Ki

Ki is a concept if life force or vital energy.  Ki has no form, mass or body, yet it contains all life in the universe, and anything in the universe that has life has Ki.  In traditional Eastern Philosophy, Medicine and Martial Arts, Ki denotes the essential substance of the body which maintains its vital activities.  All vital activities of the human body are explained by changes in and movement of Ki.  Ki is typically associated with external power, fitness, strength, flexibility, etc.  Both the Martial Arts and Eastern Medicine study Ki as their main principle.  

Proper circulation of internal energy, Ki, defines good health.  Eastern Medicine deems improper Ki circulation a pathological disorder.  If Ki circulation is disturbed, eventually disease will appear.  Good mental and physical conditioning help generate good Ki.  Good Ki is then developed and maintained through the Martial Arts and, when necessary, corrected by Eastern Medicine.  

Meridians are the pathways in which our body's Ki circulates.  The meridians, although traceable on the skin's surface, run through the entire body, transporting nourishing Ki to the organs, muscles, skin, tendons and bones.  Thus the meridians are closely connected with the tissues and organs of the body and play an important role in human physiology and pathology as well as in prevention and treatment of illness.