Balance and Health, The Fundamentals - Part 1: Models of Balance

Welcome to our Balance and Health series in which we’ll explore the fundamentals for living a balanced life. Before we define holistic health and share tips for well-being, let’s first explore different models of balance, applicable to many experiences in life.

Let’s begin with familiar basics. Balance means to position something so that it doesn’t fall. We engage our strength, vitality, and agility to seek balance, in the literal sense, to remain upright against the force of gravity; but balance, as it relates to health and quality of life, is more than just opposing gravity. 

Balance is also defined as the action to keep or put something in a steady position. To maintain physical health, we seek to steady hunger, thirst, body temperature, heart rate, blood sugar levels. We seek balance in emotional and mental perceptions to steady our stress-level responses, to experience greater ease and joy.

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As life force energy, qi is present in our experience as body/mind/spirit. In the beginning of life, two cells unite and the impetus that creates a human life begins. The qi, as life force intelligence, facilitates cell division. Organs form and with enough nourishment and qi from the mother, and all goes well, a healthy baby arrives into the world.

Read more: Fundamentals of Qi - Part 3

For today’s purposes, we will explore the concept of “life force essence” through the lens of “qi” and how qi relates to personal health, balance, vitality and well-being.  

The traditional Chinese symbol for qi depicts steam rising over cooked rice. Originally, it depicted “mist that rises from the Earth to form clouds,” “heat waves rising” and “exhaled breath seen on a cold day.” The modern Chinese symbol for qi represents steam, air, gas, vapor, the breath. These components are often invisible and intangible. Yet, steam can power an engine to move. We can think of Qi as the impetus for movement and transformation.

Read more: Fundamentals of Qi - Part 2

Welcome to our Balance and Health series in which we’ll explore the fundamental concept of qi and the practical applications for health, longevity and quality of life. Qi, as an integral aspect of life, is a foundational concept within a Tai Chi or qigong practice.  Similarly, within a yoga practice, is the fundamental concept of prana.  As components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (also known as TCM), one can experience acupuncture and/or cupping. This can be an introduction to the concept of qi flowing through meridians, or pathways within the body. Through Ayurvedic medicine or yoga practice, one learns about nutrition and doshas, the various body constitutions. There is reference to the concept of prana flowing within the body through energy centers, called chakras, and pathways, called nadis.

Read more: Fundamentals of Qi - Part 1