Qi is an abstract term. It only achieves a concrete or objective definition once it has been affixed to a second term providing context. For this reason, qi often plays the same role as ‘god’ does in spirituality. It can be used to unproductively describe spiritual phenomenon. On the other hand, its abstract nature has the ability to pragmatically group phenomenon that relate in ways outside of our current material-scope. On its own, the word qi signifies a rough aggregate similar to our english words “energy”, “vibe”, “spirit”, “feeling”, and “immaterial”. A word used to describe an immaterial feeling or sensation. To define it with latin & greek terms, maybe something along the lines of the affixes “ -ous”, “-ness”, “-y” or “-ity” would be our best translation. For this reason I tend to steer clear of the term as much as possible. If I am able to specify the qi factually, precisely, or in a way that is more familiar to northwestern hemisphere conventions, then I never hesitate t...

Chinese medicine is an ancient study with a prehistoric past. Its first written history dates back to a time in China known as the Warring States period approximately 2400 years ago. By this time it was already a complex and comprehensive medical system complete with knowledge of anatomy & physiology, diagnostics, natural medicinals, acupoints, a large handful of treatment modalities, and pertinent lifestyle modifications in seek of restoring natural balance. It's very important to first understand that Chinese medicine is a constantly evolving practice and over the centuries and millennia it has by no means been static. We often think of China as being this one grand unified nation as we see it today, but this was not always the case. China was, and in some ways still is, a very diverse nation consisting of many different cultures, languages, religions and philosophies. Being such a large nation geographically, differences from province to province can contrast as much as the...