“Ki” energy (Chi “Qi”) is a fundamental concept in many traditional Asian martial arts, philosophy, and traditional medicine. It basically refers to the cosmic life energy that flows through all matter in the universe and unites all living things, just like air, and provides life. A modern look into it suggests it refers to “Aerobic energy” in our body, a long-lasting metabolic energy, compared to muscle force (“Anaerobic energy”) that depends on muscle tension and drains our energy.

Martial-art practitioners learn how to utilize this energy by relaxing their muscles and working with their breathing power (Jap. “Kokyu”), originating in their lower abdomen, so to unbalance their opponents and lead them into peaceful submission without causing harm.