RULE 1 -- CIRCULATE QI
Here's the first simple rule for health and vitality: Circulate Qi.
Qi is the energy that the mind and body run on. Qi is circulated to all the systems of the body along pathways, called meridians, which are like arteries that carry qi. The meridians drop off the qi via acupoints (the spots where acupuncturists insert their needles, in order to improve qi flow to a given area). Once it's entered the body, the qi is ready to fuel whatever systems and organs are present: heart, lungs, brain, and so on.
The trick, therefore, is to ensure that qi gets to every nook and cranny of the body. It's comparable to blood flow, really. If you don't get blood to a given part of the body, the area will deteriorate from lack of oxygen and nourishment. Likewise, areas of poor qi flow are more prone to injury and illness and slower to recover. This is a natural result of the fact that without sufficient qi, the organs and systems of a given area are unable to operate properly.
Areas of poor qi flow are more prone to injury and illness and slower to recover.
Fair enough, you say. I'm in. But how, exactly, do I follow rule 1? I mean, shouldn't the qi system handle its own affairs and circulate qi as needed? Well, yes and no. Unfortunately, we only get a limited amount of qi. So the qi system has to determine where to allocate the resources it has. How does it do this?
The answer is that the qi makes its determinations based on previous usage patterns. It more or less assumes that whatever you've done in the past must be what you need to do in order to survive. It therefore makes a priority of those systems of the mind and body that you use the most.
I think you can see where this is going. Exercise regularly and the body will be allocated fresh qi in expectation of future exercise. The result is that you feel more energetic.
Likewise, using your brain for something other than a hat rack helps you stay sharp as you get older. Again, the qi system notes that the mind has been exercised and makes sure it gets future allotments of qi for future thinking.
And that's where rule 1 begins. Use what you've got and circulate qi to the mind and body. Simple as that... Well, maybe not entirely. You already knew that it's good to exercise the body and the mind. But in reality, not all exercises are created equal. That's something I'll be delving into in future posts.
Furthermore, there are other issues to be discussed in terms of qi circulation. One example is "qi blocks," which spring up in the meridians and impede qi flow. What are they and where do they come from?
In other words, we've got a lot to talk about. For now, take a brisk walk and keep doing those crossword puzzles.
Sleep long and prosper,
Eulalio