Chakra is the result of the energy of the spirit and body combining, allowing ninja to perform techniques.
Short answer, but good lol. That's basically it. Although, it's not exactly a result, but instead it runs through us at all times like our blood streams. Using techniques is simply the act of focusing and controlling the chakra that's already there.
Alright, before we begin, throughout performing jutsu there are three major, but vital steps. This isn't necessarily a rule, it's moreso a rule of my own that I often use when training or teaching. The three steps are:
1. Picturing and planning what your final outcome will be.
2. Focusing a mass of chakra to where it can most easily be accessed in order to use the jutsu.
3. Applying the chakra, by moving it in a way that the picture in your head will become reality.
E.g.
I'll use a powerful move simply to show you how this applies to almost all jutsu (taijutsu excluded however).
I use:
Raikiri (Lightning Blade)
Type:Attack
Rank: S
Range:Short
Chakra cost:40
Damage Points:80
Descripton: A more concentrated version of Chidori.
Making a powerful chidori in the palm of my hand and showing it to you.
The steps of performing these jutsu were the same as I told you. First I pictured a massive amount of sharp lightning chakra coating my hand. Next, I focused a lot of chakra into the palm of my hand. Finally, I applied that chakra to the picture in my head by allowing the chakra in my hand to come around my hand while materializing into lightning.
Basically, that's what I'll be looking for (you don't have to make it that long though lol) when you're practicing a jutsu. Do you pretty much get it?