The Dan Tien, also known as the Tanden in Japanese, is the center of balance and gravity in a standing human body and is considered to be the center of Qi or life force energy. It is located on the sagittal plane or centerline, approximately three finger widths below the navel.
The Dan Tien is considered to be one of the most important energy points in the body and is a fundamental reference point for all Chinese martial arts, meditation, and Chinese medicine. In Japanese martial arts, it is considered to be the source of Ki and is referred to as the Hara. In Yoga, this point corresponds to the Swadhisthana Chakra, the seat of Prana that radiates outwards to the entire body.
The Dan Tien is considered to be the source of the body’s power, balance, and centering. By directing energy to the Dan Tien, martial artists can focus their power and improve their balance, making them more efficient and effective in their movements. It’s also an important point for the practice of Qigong and meditation, where the focus on the Dan Tien can help to cultivate and balance the body’s energy.
