You could just replace the word ‘chi’ or ‘ki’ with ‘energy’. Our ability to stimulate it with emotion, store, release and discharge it is our skill in martial arts.

Awareness brightens it, sensitivity connects our mind to it, we need to focus to harmonise the different ways it manifests in our body, bring it together and be able to move it. Intelligent emotional intensity empowers and guards it.

We do all these things anyway as it’s a part of being alive. We do it badly unless we train it and become skilful. This is why we need to meditate, exercise and train to be able to make the most of our energy.

If you’re not paying attention to this in your martial arts study, you need to start now!