The Lower Dan Tien | Manipura Chakra

The Lower Dantian, also known as the "elixer field" or "sea of chi", is regarded as the center of physical strength and the source of stamina and origins of our lower animal instincts. It is located in the lower abdominal area about 3 finger  widths bellow the navel , and its energetic boundary is positioned in the shape of a triangle, formed by drawing a line between the navel, Mingmen (lower back), and perineum. These three points form an energetic pyramid, facing downward. This special configuration allows the Lower Dantian to naturally gather and absorb the various Five Element energies from the Earth.






The Lower Dantian collects Earth Qi, is associated with jing (Essence), and supports the first field of the body's external Weiqi (Protective Energy) field. This level of Protective Qi circulates outside the body, extending  roughly one inch beyond the body's tissues. As the Lower Dantian increases in its content of Qi, the stronger more expansive, and thicker, the body's Weiqi field becomes.





The Lower Dantian acts as a reservoir for storing heat and vibration, and is associated with both the External Kidneys (testes), and the Internal Kidneys (Kidney Organs). The body's Prenatal Essence (Yuan Jing), which determines its constitutional strengths and vitality, is stored within the Lower Dantian, and interacts with the Kidney Qi in order to form Kidney Jing




Through focused concentration and meditation, the ]ing (Essence) within the Lower Dantian can be refined and transformed in order to produce Qi (Energy). When sufficient heat is generated in the Lower Dantian as a result of stoking the fire,  mixing with the Kidney Water, the alchemical transformation of ]ing in the Lower Dantian area causes the water of the Jing to turn into steam (Qi), This is one reason why the modern character for Qi is composed of the image of steam rising from rice that is bursting and decomposing . This alchemical transformation is known as "changing Jing into Qi:' and takes place within the Lower Dantian and forms the foundation of many Taoist and Buddhist Neigong systems

The five Elements

In the Taoist way, the  Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) are used to explain, classify, and characterize all natural phenomena. Each of the Five Elements is used in order to describe the unique shape, movement, taste, sound, color, direction, force and energetic functions

for example

-Wood Qi: Expansive, Sprouting, Windy, East 
-Fire Qi: Ascending, Blooming, Hot, South
-Earth Qi: Harmonizing & Ripening, Damp, Center 
-Metal Qi Contracting, Withering, Dry, West
-Water Qi: Descending, Dormant, Cold, North







Traditionally, there are two main cycles used in Five Element Theory to describe the various interactions of energy: the Creating Cycle, and the Controlling Cycle . In life, all energy is in the process of either being created, or dissolving . Yin and Yang

The ancient Taoists believed that the energetic and spiritual components of the Five Elements originally exists as "Five Pure Lights," which emanated as a subtle expression of the "Primordial Luminosity" of the Tao. These "Five Pure Lights" were considered the energies from which all other energies arose. As they transform to become the various dimensions of existence (matter, energy, and spirit), they form the different realms or worlds in which we exist

Within the human body, the energetic qualities of the Five Elements are divided into Yin (solid) and Yang (hollow) organ energies. These Elemental energies sustain the tissues and establish the foundation for all of the body's internal organ systems (e.g., digestive system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, endocrine system, nervous system, etc.). The body's internal energetic states continually change, affected internally by thoughts and emotions, and externally by the various energetic changes of the seasons, and by weather. 

The Three Dantiens

The human body has three important energy centers, that store and radiate energy, similar to the way a battery stores and releases energy. These three powerful energetic centers are called the Three "Dantians" and are located along the center core of the body't Taiji Pole . "Dantian:' is traditionally translated as "Cinnabar Field," or "Elixir Field."

 The primary energetic function of the Three Dantians is to gather, store, and transform lifeforce energy. The energy reservoirs of the Three Dantians are linked externally through the Governing (Sea of Yang Qi) and Conception (Sea of Yin Qi) Vessels; and are internally connected through the Thrusting Vessels and the body's Taiji Pole

 The center of each Dantian is energetically attached to the Taiji Pole, which extends from the Baihui point at the top of the head to the Huiyin point at the center of the lower perineum. Each of the Dantians generate heat, light, magnetic fields, and electrical vibrations. The energetic charge and intensity of each Dantian's vibration and magnetic field is dependent upon the disciple's ability to discipline and control his mental focus, posfure, and respiration.

 Qi moves into the body's Dantians through the body's Taiji Pole. The energy is then absorbed into the body's major organs and surrounding tissues as it flows through the Dantians and into the body's internal and external channels and collaterals. Energy can also be absorbed from the external environment through the body's tissues, channels, and internal organs, and be directed to flow directly into the Three Dantians and ultimately into the center core Taiji Pole.

 Because each Dantian acts like a reservoir, it collects energy and redistributes it into all of the internal organs. This energy also extends from the surface of the body outward, into the three external "Weiqi" (Protective Energy )fields 

What is Chi?

                        What is Chi?

 Chi is a Chinese word meaning aliveness, life force energy or life breath 
- also known as Ki, Qi or Prana. 

Put simply, chi (qi) is that which gives life. In terms of the body, chi is that which differentiates a corpse from a live human being.

 Chi has been studied and documented for over five thousand years, from China and Japan to India, the the Mediterranean and the Americas. Chi is the energy that animates life, recognized as the balance of Yin and Yang (male and female, positive and negative, electromagnetic energy), which flows through everything in creation. Chi is at the foundation of many health and fitness practices such as, Yoga, Internal Martial Arts,Feng Shui and Acupressure, Acupuncture.

Add caption

A strong chi force makes a human being alive and full of vigor, alert and present while a weak Chi force results in weakness and fatigue and sickness. You can increase and develop your chi to overcome illness, become more vibrant and enhance mental capacity by practicing certain energetic modalities such as yoga and chi kung and Internal Martial arts






 Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are based on balancing and enhancing chi to bring the body into a state of optimal health and balancing Yin and Yang and getting to the root cause of any illness in the body which begins on the Chi level and manifests physically as illness








Here is a video of a chi kung Master giving his scientific explanation of what chi means'