Expert Advice

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is partnering with Ericca Burke, a board-certified licensed acupuncturist, to bring greater awareness to the importance of thyroid care and education. This post was sponsored by Acella Pharmaceuticals and should not be construed as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your individual medical situation.

What is Chi?

Chi (pronounced “chee”) is a Chinese word that translates to life force or energy. Chi runs through everyone and everything. It can be thought of as an energetic current that flows through the body as well as physical objects. Overall vitality and well-being are reflected in the chi.

It is common to see this word spelled in a variety of ways in pinyin. Pinyin translates to “spell sound” and refers to the translation of Chinese characters into the letters of the English alphabet. In this case, the sound made by the Chinese word for life force or energy sounds like a “Ch” or “Q” sound. The word is most typically written as “Chi” or “Qi”.

Just as there are various ways to spell the Chinese word for energy, there are also similar words used in other countries for this kind of energy. For example, the equivalent Japanese word is “ki.” In India, the word “prana” is used to describe one’s life force.

Benefits of building your chi

Working with your chi can strengthen your vitality. If someone is vibrantly healthy, they have strong chi. When chi is weak or stagnant, it can result in illness or disease. Many people love working with their chi because it is a simple, effective, rewarding and low-cost way to promote health and well-being. It benefits mental, physical and emotional health. It can help lower stress and raise immunity.

Many practices that focus on the cultivation of chi are simple to learn. They can be done anywhere. They can be practiced alone or with a group. Anyone at any age or level of health can work on strengthening their chi.

Qigong

Qigong is one of the fundamental pillars of Chinese medicine. As mentioned earlier, the word “qi” refers to energy or life force. The word “gong” in this case refers to work or practice. Qigong is a practice of working with energy. It combines gentle movements with mindful breathing that balance and move energy. Qigong movements can be practiced individually or combined into a flow. Here is an great instructional video for beginners, from one of my favorite teachers, David Coon:

Tai Chi

Tai Chi was developed from Qigong movements as a martial art. It was created by Shaolin monks and Chinese military leaders. There are different forms and styles that have been developed over time. Some are slower and more meditative, while others are more vigorous and geared toward self-defense and combat.

One of the underlying principles of Tai Chi is the balance of opposites, specifically yin and yang. Yin is more soft, cool and nurturing, while yang is more hard, warm and active. The flows are designed to balance yin and yang so they work together in harmony. The balance of these opposing forces creates peace, tranquility and balanced chi in the body.

Cultivating chi to support the thyroid

There are many options for cultivating your chi to support your thyroid. Depending on your time and level of interest, you might look for simple exercises that can be done at home or even find a class or or study with a master. There are a variety of books and DVDs that teach how to practice qigong and Tai Chi, as well as free instructional videos on YouTube. Another personal favorite of mine is this video from Lee Holden, on natural ways to increase vitality:

One simple option for cultivating qi that can support the thyroid can be done standing, sitting or even lying down. It is based on the principle that where your attention goes, your energy flows. To practice this option, get comfortable in your preferred position and gently place your hand on the front of your neck and over your thyroid. Direct your breath to your thyroid. You might even feel your hand slightly move as it follows the gentle expansion of your neck as you inhale and then again with the gentle contraction of your exhalation. It helps to close your eyes or fix your gaze gently as you breathe to help your concentration stay on your thyroid. If you like, you might choose to envision golden light filling your thyroid with healing chi. Continue this breathing for as long as it feels comfortable. Even as little as one minute can be beneficial.

A more active option is to practice a qi gong exercise called “knocking on the door of life.” This exercise strengthens the chi in the kidneys, and it is beneficial to thyroid health because the kidneys are associated with the thyroid in Chinese medicine. To practice this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Begin turning lightly from your hips and waist. Let the arms stay relaxed and follow the movement of the hips while the hands lightly knock against the lower abdomen and the back of the waist where the kidneys are located. The hand from the front arm will gently knock against the lower abdomen while the hand from the back arm gently knocks against the back of the waist. Take deep breaths into the abdomen while performing this movement. This can be done for a few seconds or even a few minutes.

Practice within your level of comfort and ability. If you choose to pursue a more vigorous option, be sure to check with your doctor first to make sure that it is appropriate for you.