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Photo credit: Oncology Nursing Society |
Let’s do this!
Qigong is a new experience for many (most?) people.
Being new, people have questions.
Cancer patients have very specific questions, possible hesitations, and actual physical concerns.
- Will it help me?
- Do I have to be fit?
- Am I going to have to stretch or move in ways that are uncomfortable?
- Is Qigong safe for cancers patients?
- Are there contraindications?
- Is Qigong a religious or spiritual practice?
- I’ve tried meditation, no luck.
- Sounds goofy.
During practice, we’ll answer any and all questions and address any concerns. Ask away.
I’ve created links to other pages on this blog that may address some of your questions.
My intention: introduce easy, enjoyable self-care movements that can be practiced at home. DISCLAIMER:
While Qigong is considered one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qigong is not a substitute for seeking appropriate medical advice and treatment from your medical treatment team.
Participants acknowledge that Qigong practices may include physical, mental activity. Emotions may surface. It is up to the student-practitioner to set boundaries and modify activities during practices as they wish.
While Brian is a Certified Qigong Instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist, he cannot and will not offer advice about medical treatment or determine the effect of any specific exercise on a medical condition.
If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain, or shortness of breath, or discomfort at any time while exercising, you should stop immediately.
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Photo Credit: Red Tread Institute |
We'll start with some concepts and terms. Then practice. We won't do all of the forms listed below. I think big and then reel it in.
- Qi, what is it? Why is it not pronounced Kwee?
- Gong = cultivation. Why? How?
- Meridians and Channels = the subway system carrying Qi throughout the body.
- I'll introduce the Dan Tian, the elixir field of Qi. Grand Central Station.
- At the crown of the head we have the Bai Hui. Lifting from this point lengthens our entire spine, offers support and an air of confidence.
- I'll introduce the LaoGong points on the palms. They’re important.
- Fun fact: depending on the inflection, the Mandarin word LaoGong can mean “palace of toil” or “husband.” Just saying.
- Wuji = emptiness stance. An open circle, limitless possibilities, potential, the beginning.
Practicing mindfully.
- Safety and confidence building: don't think your "forms" (movements) need to look like anybody else's. I'll help you adapt movements so you'll feel safe, and not worried about pain or fatigue.
- Even watching without actual movement is beneficial. You'll find yourself breathing deeply as you sense the movements internally. When I feel paralyzed by fatigue, I simply imagine the forms in my mind.
- Breathe. Qigong forms lend themselves to focused breathing.
- Warm up time. Move and open those joints. Silk Reeling.
- A simple purge to let go of what we don't need. We'll make room.
- We'll play with Taiji rulers to feel those aforementioned LaoGong points.
- We'll put the rulers down and see if we can start to feel the Qi between the palms.
- Next, some very nurturing brushing of the meridians. Like a bubble bath.
- Let's do some nice foundational forms from Ji Ben Qigong. Not all of them, but I like to over prepare:
- Compress Pearl
- Flying Hands
- Opening the Chest
- Upholding the Moon
- Swimming Dragon
- Diagonal Flying
- Cow Turns its Head
- Drawing the Heavenly bow
- Cloud hands
- Then there are forms from the Five Celestial Beings that I like: Green Dragon Breathes Clouds and one called simply Green Dragon Form, which oddly enough conjures images of how my own T-Cells are combatting cancer cells.
- Then we'll close our practice. Shao Gong. Bows.
I'll be creating some practice videos of various lengths. Enjoy five minutes of practice, or follow one video with another for longer practices. I'll post them here.
During my cancer journey I've found resonance in four words:
Heal, Restore, Strengthen, Enliven.
May you find peace throughout your journey.
Brian