Concepts of Health
Qi: the Life Force 
 
Qi is considered the 'vital energy' that permeates everything in the universe. Everything that is living and moving does so because Qi moves through it. In fact, Qi is known as the life force that maintains good health by nourishing, regulating and defending the body, as well as keeping everything in check.

As such, when Qi moves harmoniously in our body, one experiences good health. However, illness will arise when there is a deficiency or excess of Qi, or when there is a stagnation or disturbances in the flow of Qi in the body’s meridian.

Deficiency of Qi can be the result of poor diet, lack of exercise, and over exertion. The symptoms are fatigue, lethargy, weak voice, pallor and easy perspiration. On the other hand, excess of Qi can be due to external influence like ‘heat’ and ‘cold’, or improper diet. Qi stagnation is due to emotional factors and external injuries.