The chi like the prana and life energy is the life force breath vital energy. Chi is the spirit that pervades all things, The chi is accumulated in the human body near the navel. Chi circulates through out the body i.e. up and down the left and right sides of the spinal column as el as through different parts and organs of the body. Disruptions or blockages in the circulation of chi result cause illness. In the inner alchemy of Taoism meditative breathing exercises are used to purify and transmute the chi. In Taoist martial arts the adept by training his chi can acquire enhanced abilities. By knowing how to circulate chi an adept can preserve himself from illness.