Ch'i by Legge

Recently the topic of "Ch'i" or what Japanese call "ki" was run up the flag pole to see how it may wave when I came across the definitions as provided by James Legge's translation of the I Ching. Here is what he states:

Ch'i: Breath, blood and breath = the physical powers, mankind, observe.

Interesting don't you think yet it does NOT even hint that it is some mystical power that one uses to cause events to occur with out actual physical contact nor does it hint that it is some energy source that makes karate-ka able to perform feats of apparent magic, etc.

It does hint to the physical connection of breathing and physical powers. It does tell me, personally, that if one learns about body alignment, body mechanics, physical fitness, mental training and fitness and that if one brings them all into alignment it creates energy and power.

It does tell me that if one breathes properly along with physical movements which hit on specific and maximum mental/physical performance it leads to greater health and ability and proficiency.

In other words Ch'i is simply a physical manifestation of mind, body, and spirit. That physical manifestation that teaches a FMA practitioner how to maximize the tools they have in the mind, body and spirit, into that one point or wholeheartedly or one heart :-)