The concept of vital life energy in Eastern wellness traditions.
Qi (pronounced 'chee') is the fundamental concept of vital life energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine and many Eastern philosophical traditions. It's believed to flow through the body along meridians, and when qi flow is blocked or imbalanced, illness or discomfort results. Various bodywork modalities aim to restore healthy qi flow through the body.
Knowing what qi (chi) means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.