What is life? Where does it truly come from and what is the source or true essence of that life? Philosophers, scholars, theologians and the like have pondered this question since time immemorial. This article is not going to debate those theories on the origins of life itself, but rather point to something that can be known, understood and utilized in almost every facet of life. That something, is quite simply.. Breathing!

Breathing is something that humans and all life of earth does, even plants and trees. Without breath and the exchange of life energies life could not continue for more then a few minutes in humans. Breath and breathing is the true essence of our lives and our life force.

In many ancient cultures breathing and the link of breath to spirit was well known and utilized, but in our modern times, such notions are laughed at as being outdated, arcane and foolish. Sure, they know that we need breath to stay alive via the constant exchange of gases oxygen and carbon-dioxide, but what modern science and medicine in particular does not acknowledge is there is far more to breathing then just a lot of hot air.

In China, the character for Chi (life force or bio-energy) is 3 wavy lines, symbolizing the air itself. These two words are often used interchangeably in Chinese medicine and martial arts. There are many different types of chi, which are characterized depending upon where the chi comes from and what the chi does or is responsible for. There is Air chi, heaven chi, earth chi, human chi, fire chi, water chi and many more.

Each chi is responsible for a certain action in the universe, on earth and in the human body. By having a solid understanding of what each of these different types of chi does, you can then use this simple but effective and broad ranging knowledge to diagnose, understand and even heal oneself of various illnesses and maladies.

A simple example of this that I often teach acolytes and friends alike has to do with “Fire Chi” in the human body. Where there is too much fire chi, dry mouth, red skin, itchy skin rashes and such are often the result. When there is what’s called “fire chi ascending” headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting are often the results. By understanding this simple cause and effect of what’s going on with our bio-energies we can use other natural techniques such as acupressure, acupuncture, breathing and the mind to help rebalance the chi, bring the ascending fire energy down back to the residence at the “Dan Tien” which is a physical spot about one and a half to two inches below the belly button, and thereby alleviate the symptoms.

I remember I taught a student to do this right in a diner that we were eating about over ten years ago. He often got many headaches, dizzy and was often weak of energy, and always very warm. I taught him this about a month earlier but when he tried it he was not so successful the first few tries. He did not want to take aspirin anymore. I told him that like anything worthwhile, it takes time and practice. He decided to try again, closed his eyes, visualized the energy going down a certain pathway I taught him and back to the dan tien, effectively pulling the ascending fire energy down. About thirty seconds later, he opened his eyes and to his own astonishment…his headache was gone. I remember him being amazed for weeks and months that he was actually able to use his mind to get rid of his headache. I said with the right knowledge and understanding, many such things are possible that are often considered impossible.

His headaches have not returned in nearly ten years and he practices other deep breathing exercises, dietary changes, meditations and more that I’ve taught him to help keep his energies balanced and his Chi full, including the 8 pieces of brocade breathing and others. Many of these are taken directly from Chinese medicine and martial arts, including those of the Shaolin and Taoists priests and martial artists as well.

Breathing was first discovered by the observance of animals and how they breathe when they fight, when they’re sick, when they sleep and more. The Chinese naturally believed that nature was a teacher and possessed great wisdom from the creative spirit or source, so in humility, they kept they’re minds open to this knowledge and imitated what they saw nature doing.

The Yellow River in China often flooded every year and the damp moisture that it brought caused many joint problems and other illnesses to those living in it’s fertile river basin. Those that practiced these deep breathing techniques, which started with the famous “Five Animal Play”, which is based on the animals of the “Tiger, Dear, Bear, Crane and Monkey”, discovered that they did not get sick as those who didn’t practice the breathings. Not only was their immunity increased significantly, but they’re overall strength, energy and appearance was healthier than others, and they found that they lived longer and better lives as they continued practicing these breathings.

Science has only recently begun to open up to the idea that breathing might have more going on with it than the simple exchange of gases with each breath. They now see that breathing also acts as a metabolic regulator, has immune boosting capacity, increases oxygen flow to the brain and much more. Of course, none of this is news to the Chinese, especially the medical and martial artist community who have been using breathing as one of the main branches of healing arts in China for thousands of years, right up till our modern day.

If you would like to learn more about breathing, the famous breathing set “Eight Pieces of Brocade” and other knowledge from Chinese medicine and health and fitness, then visit my Chinese health and Fitness website link below.

Rich Stacel is a natural health practitioner, Chinese martial artist and Qigong practitioner for over twenty three years. He has read dozens of books on nutrition, martial arts, fitness supplements, meditation, healing and what he learned from his instructors and Masters.

Interests also include science, astronomy, physics, Einstein, general health, health freedom, spreading truth on health, fitness, spiritual matters and much more. He has been teaching Chinese Gung-fu, health and fitness for over seventeen years helping people achieve their health, fitness and martial arts goals.

To learn more about breathing and Chinese health and fitness, visit Rich's website for his video that's currently in production at: www.geocities.com/Chinesehealthandfitness

If you're interested in learning more about martial arts and Chinese Gung-fu, then please visit: www.geocities.com/shaolinrich