The Foundation of Energy: Qi and Prana

At the heart of both TCM and yoga is the recognition that vital energy sustains life. In yoga, this energy is known as prana, the breath-infused life force that flows through the body, responsible for vitality and consciousness. Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, refers to this dynamic energy as Qi, the fundamental force driving physical and mental well-being.

Both Qi and prana share a fluid nature, existing within an intricate system of pathways that govern health. While yoga focuses on nadis, the energy channels directing prana, TCM identifies meridians, the networks through which Qi flows. The similarities between these two models suggest a universal understanding of energy systems—where blockages, imbalances, and stagnation can lead to discomfort, illness, or emotional distress.

The Chakras vs. The Meridian System

An essential aspect of yoga is the chakra system, which consists of seven primary energy centres aligning along the spine. Each chakra corresponds to different aspects of human experience—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The lower chakras influence survival instincts and creativity, while the higher chakras connect to wisdom and consciousness.

TCM, instead of chakras, utilises the meridian system, mapping twelve major meridians that correspond to different organs and functions. Each meridian is linked to an element and an emotion—reinforcing the idea that physical health is deeply intertwined with emotional and energetic harmony.

Despite differences in terminology, the underlying principles remain remarkably similar: energy must flow smoothly for optimal health, and disturbances in these pathways can lead to ailments. Many healing practices—such as acupuncture, yoga postures, and breathwork—seek to restore this flow, ultimately fostering balance and holistic wellness.

The Chakras: Seven Gateways to Energy Balance

Yoga’s chakra system represents the subtle energy centres that influence physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. These seven chakras align along the spinal column, each acting as a gateway for vital energy—or prana—to flow freely throughout the body. When balanced, they support overall harmony, vitality, and consciousness.

Just as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) maps the body’s energy through meridians and Qi, the chakra system provides another holistic lens for understanding internal harmony and healing. Though originating from different traditions, both approaches emphasise that blockages or imbalances within these energy systems can lead to physical discomfort and emotional distress.

Let’s explore the seven primary chakras and their parallels with TCM principles:

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara) – The Foundation of Stability

   • Location: Base of the spine
   • Association: Survival, security, grounding
   • TCM Connection: The kidney meridian governs foundational Qi reserves—essential for vitality, fear management, and longevity. Both systems view this energy as the base of stability, deeply connected to physical endurance and emotional security.

The Chakras: Seven Gateways to Energy Balance

Yoga’s chakra system represents the subtle energy centres that influence physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. These seven chakras align along the spinal column, each acting as a gateway for vital energy—or prana—to flow freely throughout the body. When balanced, they support overall harmony, vitality, and consciousness.

Just as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) maps the body’s energy through meridians and Qi, the chakra system provides another holistic lens for understanding internal harmony and healing. Though originating from different traditions, both approaches emphasise that blockages or imbalances within these energy systems can lead to physical discomfort and emotional distress.

Let’s explore the seven primary chakras and their parallels with TCM principles:

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara) – The Foundation of Stability

• • Location: Base of the spine
  • Association: Survival, security, grounding
  • TCM Connection: The kidney meridian governs foundational Qi reserves—essential for vitality, fear management, and longevity. Both systems view this energy as the base of stability, deeply connected to physical endurance and emotional security.

2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – The Centre of Creativity and Emotion

• • Location: Lower abdomen, just below the navel
  • Association: Passion, creativity, emotional expression
  • TCM Connection: Linked to the water element and sexual energy, resonating with the kidney and bladder meridians. Qi imbalances in these meridians can lead to emotional stagnation or reproductive concerns, mirroring how blockages in this chakra disrupt creative and emotional flow.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – The Power Centre

• • Location: Upper abdomen, just above the navel
  • Association: Confidence, personal power, motivation
  • TCM Connection: Mirrors the fire element, which governs digestion, transformation, and inner drive. The stomach and spleen meridians play a crucial role in energy assimilation, much like how this chakra regulates willpower and self-confidence.

4. Heart Chakra (Anahata) – The Gateway to Compassion and Connection

• • Location: Centre of the chest
  • Association: Love, forgiveness, emotional balance
  • TCM Connection: The heart and lung meridians regulate emotional well-being and Qi circulation, influencing how one connects with others. Both TCM and yoga see the heart as the energetic centre for deep emotional resonance, self-love, and spiritual connection.

5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – The Expression of Truth

• • Location: Throat region
  • Association: Communication, self-expression, authenticity
  • TCM Connection: The lung and large intestine meridians are closely linked to communication, grief release, and mental clarity. Energy disturbances in these channels—whether in TCM or yoga—can manifest as difficulty expressing emotions or feeling unheard.

6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Intuition and Wisdom

• • Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows
  • Association: Perception, insight, intuition
  • TCM Connection: The liver meridian, known for governing vision and mental clarity, resonates deeply with the Ajna chakra. In both systems, when energy is blocked in these areas, individuals may struggle with decision-making or lack intuitive clarity.

7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – The Bridge to Higher Consciousness

• Location: Top of the head
• Association: Spiritual awakening, enlightenment, transcendence
• TCM Connection: While TCM does not have a single meridian corresponding to spiritual enlightenment, the concept of Shen (spirit) housed in the heart provides an intriguing link. Practices such as meditation, Qi Gong, and acupuncture can all enhance the connection to higher states of awareness, mirroring yogic traditions that elevate consciousness.

Yin-Yang Balance and Yogic Practices

Both TCM and yoga embrace the idea of balance—the interplay between opposing yet complementary forces. In Chinese medicine, yin and yang represent this dynamic equilibrium, influencing everything from physical health to emotional states.

Yoga, too, acknowledges this balance. Take Hatha Yoga, which literally means “sun” (Ha) and “moon” (Tha), symbolising the union of opposite energies. Yin yoga, a slower and meditative practice, resonates with TCM’s yin principles—passivity, coolness, introspection—while dynamic practices like Vinyasa align with yang qualities—heat, activity, and outward expression.

This interconnected perspective offers a profound realisation: healing is a harmonious dance between stillness and movement, introspection and expression, passive flow and active engagement. By integrating yin-yang principles with yogic practices, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of balance, both in body and mind.

Practical Applications: How Yoga and Chinese Medicine Complement Each Other

Understanding the synergy between Chinese medicine and yoga can unlock powerful healing practices. Many individuals find that combining acupuncture with yoga enhances their ability to release tension and stagnation. Similarly, incorporating TCM herbal remedies alongside pranayama (breathwork) can strengthen the body’s energy reserves.

Yoga poses can also stimulate meridians—Twists aid liver meridian flow, forward bends calm the kidney meridian, while heart-opening poses encourage lung Qi. By intentionally working with both systems, practitioners can deepen their approach to holistic wellness in the UK and beyond.

Bridging Eastern Health Philosophies

Though distinct in origin, Chinese medicine and yoga share a profound understanding of energy balance. Whether working with chakras or meridians, the goal remains the same—to ensure the free flow of Qi and prana for optimal health.

As interest in holistic wellness continues to grow, integrating Chinese medicine and yoga provides a comprehensive approach to well-being. These time-tested traditions complement each other, offering tools for energy alignment, physical vitality, and emotional equilibrium. Whether through mindful movement, breathwork, acupuncture, or meditation, embracing both practices cultivates a profound connection between the body, mind, and spirit.

Practices such as breathwork (pranayama), meditation, acupuncture, and movement-based disciplines like Tai Chi and yoga provide valuable tools for harmonising these energetic pathways, enhancing both spiritual and physical wellness.

On this International Day of Yoga, embracing these age-old traditions reminds us of the universal pursuit of balance, healing, and holistic wellness. Whether drawn to TCM’s meridian wisdom or yoga’s chakra philosophy, both systems offer invaluable pathways to a more aligned, vibrant, and conscious life.

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