Question

Discuss qi flow between the meridians and how it affects the body. How does excess or stagnant qi imbalance in these organs/meridians?

Answer 1

Different ancient traditions have talked about an energy system within the body since the earliest of times. Indian Yogis called it Prana, while Chinese Daoists called it Qi or Chi. Usually translated as ‘vital life force’ or ‘life energy’, this Prana or Qi is the force present in all life that binds together all things in the universe.

Just as Prana moves through energy channels called Nadis in the Indian Yogi tradition, in the Chinese tradition this Qi moves through a network of energy pathways called ‘Jing-luo’ that interconnects and encapsulates all tissues and cells. Jing, meaning ‘to go through’ and Luo meaning ‘that which connects’. The word is translated as ‘channels’ and commonly known as ‘Meridians’.

The Daoist tradition, upon which Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based, distinguishes 12 main meridians, 8 minor meridians and many collateral ones. TCM acupuncture points can be mapped out on this meridian system.

While in yoga the chakras are considered as the main energetic points, the Daoist model considers our internal organs as being the main focus points of energy storage and distribution.

Most major meridians are named after the internal organs they influence and are connected with: an organ’s Qi moves through that organ’s meridian.

The 12 main meridians

The 12 major meridians are composed of 5 Yin meridians: Heart, Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver; 5 Yang meridians: Small intestines, Stomach, Large intestine, Urinary bladder, Gallbladder; the Pericardium meridian, and the San Jiao meridian.