Notes from TCM book...

Chi in the body is referred to as Normal or Upright Chi (zheng-qi) or True Chi (zhen-qi).

Normal Chi
- Chi before it is differentiated into specific forms or is associated with specific functions.
- Once formed, it can be divided into many different specific types of Chi which have specific functions.

Normal Chi has three sources:
- Original Chi (yuan-qi) or Prenatal Chi, which is transmitted by the parents to their children at conception. This Chi is partly responsible for the person's inherited constitution and is stored in the kidneys.
- Grain Chi (gu-qi) which is delivered from the digestion of food.
- Natural Air Chi (kong-qi) which is extracted by the lungs from the air that we breathe.

Within the body, Normal Chi is responsible for five major functions:
- Chi is the source of all movement in the body and accompanies all movement.
- Chi protects the body.
- Chi is the source of harmonious transformation in the body.
- Chi governs retention of the body's Substances and Organs.
- Chi warms the body.

In the body, Chi is in constant motion and has 4 primary directions:
- Ascending
- Descending
- Entering
- Leaving

“Without entering and leaving, there is no development, without ascending and descending, no transformation, absorption, and storing.”

There are five major type of Chi in the body:
- Organ Chi (zang-fu-zhi-qi)
- Every organ is conceived of as having its own Chi, whose activity is characterized by the organ to which it is attached.
- Meridian Chi (jing-luo-zhi-qi)
- Meridians are the channels or pathways though which Chi flows among the organs and various body parts, adjusting and harmonizing their activity.
- Nutritive Chi (ying-qi)
- This Chi is most intimately associated with the blood.
- It manifests itself with the blood and moves with the blood though the blood vessels.
- It is crucial in transforming nutrients derived from food into blood.
- Protective Chi (wei-qi)
- Responsible for resisting and combating External Pernicious Influences when they invade the body.
- Considered the most Yang manifestation of Chi in the body.
- It moves within the chest and abdominal cavities and travels between the skin and the muscles.
- Regulates the sweat glands and pores, and moistens and protects the skin and hair.
- Ancestral Chi or Chi of the Chest (zong-qi)
- Gathers in the chest where it forms a “sea of qi”.
- Collects in the chest, goes out the throat, connects the heart and vessels, and moves respiration.
- It is mainly responsible for aiding and regulating the rhythmic motion of respiration and heartbeat, thus it is intimately connected with the heart and lungs.

Disharmonies of Chi
- Deficient Chi (qi-xu)
- Chi is insufficient to perform any of the five Chi functions.
- Deficient Chi can apply to the entire body or to a specific organ in which case, the organ will not be able to harmoniously do its job.
- Deficient Chi can also apply to any of the five types of Chi listed above.
- Collapsed Chi (qi-xian)
- Implies that the Chi is so insufficient that it can no longer hold organs in place.
- Stagnant Chi (qi-zhi)
- Normal movement of Chi is impaired. Chi does not flow in a smooth and orderly fashion.
- Rebellious Chi (qi-ni)
- A form of stagnant Chi which implies that Chi flows in the wrong direction.