Energy = Energia = Qi = Life Force

What does “energy” mean to you? Do the stars, the sun, your thoughts and food, your friends and movement all contribute to your energy somehow? Whether for healing or hurt, we can use our energy to create, change and contribute to the world.

What Does Energy Mean to You?

We posed this question to Master Trainer Marc Coronel, who is quite well known for his “energia” as he likes to call it.

Energy is our essence; it is what made us and it is it is what we are made of, and it’s constantly changing. According to Albert Einstein, “ Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it.”

Energy is our everything; it’s our purpose, our drive, our reason to be. You can look at it physically and see how energy dominates our world, and in turn our inner focus is lessened due to outside influences. If you look at it metaphysically, it’s all about getting “amped up.” Energy can be controlled or exerted through thoughts and actions via movement in the mind or body. It can be healing or destructive, whether through martial arts or the healing arts, or through positive and negative thoughts and intentions. When there is change in your life, energy is expended. Not changing your life also expends energy, but in a form that is converted to wasted potential. There is energy in our food and in the sun to nourish us. We are created with energy, which cannot be destroyed. We have to learn to amplify and control our energy to improve our way of living.

I often prefer to use the word energia instead of energy, as it just makes me feel better and means the same thing. The word energia flows in us like water. Some call it life force others call it Qi.The Qi or energia we have inside us is under our control; we can bring it up or bring it down. Our moods and feelings are all influenced by the “energia elements” - thought, behavior, nutrition, interaction and movement. I believe very strongly that these five elements improved my life and the lives of the people around me when I started paying attention to them. The elements combine to make us who we are. From there the energy is in our hands and we decide our destiny and course.

If you want to increase your energy, take the time to learn about your nutrition choices, habits and results. Are you eating food that gives you energy or that drains it? Understand what you are consuming. Quick fixes do not work and just mask what your body really needs, which is real food. Real food provides real energy because it’s made from pure energy - our planet! Move your body daily and do some things that are new or outside your comfort zone. Have fun with movement. Get your endorphins flowing through movement and laughter! Most importantly, have a group of friends and family you can build and depend on, and let them know they can expect the same from you. Amplify your energia together!

Marc Coronel is a Master Instructor for Qignition, Senior Master Instructor and conference presenter for TRX®, and consultant. He loves to share his passion for training, movement and education. An expert in connecting people to movement and energy, Marc is known for his humorous, empowering presentations at at Town Sports International New York, ACSM, ECA World Fitness, and IDEA.