[TonyTooRaw]

Many people always talk about chi and i wanted to kno what u guys think about it, is it real?

[Tease T Tickle]

'chi' as its own belief structure is total garbage. Chi as an idea that can be molded into other thought constructs, however, is not only believable but rather mundane. For instance, one definition for chi is "the energy by which the mind controls the body." Which really just makes chi neurological bioelectricity. That crap you heard about charging up chi, throwing chi balls, turning Super Sayan and whatnot are all right up there with stories about witches turning people into newts. The truth about chi is that - somehow - training as if its real has some decent payoffs but nothing beyond what you can do with a good workout plan.

[mlr45gunnr]

Chi or ki as best i can recollect is more like guts - inner strength - kia is like a way of focusing inner strength into a technique - alot like grunting to lift but faster. As far as mystical Chi i agree with Tease. When you are told the- save you Chi don't have sex - EVER umm ok so mutch for chi.

[zefff]

So how come accupuncture works?

[TonyTooRaw]

yea im not talkin bout shootin fireballs n dragonball z shit just like the one that they talk bout in real life, so its kinda like a belief to trick u to work out harder n try harder? or do they really believe it works?

[Bloodybirds]

I respectfully disagree with Tease to an extent. Tony, my suggestion is to buy a chi book written by Dr. Yang Jwing Ming on the scientific background for it. Dr. Yang, besides being a well know martial artist, is also has a PhD in physics and a masters in Engineering from Purdue. Whenever he described it to us, he put it in the context of Ohm's law and, like Tease mentioned, a bioelectric manifestation. I can only tell you that when I was in Hong Kong training under my Ying jow master's master (Ng Wei) I did feel things when he struck me (I know I am opening myself up here...laughing) but it felt like a shock wave and warm as in iron palm.

The skepticism comes from the western belief that the mind and body are separate. I suppose chi, ki, or any other item like that would need to be scientifically tested and some valid research has been done, though empirically.

In the end, Tony, I think some things in the martial arts, as in life, begin with faith. It is very hard to believe in something not seen. But, I have felt enough from all three of my masters to believe there is something there more than mere power, strength, and sinew.

[Bloodybirds]

I apologize for some bad English in what I just wrote but, after almost 2 years going for my MBA, I am almost all written out. Please do not validate to APA standards, for those in school now or have been recently....laughing. I have no citations.

[Twitch]

It's a western belief that the mind and body are separate? No way man, the Romans used "chi" too, don't believe me? Look up "Spiritus," you'll see.

I'll give you this though, I don't think the east had anything like the inquisition. For all we know, western society could have had many martial arts that are for all intents and purposes "lost" for fear that they could be used to fight back against the Church.

[TonyTooRaw]

ya idk what to believe, if i felt it too i would believe it but i dont kno but the mind is definately more powerful then alot of ppl think, most normal people think that fighting is just bout brute strength, but anyways back to chi....what arts study chi?

[Michael M.]

I always thought Chi was just adrenaline.