What I have learned from my many years of healing practices, meditation and Qigong is that that there is an infinite amount of energy just waiting to be accessed and utilized for our health, empowerment and happiness.
There are 3 Basic Principles in The Art of Practicing Qigong.
When we attend to these principles we come to know the Qi and feel more connected to our self and to everyone and everything in the universe.
1. We become aware of and adjust the 3 treasures to harmonize the body, breath, and mind and maintain an awareness of these 3 treasures throughout a Qigong practice.
BODY
We align with heaven and earth. We reach up into the heavens and sinking down deep into the center of the earth. We gather, circulate and store Qi using gentle dynamic movements. We release obstructions and open the energy pathways that nourishes our organs and physiological functions. This allows the flow of rejuvenating, replenishing Qi to move smoothly throughout the body. As we move the body, thoughts and feelings become more fluid and often move through as well.
BREATH
By simply being aware of our breath we start to calm the parasympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and activate the sympathetic nervous system (rest and restore) and we move into a state of deep relaxation. When practicing Qigong we integrate our breath with the movements and learn how to direct the breath with our mind to send the Qi to where we need healing and balance.
MIND FOCUS/INTENTION
As we move and breathe with focused intention and awareness we naturally stay in the present moment. It is easier during a Qigong practice to stay in the present moment because we are attending to all of our self – body, breath, and mind. Thoughts may come and then move on or do not seem to be present at all. Often visualizations or images are suggested to help clear the mind and return to the present moment. It is always the returning of the mind to the present that is the essence of our healing. When the mind wanders into the past or future old patterns that are not useful and no longer serve us can emerge and interrupt the process of sending clear, focused healing energy to nourish and sustain new patterns of health. Wherever we are, we have right there with us The Three Treasures. In any moment we can adjust the body, breath, and mind and enter into a state of awareness and relaxation.
2. We Focus Our Attention On The Forces Of Heaven And Earth
During a Qigong Practice, we harmonize our human Qi with the essence of heaven Qi, (Yang) and earth Qi, (Yin) using movement, breath, and a focused mind. Like every living being in nature, in the universe, we gather and store the resources of heaven Qi, and earth Qi to balance and enhance the function of every organ, and system of the physical body as well as every aspect of our emotional and spiritual body. All of nature naturally attunes to the laws of the universe, to heaven and earth Qi. When we align with heaven and earth we tap into unlimited resources for healing our body, heart, and mind.
3. We Attend To The Relationship Between Body, Mind, And Spirit
We begin to notice when we adjust one aspect of our self it also has an effect on another part of our self. By deepening our breath, our mind can soften and our spirit is more peaceful. By calming our mind, the breath slows down and deepens and our movements become more fluid. By attending to our spirit, our breathing becomes effortless, our mind becomes clear and we have a greater sense of space and movement in the body.
Through these principles of Qigong, we can clear our body/mind of unwanted Qi. Unwanted Qi was defined by one of my teachers, Qigong Master Robert Peng as “anything that isn’t yours.”
When we cultivate our energy through Qigong practice we become more of who we truly are, beautiful, kind, loving human beings nurturing each other and all of life on this wonderful planet we inhabit together.
When you practice Qigong you begin to feel the ancient wisdom passed down through millennia and a deep connection to all of life.