FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT QIGONG

I've been practicing Qigong for a number or years. Last year I began practicing with people in parks and community centers. 

Next up? 

I'm practicing Medical Qigong with individuals and couples at  Sonlight Health and Wellness where I'm also giving massage. These practices are considered Complimentary Alternative Practices along with yoga therapy, massage, acupuncture... Even though Qigong has a long history, it's new for a lot of people. You have questions. 

Fine Print Stuff: These sessions are for education and personal development only. Brian is not a physician, and information provided is not meant to prevent, treat, or cure disease, nor to take the place of care by a licensed health care professional. Our goal is to support and supplement treatments provided by health care professionals. 

Let's get to the bottom of this Qigong business.

What is Qigong?

Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind-body movement practice that restores wellness, builds mental and emotional stamina, reduces stress, and increases vitality. 

• We stretch and strengthen muscles. 
• We use breath and movement to tonify internal organs.
• We create space in the joints. 
• We encourage movement of blood, lymphatic fluids, and Qi: the bioelectricty that circulates through your body.  
• It is one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The others are acupuncture, herbalism, diet, and massage. 

How do you say it? What's with the "Q"?

It is pronounced "Chee Gong." 

Written Chinese does not use an alphabet. The Chinese use characters or logograms. "Qigong" is a transliteration of two characters. Qi and Gong. 

Qi = bio-electricity. Gong = Cultivation. 

The transliteration of the Chinese word 氣功 varies. These Romanized transliteration of Chinese characters is called "pinyin." You may have seen:

• qigong
• qi gong 
• chi gong 
• chi gung
• chi kung 

There are many ways to pronounce the "CH" sound in Chinese. The letter "Q" was chosen maybe because the original Pinyin guys ran out of ways to represent the "CH" sound. 

Is Qigong the same as Tai Chi?

There is an overlap, but no. 

• Tai Chi, sometimes spelled Taiji is a form of martial arts. That being said, it's a slow, meditative practice. There are strikes and blocks and attempts to knock your opponent off balance. 

Hey wait, Qigong is also a slow, meditative practice. 

• It all comes down to intention. First off, we don't have opponents during our Qigong practices. Qi is being cultivated and moved through the body with a healing intention. Both Taiji and Qigong are based on movements inspired by nature. 

Many Qigong practitioners also practice Taiji. And vice-versa. 

What is a practice going to look like?

We will begin by addressing your needs. So, it's up to you. 

• Maybe you'd like to just calm down. 
• Maybe your shoulders and neck are giving you grief. 
• Maybe your digestion has been a little off. 
• Maybe you're prone to headaches.
• Maybe you have chronic sinus problems.  
• Maybe your immune system needs a little boost. 
• Maybe you want support while undergoing cancer treatments. (We may need to get approval from your oncologist.) 
• Maybe you'd like to learn some discreet Qigong forms that you can do while sitting at your desk at work.  
• Maybe it just feels good when someone asks "what do you need?"

While I LOVE practicing outside in parks, weather will necessitate practicing indoors. 

There is a lovely large room at Sonlight Wellness and a park just outside the back door of the building.

We can practice standing or sitting. 

• We begin a practice by warming up, maybe continuing to uncover what you need or want to learn.  
• We purge our bodies and minds of old stuff we don't need to carry around. Lofty ambition, I know. But, just setting that intention really helps. 
• We practice breathing. I know, why practice something we do automatically? That's the trick. We learn to guide our breath. 
• We practice slow gentle movements that address your needs. 
  
• Then, we close by grounding and talking about what you can do after our practice.

Are there different types of Qigong?

There are. I practice primarily Taoist and Medical Qigong. 

• Qigong is practiced and taught also in Buddhist temples. The Shaolin Buddhist Temple teaches a type of Qigong that appears to move towards the Martial end of the spectrum. 
• It is also common to see Medical Qigong practiced in hospitals in China.  
• There is also a Spiritual Qigong, which is even more meditative. And Alchemical Qigong... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. 

So wait, is this a religious thing?

No. 

• I practice Taoist Qigong. Taoism is a philosophy based on observations of nature. While there are those who acknowledge and pay reverence to Taoist deities, that's something different.
• I do refer to "heaven" during a practice. But I'm referring to the energy of the sun, the pull of moon, the inspiration of the stars, the movement of the clouds... But please feel free to also give "heaven" a religious significance. Up to you. 
• You'll hear me talk about Yin and Yang, often associated with Taoism. Again, I am making reference to nature, sunlight and shade, active and passive. 

So, what's Medical Qigong?

Medical Qigong is typically a one-on-one practice tailored to your needs. Qigong is a form of Complementary Alternative Practices (CAP) along with acupuncture, massage, and yoga therapy. 

I'm also happy to work with couples towards a common goal.  As stated above, these sessions aren't to take the place of care provided by licensed health care professionals. 

• During our practice we focus on meridians and acupressure points used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 
• We pay attention to the muscles and joints. 
• We use our breath to practice mindfulness and calm ourselves down. 
• We refer to anatomy, physiology, pathology and theory throughout the session. 

I've seen videos of elderly people practicing Qigong in parks. Do I have to be a certain age to practice?

Heck no. 

• Qigong practices support health, vitality and resilience – this is useful for everyone, young and old.
• Athletes find that practicing Qigong supports their physical performance, focus, and recovery. 
• Young people experiencing attention challenges learn to focus. 
• Office professionals learn how to take short breaks by focusing on breath, or simple stretches or movements even while at their desks. 

What do I wear to a practice?

Fear not, you don't need to go shopping for a pretty silk outfit. 

• We wear comfortable clothes that allow us to move freely. 
• You can wear shoes as long as your toes have room to breathe. You can also practice barefoot.   

Do I have to have any experience before our practice?

No! 

• I will lead you through movements (called "forms") and work with you to adjust to fit the form to your needs. 
• Most people feel benefits after their first session. But as with all studies, I can't "fix" you in an hour, it'll be up to you to practice. 
• I'll give you resources and practice recommendations after each session. 

How can I learn more before I dive in? 

I've written many articles in this very blog. There are also many resources on-line. I like this one:

The Healing Benefits of Qigong by Sifu Bodhi Batista

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss
Brian

Qigong, what is it and how on earth do you say it?

WHAT IS QIGONG?

What is Qigong? What does it mean?
Qi = Life force. It is pronounced "Chee." Gong = Cultivation. Say "Gong" the “”o” is like aw as in paw. 

The ideogram for Qi is made up of steam over rice, implying that Qi is nourishing and ethereal. The rice cooking symbolizes the release and utilization of energy. In the Chinese language, Qi is part of everything. It can be used to describe a person's complexion, the weather and one's emotional state.

Qigong is a practice which hooks us up with nature and with our own personal connection to the world.

There are many styles of Qigong. I practice primarily Taoist Qigong and Medical Qigong. I also love Animal Qigong which has routes in ancient Chinese shamanic traditions. Cool stuff.

While the Taoists and Buddhists were creating Qigong practices centuries ago, Qigong is not a religion or specific to any religion.

Sweet, now what is it?

Qigong is a slow, meditative movement practice. Qigong employs breath work, visualization, meditation and movement. Each practice draws on influences from nature: the elements, animals, the seasons.

Qigong is one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the others being acupuncture, nutrition, herbology, and massage.

Five elements are key to TCM: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.

Five... wait, five? Yes, five seasons are also important in TCM : Spring, summer, late summer which I refer to as "harvest," fall and winter.

There are many animal practices with Shamanic routes: the deer, bear, monkey, crane and tiger. But many other images of mythical animals were conjured as far back as the Paleolithic period: the dragon, a vermillion bird, the white tiger, the black turtle and the yellow snake.

Practicing Qigong with me will introduce you to mythical creatures, connect you with nature and the seasons. And, it will connect you with your body. Again, I practice Medical Qigong. Possible physical shifts may include: decreased muscle pain, breaking up of fascial adhesions, headache relief, sinus pain relief, lower blood pressure, decreased joint pain, more energy, better sleep, balanced moods and on and on and on...

GETTING STARTED

A very dear friend, who lives more than a few hundred miles away, has been inspired. Candace would like to learn more about Qigong, start practicing, see what all of this hoopla is about. But how?

How about finding a teacher? The largest city is an hour away. Even if she found a teacher in this far away city, is that teacher a good fit? What type of Qigong are they practicing? Will motivation be a challenge if she can see them just once a month? 

Are books the answer? I started off with one book by Kenneth Cohen. Is this a good place to start?  

Now, I have maybe thirty books by various authors. But can one learn technique by reading a book? 

I recommend: 

Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis by Mimi Duo Deemer

The Way of Qigong by Kenneth Cohen

Cultivating Vital Energy: a Qigong Workbook and Journal by Bee Buehring

How about the internet? Candace and her husband have just gotten hooked up to the cyber world. There are hundreds of YouTube videos, but will she be watching them on her phone screen? 

Hundreds of videos, hundreds of teachers; again, is this video a good fit? 

I asked my friend Conor "Where did you start?" He and I coincidentally started our practices by watching the same video, over and over again. “Qigong for Cleansing” by Daisy Lee and Francesco Garripoli. I had attended one class prior to finding this video. The instructor had apparently also watched “Qigong for Cleansing.” He did all of the same moves. 

Ah! This must be Qigong! 

I found the video and was on my way. Making a spreadsheet helped my wrap my brain around the practice. 

Conor found that making an outline helped. We were going to get this down! 

An excerpt of the video is at the bottom of this post. 

To see the entire video with the "hows, what's and why's" you'll need to purchase a DVD or you can buy it on Amazon and stream it. Click on the link below.

Qigong for Cleansing

Let's stop for a moment and consider the scope of information about Qigong. When I first started practicing I was filled with confidence. I’ve learned “Qigong for Cleansing!” Cool, I get Qigong!

Ha! I’m now years into my practice and often feel like I don’t know a thing. But, my topic here is "taking that first step." 

I feel like I take that first step every day. 

What do I recommend?

• Explore some Qigong videos on YouTube. I recommend Mimi Kuo Deemer, Nick Loffree, Alex Hui, Karen Soo, "Move with James," "Qigong with Kseny," "YoQi Yoga and Qigong" "Bodhi Acupuncture and Wellness"... Check out my friend Bee's website and videos at Forest Path Qigong. I'll post one below. Once you find a video that resonates, practice it daily. Just follow along. Eventually, you'll feel the Qi. 

• Once you find a video, go to that teacher's website. They may offer live Zoom classes. 

• Find a teacher. Many Yoga studios are now offering Qigong. 

• Go to Meetup.com and look for Qigong groups. Some groups meet live, some hold online events.

• Look on FaceBook for Qigong teachers or groups. 

• Google Qigong near me... 

• Be discerning. Maybe that teacher, that video, that book is a good fit, maybe not. 

An excerpt from "Qigong for Cleansing" by Daisy Lee and Francesco Garripoli

 

Three videos I recommend. Why? 

The teachers beautifully demonstrate the "forms" while offering clear explanations.

                       Top 2 Most Effective Qigong Exercises for Beginners by Nick Loffree

Eight Brocades by Mimi Kuo Deemer

Winter Qigong by Bee Buehring, Forest Path Qigong

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss

Brian

PRIMORDIAL QIGONG

 

WUJI

Emptiness, without limits, void, The ultimate of nothingness. I could leave it there, and say that is all you need to know. Let it "become" on its own. Primordial Qigong. "Primordial" is best described as the world undivided by concepts, words, and knowledge.

That being said, I'll now add words and concepts to try to describe this state of being.

Writing this post is done without pretense. I know nothing, but I’ll tell you what I know. Primordial Qigong is more than a set of forms. It's a story, it's a science, it's a deep rooted philosophy allowing the practitioner to experience primal nothingness and then movement into creation.
The Chinese term "Hunyuan" describes the Primordial Qigong forms.

"Hun" is the equivalent of inner silence.

"Yuan" potential. We are the seed waiting to be planted.

Our "In a Park" group has begun practicing the Primordial Qigong forms and exploring the meaning.

The Primordial Qigong set of 12 movements is based on the Taoist theory of creation, the birth of the universe. As with all Taoist concepts, observations of nature and the balance of Yin and Yang, darkness and light, inspired this creation story and practice.

It’s been suggested that the forms can reverse time by leading us back to the primordial state of potential. The forms can heal.

We start in Wuji stance. Emptiness. Void. Limitless. Space in the joints, the crown of the head lifted, the feet grounded. We breathe. That's it, we just breathe.

Wuji is stillness. Taiji is movement. Wuji exists without an axis. Taiji is a polarity of darkness and light, the moon and the sun, rest and activity, silence and sound…

We lift towards heaven and root to the earth.

"Heaven" is the energy of the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, the galaxies. We feel the warmth of the sun and the pull of the moon. Heaven = Fire = Yang energy.

We absorb the energy of the elements of the earth: water, wood, fire, and metal... Earth = Water = Yin energy.

Wait, Earth = Water? About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water. Water also exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers, and even in you and in your dog.

We stand in the middle combining these energies. Creating what is called the Taiji axis.

Diagram by Roger Jahnke, the Healing Promise of Qi

Primordial Qigong as described by Feng Zhiqiang:

“This exercise is designed to use HUNYUAN QI in the nature to cleanse the JIAO and the five internal organs. The impure QI will be replaced with clear and fresh QI. The natural HUNYUAN QI will combine with the internal HUNYUAN QI” 

Note: Yes, Jiao is a monetary unit in China. Here, Feng Zhiqiang is referencing the San Jiao, the Triple Burner Meridian. This meridian helps transport fluids and disperse heat. 

Between each movement we clear Qi and invite peaceful Qi into the body. Then, we center at the lower Dan Tian. 

The twelve movements:

1. Lower the Qi and Cleanse Internally
2. Gather the Qi to the Three Dan Tian (Upper Dan Tian, Middle Dan Tian, and Lower Dan Tian)
3. Two Hands Rub the Ball
4. Open and Close the Three Dan Tian
5. The Sun and the Moon Turning
6. Circular Extension and Contraction
7. Single Leg Ascending and Descending
8. Double Leg Ascending and Descending
9. Belt Meridian Grinding
10. Heaven and Earth Open and Close
11. Collecting the Qi to the Dan Tian
12. Health Massage Techniques

There are a few YouTube videos of Primordial Qigong. There are variations of the practice. I’ve found this video by Feng Zhiqiang which is fast and in Chinese, but visually useful. 

Mimi Kuo Deemer also has offered a five session Primordial Qigong class which you may buy at Vimeo On Demand. 

And one more thing. Since this post is very black and white, I’d like to share a doodle I did a couple of weeks ago to add some color, some moon, and some sun. 

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss

Brian

AUTUMN AND IMMUNITY

High atop a hill sits a walled city. There is an inner wall and an outer wall keeping the inhabitants of the city safe from unsavory intruders. The city is well fortified.

This walled city is a paradigm for the body. We have defensive walls called Wei Qi (pronounced "way chee"). The inner wall exists just under the skin. The outer wall extends one to two inches from the skin's surface. 

During Qigong practices I also refer to the the Qi Bubble which extends out in all directions. Think of this as the hill you need to climb to reach the walled city. This bubble is your aura or the etheric field, extending roughly ten feet in all directions from the body, another defense against both biological and emotional "intruders." 

How about these unsavory intruders? Pathogens. Germs. Cooties. It's undeniable, they are out there waiting to attack. When they do, a battle ensues and your Wei Qi literally heats up. Wei Qi is a Yang force, hot and energetic. Wei Qi controls the opening and closing of our pores. You've experienced this with night sweats, fevers, chills, shivering. 

Wei Qi needs to be nurtured and developed since its strength can be affected by our movement, our diet, our sleep patterns, our emotions... 

Unlike a static wall, the ever alert Wei Qi circulates around the body. What drives this circulation you ask? The lungs and respiratory system. Seems fair since it is the respiratory system that is first to be affected by invasions of these unsavory, external pathogens. Symptoms of the sinuses, mucus membranes, the throat are all red flags alerting the body of invasion. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the lungs are organs of the metal element. Metal in nature is related to boundaries, what do we let in? What do we expel? 

Every season and every element is connected to not only an organ but also a tissue, an orifice, a flavor, and direction, and a climate.

Metal tissue = skin. 

Metal orifice = nose. 

Metal flavor = pungent. 

Metal direction = west. 

Metal climate = dry. 

During this dry Autumn season we need to take measures to strengthen our Wei Qi. 

First step, breathe. During Qigong practice we may breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. We may inhale and exhale through the nose. But it's best not to just mouth breathe. Why? As we inhale through the nose we moisten the air as it heads to the lungs. Breathing out can depend on the type of movement. Are we purging? We may want to exhale with a sigh or a specific sound. Mouth breathing dries the air and also, well, just looks distasteful. 

Next up, wake up the Qi. We can tap and stretch the meridians, especially down the Yin side of the arm (the pale side) and up the Yang side (tan side) or the arm. The lung meridian runs down the Yin (pale) side. 

The large intestine meridian which is the Yang partner of the Yin lung runs up the Yang side. Aim for the thumb going down the lung and move back up the large intestine from the pointer finger. 

You'll see this demonstrated in the attached video by Sifu Bodhi Batista.

Two other meridians can be tapped and stretched, the Pericardium (Heart Protector) and the San Jiao a.k.a.  Triple Warmer. The Pericardium meridian runs down the middle of the pale side of the arm whereas the San Jiao meridian runs up midline of the Yang (tan) side of the arm. 

The Pericardium acts as an intermediary between the heart and the outside world, functioning in both the physical and emotional realms. One point in particular is a favorite of mine. P6 (pericardium 6). This is known as the Inner Gate or the Neiguan. BRINGING US BACK TO OUR WALL. The wall has gates!

Pericardium 6, Neiguan

P6 calms chest pain, pain in the ribs, palpitations, arrhythmia and hypertension. It relaxes the coronary arteries and is known to have a general analgesic effect. Powerful stuff.


It is also a go-to point for stomach issues such as nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness... Have you seen sailors with special wrist bands? These bands calm sea sickness.

There is an Outer Gate, Waiguan or San Jiao 5. This point is used to treat external unsavory invaders spurred on by wind, cold, heat and damp. It treats fever and many types of headaches.


The San Jiao meridian answers to many names: Triple Warmer, Triple Heater, Triple Burner, and the Triple Energizer. The low down is that this meridian is not connected to a biomedical organ. It has been theorized that it corresponds to the lymphatic or fascial systems.

Okay, great. Walls, gates, elements, breathing... what can we do to strengthen our Wei Qi, our immunity?

Move: Go for walks, leisurely bike rides. BE OUTSIDE! I love practicing Qigong outside in the elements. Move in a way that cleanses and strengthens the lungs. Breathe deeply, into the abdomen. And remember, inhale through the nose, exhale through the nose or mouth. Sweat will help purge unsavory pathogens. Balance exercise with both aerobic (Yang) activity and Yin movement such as Qigong, stretching and breath work. 

Eat unprocessed foods. Think harvest. What is fresh and local? The most common medicinal food in China during Autumn is the pear. Pears are cooling and moistening. Pears have a viscous quality that helps moisten the lungs. It's also advisable to eat warmed foods. Roast those veggies. Heat up that cereal.

Hydrate: Counteract the dryness of the air. Move cooties out of the system through the urine and sweat.

Declutter: Fall is the season of letting go. Clean your house, clean your emotions. Get rid of junk, both physical and emotional. Honor grief, anger, and disappointment, but let them go. Have a garage sale (but don't try to sell your purged emotions).

Slow down: Summer = expansion. Summer is Yang time. As we move into Autumn we slow down and become more introspective. Autumn is Yin time. Between Summer and Autumn we have those 18 days of Earth time which I call Harvest. This season expresses a balance of Yang and Yin. As the trees turn their energy from their leaves to their roots, so too should we begin focusing on our roots. The roots belong in the Kidney realm, and that’s right around the corner. Winter. The lungs are the mother of the kidneys. We should strengthen mom so she may tonify her child. 

Bodywork: Whether it's acupuncture or massage, get it. Mix it up, try a different type of bodywork: TuiNa, Thai Yoga Massage, Qigong Healing. I begin bodywork sessions with Yang influenced energy but transition to a more Yin relaxed, slow pace. 

Dress the part: Wear layers and keep your neck, especially the back of your neck covered. TCM warns that cold invasion will likely happen at your neck, particularly along the cervical spine. A hoody is a good fashion choice. 

Sleep! One of my favorites. As we sleep our bodies replenish, the liver cleanses the blood. We recharge. Practice sleep “hygiene” by leaving your devices in another room. Let them also recharge, but away from the bed. Enjoy a cup of Sleepytime tea. If you want to read, read a book. 

Above our bed I have this quote by W.H. Auden

"Dear children, trust the night and have faith in tomorrow; that these hours of ambiguity and indecision may also be the hours of healing."

Learn about the nature of each season. Live in harmony with the rhythm of the season. If nature is slowing down and contracting, do the same. Be Autumn. Wear an orange hoody. 

I wish you good health! 

I have attached  a video by Sifu Bodhi Batista. 

Bodhi crosses his arms at the lungs before taking an inhalation. His arms are crossing near the Neiguan and Waiguan points, the inner and outer gates. I like to cross my arms so that I’m “layering” these two points one on top of the other facing my chest, but not touching. You will also see him creating a Qi bubble. Creating this bubble strengthens our Wei Qi through intention, Yi. He also practices a from called Trembling Horse. This is a wonderful way to encourage circulation of Qi including Wei Qi.

During our Qigong in a Park session this week we will practice forms focusing on the lung. These will include Dragon and Tiger forms. The Dragon swims, the Dragon flies. Its ability to fly is fueled by the lungs. The Tiger is strong and alert. Its strength comes from the liver, the wood element: resiliency and rootedness.

 

YI, SONG, TING

After hearing me ramble on during a podcast hosted by my teacher and friend Jess Reynolds, a listener wrote to me asking that I elaborate about incorporating Qigong into bodywork sessions. Me elaborate?

Here was my simple answer to Lesley’s question.

Lesley planted a seed. It's her fault. Look out. 

Three words are associated with Taoist practices: 

Yi, meaning intent, concentration or mindfulness. 

Song, (pronounced with a long "o") relaxing or letting go. 

Ting, listening. 

Yi, Intention takes the form of big picture goal setting, and then working towards that big picture using concentration and mindfulness. 

I practice forms of Stick Qigong. One is called Taiji Yang Sheng Zhang. Taiji, another spelling of T'ai Chi, is a martial art. So the movements are coordinated with stick wielding and guided breath and visualization. There are eight beautiful exercises in this form that are seamlessly strung together. 

Intention: Let's look at one form of Taiji Yang Sheng Zhang, namely Iron Stick Calms the Sea. Don't be put off by the name, we use wooden or bamboo sticks not iron sticks.

As explained by the Chinese Health Qigong Association: "Wrist rotation makes up for the lack of such movements in daily life, effectively preventing wrist injury. Guiding the Qi with the stick, and imagining the absorption of nature's essence into your Dantian from the Baihui acupoint nurtures the soul, and helps maintain vitality." Intention, Concentration and Mindfulness. Yi.

While pondering different stick forms, I stumbled on videos of Western Stick Workouts. Sticks are used in exercises that combine joint mobilization, strength training, and active stretching to increase athletic performance, reduce risk of injury, and accelerate recovery. Truly noble intentions, and the workouts can and should be done with intent, concentration and mindfulness. But, I enjoy the references to acupoints and the Dan Tian.

Perhaps a clearer example would be Vinyasa Yoga and Core Yoga. I began my yoga practice at an ashram. The yoga was taught as "moving meditation." My intent was to focus, stop the chatter, and make space in my body. The meditation was focused on moving from one asana to another. What happens between picture #1 and #2? That's the important part of the practice for me. Excuse my over-simplification here, but the primary intention of Core Yoga is to build core strength.



Song, "letting go" is sometimes difficult. We have to change our mindset. What if we use the word relax instead? We learn techniques, we memorize when to inhale and exhale, we correct our body mechanics... What if we just relax and experience after we've learned the "inhale, exhale" stuff? Once this happens, we move effortlessly. New term: Wu Wei, pronounced Woo Way. Meaning: effortless action.

Ting translates as “listening” but it might be better to express it as “heightened awareness.” We learn by listening with our ears, eyes, and even touch. We spend a lot of time in the land of chatter or pensiveness. But then, the chatter hopefully slows down and we feel. We "listen to the energy." It becomes non-verbal. Our movements become a dance. The dance is effortless. Wu Wei.
                    

Qigong and bodywork. I was practicing Qigong with a couple of people the other day. I was teaching the movement, the breath work and the intention of the forms. “Move your body this way; inhale, exhale; by doing this form we are…” I gave the instructions and then I let them practice in silence. I turned my attention to watch their forms. How beautiful they looked. I told them so, they relaxed even more and let the flow happen. Wu Wei, "effortless action." 

As a bodyworker, I begin sessions by observing the client, asking questions, and formulating an intention. That intention will evolve once I place my hands on their body. Touching tells me a lot. I may use techniques common to Swedish Massage, Thai-Yoga Massage, Chinese Tui Na Massage, Qigong Healing, breath-work, but only as “dance steps.”  When I relax and listen to how the client is responding, we dance. I "listen" from the outside. They "listen" from the inside. It's effortless: Wu Wei. 

I've been practicing Dragon Qigong forms. I was recently giving a massage and found myself moving like the Dragon. I had become the Dragon. I relaxed and I KNEW when to inhale and exhale. My body mechanics became organic and free. The massage was effortless, the client loved it. Wu Wei. 

As a music teacher, I encourage the same process. I teach the technique, point out the dynamics and tempo markings. After instructing the technical skills, I ask them to make music by letting go of the technique. Express. Tell me a story, make me want to dance, paint me a picture. Let go of focusing just on technique. Listen to your story. Enjoy. The student in the photo is an excellent performer. But, he can become very stuck, worried about technique. One day, I had him put his viola down and practice a simple Qigong form. "Okay, now play." He did so, beautifully. Wu Wei.

The intentions of Qigong practices are applicable to bodywork practices. To name a few:

Opening joints

Lengthening muscles and fascia

Softening adhesions

Cultivating Qi

Encouraging movement of Qi along meridians

Focus

Relaxation

Letting go

Observation

Meditation

CONNECTING

We coil, we twist, we extend, we contract, we loosen, we stretch, we bend, we move. 

Move effortlessly: Wu Wei.

Challenge: how can you apply these principles to your daily life? Recognize intention. Relax into an activity. Listen with your ears, eyes, and sensations. 

And now for some Stick Qigong

Time to ponder: 

What does it mean when someone says "I had the best intentions." What if those intentions don't work out? Were they still good intentions? My answer is "yes." 

“Intent in the human species is not fixed or locked into a rigid network of energy and information. It has infinite flexibility.”

Deepak Chopra

AND, if you have another hour to spare, here is the Podcast hosted by Jess Reynolds. 

Spotify Interview with Jess Reynolds

"Where the Yi goes, the Qi goes"