Soul Food Talk: How to Raise Your Chi Energy

What is Life Force Energy? (Qi/Chi)

You may have heard the term “life force energy”, 'Qi', or 'Chi' before and wondered what does that truly mean? It refers to the vital life force energy of the Universe, present within every living thing. This force of energy flows through the body pathways - known as meridians and chakras - of all living forms, all beings, in order to maintain health and wellness, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The Life Force is not separate from the Creator, an is known throughout the world with the Yorubas of West Africa naming it Ase, the Igbos call it Chi, and for the Akans it's the Sunsum. In other places around the world its also known as, Prana, and Qi. 

The energy of Chi emits vibrant, bright colors (the aura), a vibrational frequency, and a sound. When Chi becomes disturbed, stagnant, imbalanced or depleted, dis-ease and illness begin to take form - the aura becomes darker and discolored, personal frequency vibrates incorrectly, and the meridians (energy pathways - Chinese origin), and chakras (energy centers - Indian origin), within the body, become blocked. 

There are twelve meridians - six are Yin (feminine) and six are Yang (masculine) - belonging to every major organ, which repair and maintain the body everyday, with each meridian having a peak time and a low time. If we live in awareness and harmony with our body clock, health and wellness is an experience that's present consistently, as opposed to Western conditioning which do not teach the circadian rhythm, how to consume in alignment with it, and in fact suffer the consequences.

Deficient in Life Force Energy

The yang (masculine) qualities of chi energy are responsible for stimulating and warming the body and manifest as stamina and physical strength. When your body is yang deficient your bodily functions will begin to slow down and you’ll show signs of ‘coldness’.

The yin (feminine) qualities of chi energy are responsible for moistening and cooling the bodily functions, and help the body and mind to settle and rest. If yin is deficient the body will lose its ability to maintain these vital functions and will ‘overheat’.

One of the most fundamental ways to balance your life force energy is to eat the right foods; Foods that are alkaline, plant based, and not manipulated by man. Food holds a particular energy and resonance that when consumed, it becomes us. It can either take away from our energy or give back to it, electrify us. So, each food has cooling, moistening, warming, or drying effect. For instance, people who suffer from excess heat (hypertension, heart disease, stroke, aggression) often consume large amounts of “heat-inducing” foods–meat, cheese, alcohol, fried and spicy foods. 

Food & Herbs 

Balancing the feminine life force energy

When the yin is weak you'll have “hot” or excess heat experiences, such as: high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, tension headaches, stroke, aggressive, angry behavior, obesity, acne, infections, and impatience. Try consuming the following:

• Citrus fruits
• Antioxidant Rich
• Berries
• Cherries
• Melon (cantaloupe, watermelon)
• Nothing greasy or spicy
• Lettuce
• Arugula
• Aparagus
• Callaloo
• Squash
• Chickpeas
• Quinoa
• Cucumber

Herbs to consume:

• Chi for the Body Blend
• Blue Vervain
• Valerian
• Food for the Blood
• Hibiscus
• Mullein
• Maca
• Kalawalla
• Chamomile
• Nettle

Balancing the masculine life force energy

If you have “cold” or excess cold and damp experiences, such as: anemia, bloating and gas, weak adrenals, depression, slow metabolism, sinus infections, fungal and yeast infections, overweight, puffiness, poor digestion, anxiousness, brittle hair and dry skin try consuming the following:

• Consume more lightly cooked/steamed foods
• Tea
• Sweet alkaline fruits
• Whole grains
• Berries
• Mangos
• Apple 
• Dates
• Seeded grapes
• Kale
• Onions
• Fennel
• Walnuts
• Seaweed 

Herbs to consume:

• Chi for the Body Blend
• Food for the Blood
• Sea Elements 
• Dandelion Root
• Ginger
• Star Anise

Foods to Avoid 

Foods to avoid when building Yin (feminine) energy: (cooling)

• Food and drinks that contain sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. (processed foods)
• Meats, seafood, fried food, and dairy. (Mucus causing)
• Heating and pungent foods such as curries or spices such as cayenne or ginger (these will create even more ‘heat’ in your body).
• Avoid consuming large portions of Yin strengthening foods that tend to block the digestive system if eaten in excess. 

Foods to avoid when building Yang energy: (heating)

• Food and drinks that contain sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. (processed foods)
• Meats, seafood, fried food, and dairy. (Mucus causing)
• Over abundance of raw foods - try incorporating lightly cooked vegetables, grains, etc.
• Rice, buckwheat

Lifestyle Changes

Emotional health issues, such as stress and anxiety, are very often a contributing factor to a chi energy imbalance. It’s not uncommon that when we are stressed our diet and eating regime suffers too, and this will compound any energetic imbalance.

In addition to eating well, there are a number of simple lifestyle shifts that will course correct a chi imbalance, particularly if emotional issues are also involved. All are helpful for bringing both feminine and masculine chi deficiencies back into a harmonious balance.

SLEEP:

Get to bed by 10:30pm in order to get a supportive nights rest and be within honoring your circadian rhythm (body clock). Getting a good nights’ sleep is essential for rest, repair and revitalization of your mind and body. Create a high vibrational bedtime ritual: turn off computers and phones, drink alkaline herbal tea, write in your journal, spritz lavender oil on your pillow, wear a sleep mask, or listen to a guided meditation.

GENTLE MINDFUL EXERCISE:

Gentle forms of exercise that also combine an element of stillness/meditation are great for rebalancing the chi energy of your body and mind. Yoga, walking, Earthing, are a few examples. Just 10-15 minutes of practice a day will help rebalance your life force energy.

EMOTIONAL SELF-HELP:

In addition to activities that calm and relax your mind (see above) it’s vital that you also explore and resolve the underlying causes of any reoccurring emotional upsets to help you build emotional resilience. Set aside time every day to do some self-enquiry work and dig deeper into the thoughts and beliefs that lie beneath any uncomfortable emotions.

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