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

BA DUAN JIN, THE 8 BROCADES

 

The Ba Duan Jin, or Baduan Jin, or the 8 Brocades, or Eight Pieces of Brocade, is one of the most popular sets of Qigong forms. Ba means eight. Duan refers to the benefits of the exercise, but literally means holding or carrying. And Jin means silk. 

While each form of the set affects different organs and meridians, the overall intention is to express with silken movements. And if you imagine the fascia, or connective tissue, or the Huang as it's referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as smooth silken material that can become crumbled, or thickened, or inflamed; we are smoothing this fine sheet of silk. 

The 8 Brocades can be traced back to a culturally, brilliant era in Chinese history, the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). 

Many subtle interpretations of the 8 Brocades are practiced today. I will include a very informative video by Mimi Kuo Deemer, another two videos by Shi Heng Yi of the Shaolin Temple Europe, and yet another by Vivian Chao. AND, I've just found another video with variations of the forms that I really love. This video is from the Shaolin Temple UK, Shi Yan Ming is demonstrating. Each video is inspiring in different ways. This week we practiced the 8 Brocades as taught by Mimi Kuo Deemer. Next week I will introduce the Shaolin forms. 

Enjoy.

Mimi Kuo Deemer

Shi Heng Yi

And another by Shi Heng Yi

Vivian Chao

Shi Yan Ming

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss

Brian

THE BEAR/DEER CONUNDRUM

Look at various books or watch videos and you will see animal Qigong forms being associated with seasons and elements. One teacher may associate the deer with winter, another with spring. The tiger forms, are they spring or fall exercises? It’s a conundrum.

Taoist practices draw inspiration from nature, movement, the elements and the seasons. Each season is associated with an element, a color, a sound, an emotion, an organ… The organs associated with winter are the kidneys, the element is water. It is especially important to nourish the kidneys during this time. The kidneys store fear but also our self-confidence.

The earliest Taoist practices were inspired by the ways of animals. Shamans drew inspiration from the stars. They saw green dragons, vermillion birds, yellow snakes, white tigers, and black turtles. Eventually these mythical creatures of the heavens were joined by animals walking the earth or flying in the sky. These animal forms were eventually standardized, becoming the Five Animal Frolics.

A previous post called Listening to Trees explores the Five Element and Five Season models commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). But, where do the Five Animal Frolics fit in? Metal is always the element of winter, fire is the element of summer, water is the element of winter… but the animals? The animals take some twists and turns. Literally and figuratively. Get ready to think outside of the box. 

Model #1: Five Elements/Seasons/Organs with the five animals. Reminder: the fifth season is what some call "harvest." Others call it late summer, we used to call it Indian summer. 

Model #2: Five Elements with Five Animals, but the animals are in a different order. 

The inconsistency among these models? Animals. Time to frolic and dance. 

Animal Frolics imitate movements of the tiger, the deer, the bear, the monkey, and the bird. Let's look at the bear. 

Mimi Duo Deemer in her book Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis describes the bear forms: 

"The forms... draw on the power and strength of the bear, but also use twisting and rotational movements that directly stimulate and release tension from the area of the kidneys and adrenal glands." 

The forms that she demonstrates release tension in the back, build suppleness in the waist but also strength the  legs and arms. We release fear and embrace self confidence, "...make me feel powerful and full of perseverance." 

Winter is the season of maximum Yin, time to rest. Winter is when nature lies fallow. Energy is conserved. Plants store resources deep in the earth. 

If we as humans were to follow our natural inclinations, we would seek out cozy, warm havens to settle in for the winter. 

I join some others relating the bear to the harvest season and those "in between times" that occur before each equinox and solstice. Time to gather our resources and prepare for the upcoming season. The Chinese Health Qigong Association describes the bear as clumsy, heavy and slow. The bear sways, the bear lumbers. Focus is placed on the area of the stomach and spleen, organs of the harvest season and the metal element. 

Swaying motions affect the epigastric region, back to the stomach and spleen. During the harvest and fall seasons the bears need to put on weight to prepare for winter and hibernation. This process is called hyperphagia. During hyperphagia bears live for food, don’t get in the way. 

We practice movements imitating these qualities of the bear. Movements nurturing the stomach and spleen. Movements rooting us to the earth. But we’ll also nurture the kidneys and the water element by turning and twisting the waist. 

And now, the deer.

The deer also conjures images and movements of the winter. Deer spring into action, but then they stand still and alert. Yesterday in Colorado we had a snow storm, action. Today feels quiet and withdrawn, stillness. 

Many deer forms utilize lateral flexion and rotation of the waist, home of the kidneys. The kidneys are the organs of water, of winter. 

But then, there are movements that elongate the gall bladder meridian and strengthen the muscles along the liver meridian. 

Gall bladder and liver, organs of the spring and of the wood element.

Mimi Kuo Deemer describes the deer forms as related to the spring. 

“… they follow coiling pattern through the spine that suggest the movements in spring, which are to spiral upwards and outwards. The deer represents grace, sexual vitality and spirit.”

Let’s bring it all together: 

During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-250 CE), an esteemed doctor named Hua Tuo formalized movements imitating the instinctual patterns of animals. He called this practice Wu Qin Xi, or Five Animal Frolics. 

Hua Tuo practiced acupuncture, surgery, herbology and movement. “Movement is the only reason that teeth are falling out and tongue is not!” and that “moving water can’t become stale and that worms can’t be found in door hinges.” 

By moving with intention we learn to trust our inborn animal instincts. We learn and imitate their rhythms and movements as they adapt to the seasonal changes.

Hua Tuo prescribed an order for learning the Animal Frolics: tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. While many have theorized an association with the seasons, his learning order does not reflect a seasonal order.  

Honor the bravery and ferocity of the tiger, the sereneness and attentiveness of the deer, the ponderousness and heaviness of the bear, the nimbleness and smartness of the monkey, and the lightness and grace of the bird. 

The Chinese Health Qigong Association states:

“Wu Qin Xi is not designed just for superficial imitation of the outer attitudes of those animals… the postures and movements of the exercises are elegant, so as to stimulate enthusiasm for learning and practicing the exercises… after a certain period of practice, both physical and mental health are improved.” 

Think and move like the tiger, the deer, the bear, the monkey and the bird.

Become these animals. 

Resource time!

The 5 Element Theory and the associations of each element. The animals listed on this table are from the 5 Sacred Guardians, yet another set from the old days. These are mythical creatures based on Astrology.  That’s for another time. 

Videos to practice with:

Deer Forms, Chinese Health Qigong Association

Bear Forms, Chinese Health Qigong Association

The following four videos are by Alex Hui

Qigong with Kseny

The outline for my upcoming practice

Be well, be happy, respect your instincts, frolic, and follow your bliss.
💗

Brian

HUNYUAN QIGONG

 

During our Tuesday morning practices we’ve been exploring Primordial Qigong. I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago about this set of forms. But, I’ve found another important resource. It’s attached at the end of this post. 

But first, I began our practice today by defining Hunyuan, thereby explaining Primordial Qigong. 

Hun describes a world not divided into concepts. A world without words. We can experience it as an inner silence.

Yuan refers origin. 

The Taoist creation story. 

The Tao gives birth to One. 

One gives birth to Two. 

Two gives birth to Three.

Three gives birth to all things.

Tao Te Ching,  Chapter 42

Lao Tzu 

Translated by Stephen Mitchell

The Tao is expressed as Wuji, emptiness. From emptiness comes Heaven: Yang, and  Earth: Yin. Heaven and Earth, Yang and Yin are combined to create the Taiji axis. 

Taiji, sometimes spelled Tai Chi, means Polarity. 

Hunyuan, Primordial Qigong draws on the Qi from Heaven: the stars, the sun, the moon, the breeze, the clouds… and the Qi from Earth: the elements of metal, wood, and water… and combines them, creating existence, life force, polarity. 

Diagram by Roger Jahnke

    

Next, we talked about Yi: intention, Qi: Energy and Li: Force or Movement. To give these seemingly simple Primordial forms meaning, we focus on the intention which leads the Qi which leads the movements. The plot thickens. 

Since this is Primordial Qigong Part Two, I’ll just hand over some resources. Enjoy!

Click on the link for an in-depth look at Hunyuan Qigong

Hunyuan Qigong by Feng Zhiqiang

More resources are available on-line. I would attach them here but want to respect Copyright laws. 

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss

Brian

DRAGONS, TRANSFORMATION, AND THE SPINE

Yes, I've written about Dragons before. But, I've learned more. 

The dragon is a metaphor for the spine. The sleeping dragon resides at the very base of the spine. When awakened it spirals up from the tailbone up to the crown of the head. Yogis call this the Kundalini. 

Nineteenth century Taoist alchemists created an intricate diagram called the Neijing Tu. This is a depiction of the human body as a microcosm of nature – an "inner landscape" with mountains, rivers, paths, forests, and stars. It is read from the bottom up. I'm pointing out a similarity of the dragon and the Neijing tu. Wait for it. 

At the very bottom of the Neijing Tu we see water being churned by two people on wheels. We are talking about our pelvis, the water center. The water is driven uphill to the tail bone and then the Dan Tian. The water is then heated by fire. Steam is created which travels up the spine. Steam is now a metaphor for Qi. 

A weaver sits on a cliff representing the diaphragm. The trees represent the liver. 

Back to the spine. Next to the weaver is another fire, encouraging the upward flow of Qi. 

Above the weaver is a young man using coins to create the Big Dipper. He is standing at the heart. The heart-mind. He and the weaving woman are lovers. But they can only see each other once a year. I'll get to that at another time. It's complicated. It involves magpies. 

At the top of the Neijing Tu we see the Kunlun Mountains reaching up to paradise. We see two eyes, Yang and Yin. There are also two figures: Lao Tzu is seated above the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. Lao Tzu was the Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching. Bodhidharma brought Buddhism from India to China. The poem near the head reads:

The white-headed old man's eyebrows hang down to earth;

The blue-eyed foreign monk's arms support heaven.
If you aspire to this mysticism;

You will acquire its secret.

Along the spine if you look closely you will see three gates. Qi moves through the gates but does not rest. These gates, or Sanguan, are called Ming Men, Jia Ji, and Yuzhen. You've most likely heard of the Ming Men, the Gate of Life.

Now, about your Back Shu Points. Qi is transported to the organs via the shu points. You may feel tenderness at some of these points. These Back Shu Points are located approximately at the same horizontal plane as the related organ. By pressing or tapping these points we energize the organs by giving them a little hit of Qi. 

Okay, back to dragons. The dragon is associated with the water element. During our practice we are going to move like water. We are going to stretch and twist the Kidney and Bladder Meridians, both associated with the water element. We are going to display claws. We are going to transform Qi by expanding and contracting. We are going to tap Shu points. We will wake the sleeping dragon. "Alexa, wake up the sleeping dragon." We are going to swim. 

No bathing suits required. 

Wait... 

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

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM AND QIGONG

Topics of conversation in November:

We’re already seeing Christmas commercials?

• What should I do with all of those leaves on my lawn? Mulch? Landfill?
• Which ski slope will open first?
• CAN WE JUST GET RID OF CHANGING THE CLOCKS FROM DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME TO STANDARD TIME? 
• It’s going to be dark at 4:00 p.m. My life is over.

Fewer than 40% of the countries in the world recognize Daylight Saving Time (DST). Countries close to the equator say, why bother? They count on roughly 12 hours of sunlight, 12 hours of nighttime.

61% of the American public wants to discontinue this bi-annual tradition of changing the clock.

Guess what. For the time being, we’ve got to adapt, pick up the shattered pieces of our lives and move on.

What can we do?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes a circadian rhythm which considers more than just sleep patterns. The organs and meridians follow a rhythm throughout the day.




I was having a conversation yesterday with people who are both for and against the changing of the clock. What do you suppose the battling points are?

"It’s gets dark so early."
"The sun wakes me up so early."

Or, in my case, our beloved dog Zadie wakes me up early because the sun is coming up and it’s time to go outside to pee, eat, and then play with her wiggle giggle toy. Ugh.

“Zadie, I was having the BEST dream!”

Zadie can’t tell time. She just knows to follow the rhythms of nature. “Sun is coming up, I’m hungry, I’m ready to get to work playing with my wiggle giggle.

Be like Zadie, go with the flow. Embrace rather than resist.



What does Traditional Chinese Medicine have to say about all of this?




First off, Yang and Yin.

Yang = the sunny side of the mountain, light, daytime, active time, awake time…

Yin = the shady side of the mountain, dark, cooler, quiet…

Our rhythms are active when it’s light, and become quiet as it gets dark.

Sunday night, after changing our clocks I climbed into bed at 7:45 p.m. to read. I was sound asleep by 8:00.

Look at that meridian horary chart above. For many of us our morning rhythms begin around 7:00, give or take. We prepare to wake up by first having a really good deep sleep full of dreams and memories. Then, Zadie gets things rolling.

Yin time. It’s dark, time to make dinner. Wait! It’s only 4:00! Zadie wants her dinner and is sulky because she can’t go outside and play with her wiggle giggle. So, we’re retreating. Is it bedtime yet?!?!?

Early morning, Lung and Large Intestine Meridian time. We move first inward: dreams and memories. And then outward: get up and give our new day structure and new meaning. Contract, expand. The associated element is metal. Clarity, renewed convictions, motivation, metal characteristics.

Back in the day when I used to hang out at a yoga ashram, we were encouraged to get up at 4:00 a.m. to practice yoga in a very meditative state.

Encouraged. Well…

Noon-time yoga was energetic. It got our blood pumping and got us perspiring and ready for lunch. Heart Meridian time.


Late afternoon, Kidney and Bladder time. Water element. We move, we flow, we start to wrap up our day. "I hope you HAD a nice day" past tense.


The Kidney Meridian specifically is related to rhythmic change and adaptation. Think of water. It moves and flows down a stream rapidly or in a languid fashion. It gladly follows the topography.


Sea water is affected by the moon, the tides rise and fall.

Water moves around obstacles. It adapts and forges on. The eventual destination is back to the sea. Where it will be drawn up to the clouds and descend back down to the earth to start the adventure all over again.

What can we do? The adjustment is actually easier in the Fall because we don't lose an hour of sleep, we theoretically gain an hour. Unless you have Zadie around.

Update your clocks in advance.
Just like traveling overseas, make yourself stay awake that extra hour.
Turn off the devises.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and snacks before bed.
Take a cat nap during the day if needed. You kidding? I LIVE for naps.

In our upcoming Qigong practice in a park we're going to meet later, 2:00 p.m. rather than 9:00 a.m. This is a Yin time of absorption: slow, easy, mindful. We're going to expand, contract and nurture the Lung and Kidney Meridians.

Lung meridian work: inhale, exhale. Expand, contract. Breathe!

Kidney Meridian work: adapt, change, go with the flow, move like water, don't resist, laugh at obstacles.

I started thinking about this clock change business after watching this video by Sifu Bodhi Battista.

Enjoy!

By the way in 2024, daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, and end for the year at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss
Brian

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