Body & beauty

How to Balance Your Qi

If you’ve ever felt out of sync but couldn’t figure out why, re-balancing your qi could be the way to achieve inner-harmony

We’ve all had moments in our life where sometimes we’ve felt a little unsettled. Enter qi: an ancient practice used to restore the body to its full harmony and help people achieve a state of zen. “Pronounced ‘chee’ or known as ‘prana’ in Ayurveda, qi is usually translated as ‘vital energy’ and is one of two concepts that are unique and fundamental to Chinese medicine,” explains Emilia Herting, TCM practitioner and Escapada co-founder (escapadaretreat.com). “Along with Yin and Yang, it forms the root of Chinese medicine.” The good news is that, with a little help, we have the tools to keep it balanced and maintained.

Flow free

In Chinese medicine it’s believed that our everyday health is influenced by a proper flow of qi and it’s only when there’s an imbalance that we start experiencing illness and discomfort.“In TCM qi is believed to be the life force and ultimate measure of your vitality,” says Emilia. “It’s the energy current that runs through our bodies, controlling the movement of blood helping our circulation, minerals and nutrients that we need to be and feel healthy.

The flow of qi is comparable to the flow of water and to be healthy and balanced, you must have ample qi freely throughout the body. When you become deficient or blocked, TCM believes that pain can occur within the body.”

Too much or too little

“If your qi is out of sync, your body will immediately show signs of this,” says Emilia. Generally, qi deficiencies can be caused by lack of sleep, food, clean water, fresh air and other physical elements that the human body needs to properly function. “An imbalance of qi can also be caused by insufficient mental stimulation and, a lack of love and social interactions. Symptoms can include: fatigue, irritability, hormone imbalance, pain, muscle weakness, depression, stress and more. It’s also possible to have an excess qi, which can be a result of environmental toxins such as polluted air or water, or even too much physical activity, stress or negative emotions. Symptoms of excess qi can include emotional outbursts, painful menstruation, migraines and digestive problems.”

Finding balance

With TCM, it’s believed that having a balanced life will help. “When your qi is balanced properly, you will immediately feel more centred and you will have a sense of happiness, strength and resilience in your body and mind,” says Emilia. “Using Chinese medicine and acupuncture to balance your qi is a fantastic, timeless structure that encompasses proven methods designed to help people achieve and maintain health. Qi deficiency often results in a lack of nutrients in the body so it’s essential to limit processed foods that can affect the absorption in your gut, and instead incorporate nourishing stews, soups and broths to your diet which will strengthen your gut and rebuild your nutrients.”

4 Ways to re-balance your qi

“At Escapada we also recommend these mind-body techniques to allow your body to rest, encourage movement and blood flow, and most importantly, allow you to pay attention to the causes of your imbalances and not just on quick fixes,” says Emilia

1. Mindful movement

Exercise is one the best ways to get your qi flowing. Try and do exercises that stimulate the body, mind and breath, such as yoga, tai chi and qi gong. But be careful not to push your body too hard, as this may deplete your qi.

2. Holistic self-care

Keeping your stress levels balanced with practices such as acupuncture, meditation and deep breathing can help.

3. Nourishing nutrition

If you have excess qi, then you should eliminate or limit fatty, sugary food from your diet. Avoiding too many raw and cold foods can help too, so try and eat warming nourishing dishes, like soup and stews.

4. Reconnect with yourself

Let your emotions flow free by talking with friends, journaling and using breathwork breathing exercises to relieve tension and bring you back to a state of zen whenever you feel rushed off your feet.

Wellness booster

There are two parts of qi. The first is qi that makes up the air, water, and food that we take in, the other is the vital fluids and the energy itself that flows through our bodies