The word “chi” or “ch’i” in Chinese can mean the source of life or energy which is the same meaning as “prana” in Indian or “qi” in Japanese. Cultivating energy is one way to improve the health of your physical body, mental body (astral body), and utilize your potential to the fullest. In order to really feel the energy, you have to train your breath and your body. After that, do chi cultivation until you reach an optimal energy level and a high spiritual life.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cultivating Energy through Breathing Exercises
Step 1. Sit comfortably
In order to practice your breathing properly, you need to focus on your breath, instead of paying attention to your uncomfortable feet or thinking about how to hang the painting you're looking at. When practicing, you can sit on a chair or use a pillow on the floor. The way that feels most comfortable is the best choice.
- If you choose to sit in a chair, sit with your back straight with your feet on the floor and your knees shoulder-width apart.
- If sitting on the floor, you can cross your legs or kneel.
Step 2. Breathe deeply
Pay attention to every inhalation and exhalation. Perform abdominal breathing using diaphragms, not chest breathing. Breathing by activating the diaphragm (which is between the lower body and upper abdomen) allows you to inhale and exhale more air. Chi processing requires a large amount of airflow. Do this exercise daily for a few weeks until you get used to this breathing technique. After that, get used to breathing in this way so that the energy in your body continues to flow.
Step 3. Calm the mind
Maintaining a calm mind and focusing on a specific thing is not easy, but during 5-10 minutes of practicing breathing, focus your mind on the rhythm of your breath. The air that enters and leaves the nasal cavity is like yin and yang, two opposites but connected.
Step 4. Breathe the same length
After mastering the basic technique of breathing through diaphragmatic breathing, practice the breathing technique at equal lengths. Sit comfortably and then start breathing at equal lengths for 5-10 minutes:
- Inhale for 5 seconds
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds
- Exhale for 5 seconds
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds
Method 2 of 3: Cultivating Chi Physically
Step 1. Practice taici
In its development, taici practice is more directed at balancing chi. There are many movements in taici practice, but you can practice some basic movements first to feel the benefits. Breathing is fundamental to practicing taici. Hopefully by now, you have been able to feel the connection between breath and chi through the breathing exercises in the previous step. During taici practice, you will usually perform a series of slow, gentle movements that make you feel more calm and connected to your breath and chi. There are various styles of taici with slightly different movements or ways of practicing. If you are interested in practicing taici, seek information at a yoga studio, self-defense course, or through the health community.
Step 2. Perform the exercise in a standing position
The Wuji posture or standing in a stance is the basis of taici practice. While it may seem like you're just standing there doing nothing, this is a way of recognizing energy. You can cultivate chi by standing in a stance while breathing.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Balance your weight on the soles of your feet.
- Bend your knees as if you were sitting in a chair.
- Move your body forward so that it leans slightly forward.
- Keep your back straight until you feel your spine extend upwards.
- Relax your shoulders.
- Touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
- Breathe normally.
Step 3. Exercise your arms
This arm exercise is not a taici move, but you can get to know your body better through this exercise. This method helps you cultivate chi throughout your body when you move while paying attention to your breath.
- Point your right palm forward and position it in front of your face.
- Point your left palm in front of your stomach.
- Slowly move your arms in a circle.
- Your arms will come close to each other and your palms away from each other depending on where your hands are in the circle. First, one palm will be at the very top of the circle and the other at the bottom. During the move in a circle, there are times when both forearms will be parallel in front of the chest.
- Breathe as usual.
Step 4. Find the chi practice that works best for you
Taici isn't the only exercise you can do to cultivate chi. If taici is too slow and meditative, maybe you can practice kung fu or yoga that originated in India. These two exercises can help you cultivate and feel chi.
Method 3 of 3: Focusing on Your Mental Energy and Chi Level
Step 1. Learn chi kung practice
Apart from doing physical exercises while breathing and moving to feel chi, you can improve your mental and spiritual state by cultivating chi. Chi kung comes from ancient civilizations which is done by directing the mind to reach higher consciousness and empowering the true power of your chi.
Step 2. Focus on your energy
This method can take you to a higher level of chi. As you practice breathing and do the exercises you choose, focus on feeling the energy not flowing in certain parts of your body. A person experiencing an energy blockage should focus and practice to get his energy flowing again as it should. There are people who are able to channel energy through breathing and physical exercise, but there are also those who need help and guidance during their practice. You can determine the flow of energy in your body by performing tests that will identify what elements are lacking or need to be balanced. Look for information on the website if you need the help of a certified chi kung trainer to increase your energy.
Step 3. Strive to unite body, mind, and spirit to reach the highest level of chi
This step includes all the exercises you've been doing so far, both breathing exercises, physical movements, and energizing, plus the spiritual aspects so you can achieve peace of mind and centered awareness. Just like the practice of Zen meditation in Buddhism, cultivating chi spiritually may require a lifetime of practice. What we want may be achieved someday, but the next one may still be far away. You have to be in a state of calm and fully aware of the present in order to experience spiritual union with the physical and energy, instead of simply wanting to reach a higher level of consciousness. Many people practice meditation as the best way to reach the highest levels of chi.
