connect with nature.  Do yoga poses to relax the body and become more mindful.  Full and present awareness is key to balancing chi in the body.  Many martial arts also focus on the principles of directing Chi.

If you struggle with chronic pain or illness; consider acupuncture or acupressure which are ancient forms of healing that work directly with Chi by accessing various meridian points throughout the body.  As these points are stimulated, they redirect the flow of chi and promote healing.

Place objects in your space that help facilitate the flow of energy.  Water features are a great choice. The movement helps guide energies and the delicate sounds promote relaxation and bring comfort, which also benefit the flow of chi throughout the body.  Stress can trap energies in the body, leading to illness, anxiety and other issues.  Release stress and you’ll naturally promote better flow.