A Few Words About Prana…or is it Called Chi?
Well, yes, both. There is a non-visible, vitalizing life force field “out there” that is conscious and intelligent. It is universal. It is all around us and within us and within all life. It is THE energy of the universe. We breathe it in with every breath. We circulate it throughout our bodies with thought and physical movement.
Throughout history, cultures around the world have formed their own understanding of this subtle energy that sustains all life. Since the beginning of conscious thought. Since human beings observed nature and their environments.
This vital current in ancient Vedic and later Hindu in India is called Prana. Pranayama is a set of yogic breathing exercises that systematically draw in and circulate pranic energy. The ancient Chinese subdivided this life force into Jing, Shen, and Chi (Qi), according to how it was observed to function. They created systems of medical treatment and physical exercise/self-defense around their observations.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the study of this life-sustaining energy. Jing is the form of Prana we are born with, and it is the essence of who we are. It gradually changes, then decreases as we age. It is basic and substantial in nature, as it is our DNA, our material body, and our deep energy stores. As we experience and grow from life challenges, we develop a form called Shen, which is considered spiritual wisdom. The third form, Qi or Chi, is more flowing and fluid. It has a part in changing food to energy in our body and directs the flow of that energy, up and down, in and out, through all parts of our bodies and in and out of our auras, moving quickly or sluggishly, depending upon our individual habits.
In Practice
A Qi Gong practice contains movements designed to send energy efficiently into the various parts of the body using invisible energy pathways called meridians. Acupuncture works with points along these meridians to free and balance sluggish or overactive flow of Chi.
Fabien Maman of the Tama-do Academy built an energy balancing system using principles of TCM, especially some that include acupuncture and Qi Gong. He added stainless steel tuning forks tuned to specific musical notes that correlate to the various areas in the body. Used in the practice, they create cohesive sound patterns that enhance the flow and balance of Chi in the body and energy field.
When we work with sound, we harmonize different areas of our bodies, our memories, ourselves. We are transported beyond the everyday. We fly free. We heal.
Sound, Color & Energy Healing
And then there’s color. How do you feel when you look at the lush greens of nature, or the beautiful blues of the sky and of big water? Consider red. What happens when you look at a brilliant, bright red?
We are made of light. Color is simply an aspect of light. When we work consciously and systematically with color, we open to our deeper selves. We discover more about who we are. We connect to the world around us. We can also balance Chi with color according to our daily needs. One day, blue might help us balance. On another day, it might be yellow or some combination of colors. When we are drawn to certain colors, we harmonize within ourselves. We heal.
When we move our bodies to the Qi Gong exercises, our legs, our arms, our torsos begin to respond to the flow of energy. There are Qi Gong movements that can help every part of the body. The renewed flow of energy feels right. It feels good. We feel a new balance. We heal.
When we are quiet and pay attention to our breath, we begin to feel the effect of the Chi moving through our lungs, down our torsos to the legs, around the chest and up to our heads. If we keep our breathing slow and rhythmic, we notice changes. Our thoughts quieten. We feel more lightness. A settling down. The movement of the molecules in and around us entrain to the rhythm of our breath. Our auras begin to expand. There is more space between the molecules. We can sense the freedom. We heal.
When we work with sound, color, body movement, and the breath, we begin to open areas within ourselves that we have closed off due to physical, mental or emotional pain. We start to release the tightness, the self-criticism, shame, blame, guilt. We let go of fear. We expand our auras and feel the lightness in and around ourselves. It becomes easier to recognize our strengths, our personal gifts. We all have them.
When we start to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts of ourselves, we begin to feel a harmony within and without. We grow. We expand. We move beyond where we were into something lighter, more fun, more real. We start to recognize our true selves. And we heal.
