Dan Tian – Qi Core of Humanity

In Chinese, the definition of “Dan” is the colour 'red', or Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Tian” can be defined as paddy field, or an area that can be mined for treasure or minerals.

In the vast universe, no creature can exist without the core. The principle is that the rotation or revolution of everything in the universe moves around their internal core and external core.

In nature, the core of all kinds of plants, trees and flowers are their roots. Plants can not exist without roots. For example, apples, pears, peaches and apricots all depend on their roots or core to live. Seeds are another form of the core, which induce plants to germinate, grow and produce fruit. Similarly, a country, company, family and an individual require a core to develop and strengthen. Millions of cores rotate and revolve endlessly to move, restrict, oppose, wane, wax, and interact with each other in order to wisely achieve the balance between internal and external. The core unites all things tightly. Meanwhile, the core transmits energy and power to each part of a substance from the inside. Core energy is the vital energy of all creatures; they cannot live without core energy.

1. Where is this core of life? The Dan Tian is below the navel inside the stomach area.


2. What is the Qi Core of the body? The human's core (Dan Tian) is the source of vital energy of life and blood, which includes pre natal energy, post natal energy, and root of wisdom.


3. Why is Dan Tian the Core? Dan Tian is the origin of the seed of humanity. The seed of mankind consist of ovum from the female, and sperm from the male, which originates in the Dan Tian.
   Prenatal energy comes from the Dan Tian: The Dan Tian is a deep source of prenatal energy. Ovum (Yin) and sperm (Yang) combine together in our body (Yin and Yang) to generate embryo and to multiply for the next generation. Dan Tian is the origin of the fetus, humans’ prenatal energy and body. In addition, Dan Tian is vital energy to induce the fetus forming, growing and giving birth. The prenatal energy of each person is inherited from their parents; and it comes with a unique constitution of energy, which decides the composition and personality of each person.
   Post-natal energy comes from Dan Tian:The Dan Tian is also a deep source of post-natal energy. After birth, people rely on energy and blood to survive and to maintain health. Energy and blood is obtained from the nutrition of food and the inhalation of oxygen. People digest and absorb nutrition to form energy and blood. The post-natal energy from Dan Tian combines nutrition from food and oxygen, generates energy and blood, and supplies it to every part of body all the time. Therefore, people give birth and grow, internal organs work, and bodies do activities.
   Wisdom is from the Dan Tian: Wisdom is from the Dan Tian, the sun in our body. It can be regarded as the “gut feeling” in western countries to a certain extent.


4. How do we use and strengthen the Dan Tian? Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises the movement of Dan Tian energy, improvement of energy and blood, and movement of internal organs. They are effective methods to balance the Yin and Yang in our bodies, to cure and prevent disease, to prolong and improve the quality of life, to nourish energy and blood, to maintain optimism and prevent depression.


5. Two methods to use the Dan Tian:
   Open up the body from the Dan Tian.
   Standing: opens up the Dan Tian to straighten the body.
   Walking: opens up the Dan Tian.
   Sitting: opens up the Dan Tian.
   Benefits:
   - Opening up of internal organs and decreasing extrusion between organs.
   - Improved blood circulation.
   - Opening up skeleton and ligament.
   - Reducing stress and anxiety.
   - Maintaining optimism and preventing depression.
   - Helping fertility and gynecology problems.
   - Helping immune system to prevent cancer.
   Breathing from Dan Tian.
   It is a strong performance of energy and blood when we are able to breathe by using the Dan Tian. Breath will be weak and shallow when we are ill, weak, and getting older. Breathing from the Dan Tian improves blood circulation, enhances energy and blood, and maintains a healthy body.
   Strong energy from the Dan Tian leads to strong energy and blood. Moreover, strong energy and blood result in physical health and psychological optimism to prevent depression. Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises are not only to be undertaken in classes, but should also be considered as a natural, daily exercise. Thus, we can be healthier and have more enjoyment in our busy lives.

Prevention and wisdom are the principles of Traditional Qi. Written by: Angela Zhu (TCM Practitioner, Qi Gong & Tai Chi Instructor) © Copyright Angela Zhu 2011