Does chi really exist?

[Greco-Roman]

For those who study the Eastern Martial Arts you probably believe that in all living things flows a life force called chi.Many styles claim that their practitinoers can use chi during combat to inflict damage or displace their opponents energy.I have witnessed a tai chi chuan sifu knock back one of his students several feet with a punch that was administered from only about one inch away.However I am still skeptical that chi really exist and I feel that the demonstration had more to do with the mind over matter than with actual energy displacement.Do you believe in chi?

[Kevin]

Well, I suppose you will need to more closely define "chi" before you get a definitive answer - it is variously defined as "life force," "spiritual force," "biomechanical energy," "bioelectrical energy," "determination," as well as a variety of other possible definitions. Any of these could themselves be interpreted in a great variety of ways.

Generally, the consensus is that "chi" is a conceptual tool used to explain abstract concepts rather that using biomechanics to explain it. The "one inch punch" exists because of the use of muscles in the back and body are able to exert force even if the fist strikes from only an inch away or even while touching. It can be explained without resorting to spirtual or supernatural abilities or energy.

Be warned that some people like to use "chi" as a catch-all to explain anything they have problems explaining otherwise - which is neither the historical sense it was meant in, nor the more common use as an explanatory tool.

[TonyU]

Chi has been discussed here plenty. Use the search functon and you will find it.
The short answer is most of us do not believe in "chi" or "ki".

[Yang Wei Xin]

my chi is so strong you can smell it,
especially after taco bell.:ticks:

[khujo78]

yes, chi does exist...look here:
http://users.aol.com/KMack7/webstuff/pics/bgtldstory/storyglow.gif

Actually I believe chi exists mainly as a magnetic force surrounding every living thing. This has been scientifically measured. But thats about it for me, I dont know about the gohan chi balls or lightining bolts.

[Yang Wei Xin]

omfg, that is a great link.

it looks like sho nuff is doing something dirty to bruce leroy.

soul glow is one of the most powerful examples of chi to date. out classing even the shining.

HADO-KEN, YOGA FIRE, AND SONIC BOOM are my three favorite chi techniques.

[jwinch2]

For those who study the Eastern Martial Arts you probably believe that in all living things flows a life force called chi.Many styles claim that their practitinoers can use chi during combat to inflict damage or displace their opponents energy.I have witnessed a tai chi chuan sifu knock back one of his students several feet with a punch that was administered from only about one inch away.However I am still skeptical that chi really exist and I feel that the demonstration had more to do with the mind over matter than with actual energy displacement.Do you believe in chi?

There recently was a massive thread related to Chi/Ki/Reiki and the like. You have posted two questions in the healing arts forum. Please take a little time and do a search before posting another.

Thank you!

Jason

[khujo78]

omfg, that is a great link.

it looks like sho nuff is doing something dirty to bruce leroy.

soul glow is one of the most powerful examples of chi to date. out classing even the shining.

HADO-KEN, YOGA FIRE, AND SONIC BOOM are my three favorite chi techniques.

i've been working on those, lol...the yoga fire is easiest, just a lighter and some kingford... ;)

[Yang Wei Xin]

i've been working on those, lol...the yoga fire is easiest, just a lighter and some kingford... ;)
according to my street fighter II handbook you also need to eat a lot of curry beforehand.:hot:

also, in the sfII mythology, dhalsim was the one to teach the hado skills to ryu and ken.

[khujo78]

lol...gotta remember that

[salatheel]

:bow: I have no doubts chi is real.
I started meditating 13 years ago and have beenm able to feel it after a year or so.
I recently started taking ta chi and I am amazed by what I feel with the movements.
I decided to take tai chi specifically because or the ease of which I feel the chi.
I really just had to decide between tai chi or aikido.
I picked tai chi because I prefer chinese arts to japanese.

[rgoad]

Khujo, that gif is cool. I look just like that when I practice moving my chi. Just the shaking part and the wild grin, I don't glow.

There is a pretty good overview of Chi (Qi) put out by the World Tang Soo Do Association. It does not judge too much and covers everything from 'real' scientific attempts to find it to kirlean (sic?) photography etc. with equal weight. I have a shotokan book with Ki exercises in it, as well. And of course I have a couple of Chinese books on the subject.

When you read accounts of people like Ueshiba of Aikido and others that could visualize Ki, it may be some psychological phenomenon where the person visualizes unusual sensations or sensitivities that he is unable to explain otherwise reconcile. For example, sound of extremely high or low frequencies may not be consciously heard, but may produce a strong 'feeling' of anxiety or alertness. There are people who 'see' colours with sound as a part of their perception of the sound. Chi may be like this.

But until we figure it out, "I am the master!"

[Yang Wei Xin]

:bow: I have no doubts chi is real.
I started meditating 13 years ago and have beenm able to feel it after a year or so.
I recently started taking ta chi and I am amazed by what I feel with the movements.
I decided to take tai chi specifically because or the ease of which I feel the chi.
I really just had to decide between tai chi or aikido.
I picked tai chi because I prefer chinese arts to japanese.

i hope you don't get the impression that i don't believe in chi, because i do, but this topic has been discussed so many times on this forum, that starting a new thread was entirely unnecessary, and i decided to crack a few jokes.

take it easy bro :)

[Gene Williams]

:D
There once was a girl named Marie
Who was really a master of Ki
She could make love all day
In a curious way
And never spill one drop of tea.

[Yang Wei Xin]

once i stop looking
i immediately find
something worth seeing

[rgoad]

There was a man named Dupree
Who earnestly studied his Ki.
He strained way too hard,
In the practicing yard,
And now has to squat to Chi.

[Gene Williams]

:laugh: :laugh:

There was a young man named Lee
Who decided to practice his ki
He fell in a trance
With his hand down his pants
And dreamed of satori you see. :D

[Webmaster]

Okay, enough with the off-color limericks!

[rgoad]

I hurt myslef today,
to see if I still feel.
I focused on the rhyme.
To see if I could still spar with old Gene.

But had to change the rhyme
to keep this dang thing 'G'.

[Gene Williams]

:D
There once was a mean old Webmaster
Who preached to us like an old pastor
He made us so good
We behaved like we should
But, the website became a disaster :laugh:

[rgoad]

Yeah, but it's so clean you can eat off the floor in this place!

[Gene Williams]

Yeah, but it's so clean you can eat off the floor in this place!

The Webmaster is quite strict, you know
For dirty stuff he doesn't go
So we eat off the floor
And holler for more
'Cause it makes us so healthy, you know. :D



I want this new poem to be bad
But, that might make the Webmaster mad
Then again I'd be banned
From Budoseek land
The best forum I've ever had.

[rgoad]

Next time I'm locked face down on the mat, I'll remember that.

Do they give brownie points here?

BTW, I started un CT Patterson

[Gene Williams]

Next time I'm locked face down on the mat, I'll remember that.

BTW, I started un CT Patterson

You're kidding? When!

[rgoad]

1972. Joe Rippy, Mike Vannatta (still my Wado sensei), Jimmy Kittrell, Taylor Hayden and David Deaton. All my instructors back in tha day.

[Gene Williams]

1972. Joe Rippy, Mike Vannatta (still my Wado sensei), Jimmy Kittrell, Taylor Hayden and David Deaton. All my instructors back in tha day.

I was out at the Nolensville Road dojo in '74 and '75. Roy Hinkle was the instructor. I hung out with Wayne Tyler, Jimmy Edwards, Becky Anderton, Jack Evans and that crowd. I remember Hayden and Kittrell, and Rippy. That was a good bunch of folks. I've been trying to find out whatever happened to Hinkle. I finally found some Shito ryu (I had been Shorin) and went to Seishin Kai.

[rgoad]

Talk about Ki. I could tell stories about Kittrell and CT PAtterson that would make Kimpatsu and Don Roley write two hours of rebuttal. :D

I liked Wayne Tyler and Becky was a much larger presence than her physical size. '75 I think was the Otsuka seminar.

Don't know for sure about Roy. I think he moved to Texas.

[Gene Williams]

I still talk to Tyler and Becky once in a while, and I had a great talk with Jimmy Edwards about 3 mos. ago. Anyway, we can talk more on pm.