Yi Jin Jing
There are over 7000 different forms of Qigong. I've recently immersed myself in the studies of Yi Jin Jing. I’m excited to practice these forms “In a Park.”
Yi = Change or Transform
Jin = Muscle/Sinew/Tendon
Jing = Classic as in a valued piece of work
I mean, come on. Who wouldn't want to practice a series of forms with these cool names?
Wei Tuo Presents the Pestle 1, 2, and 3
The names alone evoke fanciful images of plucking stars from the night sky, ghosts with swords, intentionally dropping plates, and dragons flying while showing off their claws. I mean, how fun is that?
Yi Jin Jing is a sequence of 12 movements that combine raising, lifting, pulling, dragging, holding down, grasping, squatting, and pushing.
These movements combine stretching the muscles, and engaging the tendons and fascia, resulting in improved range of motion and resiliency. Yi Jin Jing also encourages movement of blood, synovial fluids, lymph and Qi. And, we have to use our brains. Like Tai Chi, the movements are sequential and flowing. But you have to know when and where you're going.
Side note (but not on the side): you may read or hear about the stretching of ligaments. Yeah, well... When joints are underused the ligaments go through a shortening process called contracture. We experience ligament contracture whenever we don't move enough (sitting at a desk, like I'm doing right now), hanging out, not moving after an injury or maybe after surgery, or lack of normal movement (arm in a sling). So maybe we’re not looking so much at stretching, but instead at keeping lengthened. Move it!
There are some guiding principles to this practice which, heck, if you ask me, these are good principles to practice in day to day life.
- Quietness: Picture this: calm water reflecting the moon. Calmness allows Qi to flow throughout the body.
- Slowness: Slow movement encourages smooth flow of blood and Qi. Take your time, notice, savor, feel the sensations. Don’t let speed get in the way.
- Extension: Each movement is brought to a comfortable extension. Let yourself spread out.
- Pause: Efficacy comes through waiting and keeping tension for a brief pause, but not too long. Yeah, just pause. Nuff said.
- Flexibility: Moving from loose to extended with limber joints and tissues, and without brittleness. Be like a bow from a bow and arrow or a violin bow. Strive to be not brittle!
The exercises of Yi Jin Jing have proven to be very effective in boosting the recovery of injured muscles and tendons especially of the neck, back and shoulders. We create healthful tension and the relaxation allowing Qi flow. We compress and flush internal organs. We stimulate glands to produce hormones. We lift the spirit and the mind. And we have a heck of good time.
Now, I know you’ve read this far thinking, “who is this Wei Tuo fellow or fella? And why are they presenting a pestle?”
Wei Tuo was a devoted guardian of Buddhist monasteries, guarding the treasures and objects of the Dharma. When the Buddha died, the bad guys came and tried to steal all of the treasures. Wei Tuo said “oh no you don’t” and returned all of the relics. Apparently one of those relics was a pestle. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Okay, next question. Buddhist Qigong. Yes. This very form, Yi Jin Jing was originally and still is practiced at the Shaolin Buddhist Monastery in China and at their satellite schools around the world. So, while I practice primarily Taoist and Medical Qigong, I’m not exclusive. And, while Qigong has serious roots in Taoism and Buddhism, it is not a religious practice. Amen.
Enjoy this video by James Rafael. This is Day 5 of a 5 day class, you can always go to his YouTube page to “catch up.” But, you’ll get the idea from the final day of his course.
May you be happy, healthy, and present in the moment.