Chi Meditation – Learn How To Control Chi Energy

There are days when I feel off in a way I can’t explain—tired but wired, heavy but scattered. No amount of rest helps, and my usual meditation practices don’t seem to work. That’s when I turn to chi meditation.

Rooted in Taoist tradition, chi meditation helps you reconnect with your body’s energy—your life force—and gently bring it back into flow. It’s not just a concept. You can feel it. When you connect with your chi you feel restful but also alert. 

As a meditation teacher with 25 years experience, I’ve seen how powerful this practice can be for people who feel energetically depleted or emotionally blocked. It can help restore our spirits and release us so we flow.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to work with chi directly—so you can restore balance from the inside out.

What Is Chi Energy?

When most people hear about chi they assume it is just spiritual or metaphysical. And that makes sense because, after all, it’s not like you can directly see chi. But whether you choose to call it chi or just energy, you can definitely feel it—like the tingling in your hands when you hold them close together, or the wave of warmth that spreads through your chest when you finally relax.

So what is it?

Chi (also spelled Qi or Ki) is said to be the universal life force that flows through everything—including you. When chi flows freely through your body, you feel vibrant, energized, and healthy. But when it’s blocked, you may experience fatigue, stress, or even illness. That’s what ancient texts tell us and it is what I’ve seen in my own teachings.

So, what does science say?

Some studies have used MRIs and EKGs to show meditation and shiatsu massage influence the body’s electromagnetic energy. Research from Seoul National University suggests that meridians—channels of chi energy—exist, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes the biofield—a massless field that surrounds and influences the body.

These findings align with Eastern traditions, suggesting that chi-based healing methods like meditation, Tai Chi, and Qigong work. Of course, science isn’t everything. It’s important to work out whether chi meditation is useful for you. That’s why I invite you to try the exercises on this page and see how they make you feel. And to go further I invite you to come and sit with me in a private session. 

How to do Chi Meditation to Control Chi Energy

Chi meditation is about focusing your awareness on your breath and the movement of energy through your body. Follow this step-by-step guide to start your practice.

Chi Meditation Technique

Take your time with each step. The whole process should take around 15 minutes. And it is best practiced with a professional instructor.

1. Find a Comfortable Seated Position
   • Sit with your feet flat on the ground.
   • Keep your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
   • Place your hands in Gyan Mudra (thumb and index finger touching).
2. Breathe Naturally
   • Focus on the cool air moving in and out of your lower abdomen. You want to breathe at a pace that works with your nervous system. This is something I help my students to find in our private lessons.
   • Inhale and visualize energy flowing into your body.
   • Exhale and release tension.
3. Eye Focus
   • Start by gazing at a point six feet in front of you for five minutes.
   • Then shift your gaze downward, gradually bringing your focus closer.
   • Finally, close your eyes and direct your awareness to the tip of your nose.
4. Energy Awareness
   • Feel your breath moving through your nasal passage into your abdomen.
   • Sense the warm energy circulating within you. There are specific ways to do this, and again this is something I work on in our private lessons.
5. Chi Activation
   • Breathe in for three counts, hold for three counts, and exhale for six counts.
   • Visualize impurities leaving your body as you breathe out.
6. Closing
   • Rub your palms together to generate warmth and place them over your eyes.
   • Sit in stillness for a few moments before opening your eyes.

Pro Tip

Many of my students ask if posture makes a difference. I always say, “Try it and see for yourself!” After adjusting their posture, they usually notice an improvement in their energy flow.

Tai Chi & Qigong: Moving Chi Meditation

Tai Chi and Qigong are known as “meditation in motion.” These ancient practices cultivate chi through slow, deliberate movements.

Research from the American Journal of Health Promotion confirms that both internal and external Qigong positively influence energy flow and enhance well-being.

Tai Chi Meditation Exercise

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Hold an imaginary energy ball between your hands.
3. Rotate your hands slowly, feeling the warmth between them.
4. Expand your awareness from your hands to your arms, then your whole body.
5. Repeat with different movements while maintaining mindful awareness.

By focusing your consciousness on your body’s movement, you transform Tai Chi into a deeply meditative practice.

Benefits of Chi Meditation

Here are some of the benefits my students and I have noticed, along with those based on scientific evidence:

• Boosts Energy: Enhances vitality by improving chi flow.
• Reduces Stress: Calms the nervous system and lowers cortisol levels.
• Supports Healing: Encourages the body’s natural repair processes.
• Enhances Focus: Improves mental clarity and concentration.
• Promotes Emotional Balance: Helps release negative emotions and cultivate inner peace.

Finding Your Flow with Chi

When I started practicing Chi meditation, I didn’t expect to feel such a deep connection to my body’s energy. But over time, that steady focus brought more balance and calm into my life.

Many people try chi meditation on their own but never feel anything, which leads them to assume chi isn’t real. In my private lessons, I guide students step-by-step until they can actually feel energy moving in their body—often in the first session.

If you’ve been feeling drained, tense, or disconnected despite meditating regularly, chi work might be the missing piece. And for best results, book a private session with me today.

Paul Harrison

Paul Harrison is a meditation teacher with 25 years of experience and a deep passion for helping others. Known for his empathy and authentic approach, he’s dedicated to guiding individuals and teams toward mindfulness, clarity, and well-being.