Qigong

Qi has dozens of meanings in Chinese. Breath is one. For example, the character for Qi combines to identify parts of the airways anatomy: the trachea is the Qi pipe. Gong may be translated as work. So, "Breath Work" is one way to translate Qigong.

In Traditional Oriental Anatomy (not to be confused with biomedical anatomy) the lungs provide motive force for circulation and  Qi and blood circulate together. Qigong -Breath Work - increases circulation, with all the attendant benefits - including reducing pain, clearing the mind and imparting a sense of well-being.  

Qigong has more and less physical practices - moving or still. All are meditative. A focus on relaxation is fundamental. Movement should be easy.  Easy and slow is superior to fast and hard.  A comfortable feeling in the body is a goal.  Circulation of blood and lymph improve.  Respiration deepens.  Peristalsis increases.

What I Teach

What I teach is grounded in the "Eight Brocades" exercises and standing meditation. The Eight Brocades develop flexibility, strength and balance. I encourage careful awareness and slow movement.  Simple movements have great benefit when done with focus on relaxation,  good alignment and unified movement of mind and all body parts together. Thus the breath becomes deep, slow and gentle, and practice builds energy. 

Standing (or seated) meditation follows the more active part of the class. Awareness and breath reach throughout the body and qi is absorbed.  At this point the idea of qi as "life energy" becomes meaningful.

Following accumulation of energy through meditation, the energy is encouraged to circulate freely by practicing self massage. This clears congestion or stagnation.

The benefits of practice are soon perceptible. Continued practice builds receptivity and the benefits grow more profound.

I often suggest qigong meditation to my acupuncture clients. It helps with any condition made worse by stress, such as anxiety, insomnia or dermatitis; painful conditions such as neck pain, back pain, abdominal pain or pain following trauma (sprains, strains, fractures, surgery). Any disorder with gradual decline of functional ability, such as multiple sclerosis, benefits.

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Qigong Seated Meditation 

The purpose is to relax the whole body.  Practice can be sitting or standing. 

Sitting Position 

Sit near the front edge of a firm, flat chair. The ideal height of the seat is just a bit higher than the length of the lower leg so the angle between hip and thigh is more than 90 degrees. 

Instructions for Posture: 

Sit in a slightly forward position – directly on the sit bones (ischial tuberosity).

Allow the shoulders to relax and the neck to lengthen

You may imagine that the head is lightly pulled upward by a string attached to the crown.  The point of attachment is where the centerline of the head from front to back intersects a line connecting both ears. The spine hang from the crown "like a string of pearls."

  Be aware of the contact between feet and floor.                 

 Hands may be folded in the lap or placed on the thighs.

  Mental Activity

You will use your mind to seek any tense area in your body.  When you notice tension, give a mental suggestion to relax that tension. Do not do anything, just give that suggestion, then move your attention on to another body part.  Use this pattern: 

Starting at the top of the head, direct your attention down the two sides of the head, of the neck, and down the arms to the ends of the fingers. If you feel tension, give the mental suggestion to relax, then keep your mind moving. 

Starting at the top of the head, send your attention down the back – head, neck, back -giving the suggestion to relax. 

Starting at the top of the head, send your attention down the front – face, neck chest, stomach – giving the suggestion to relax where you feel tension or discomfort. 

You may direct your attention to the above instructions for posture when you wish to. 

Any time you wish, just direct your awareness to your breath coming easily in and out of your lower abdomen.

Your attention may move at different speeds, but the important thing is to keep it moving.  Do not focus.  You should not feel worried or frustrated. Remember, your goal is to relax.  If things seem difficult, remember to smile a little bit. 

Duration of practice can be 5 minutes up to as long as you are comfortable.