Ki/Qi/Chi has no direct translation into English, but is typically referred to as “life force” or “spiritual energy”. The difference in the spelling has to do with the location of the art (Korean, Japan, China). Traditional eastern medicine believes chi flows through the bodyand can be used to heal, and that many illnesses come from interruption of chi.
As the martial arts are concerned, it is believed that chi can be developed to increase strength/damage. Internal arts such as Tai Chi and Bagua make heavy use of chi to heal and strengthen the body. Many other martial arts make use of this as well, but to a much lesser extent.
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