WATER FLOWING UNDERGROUND, Talking Heads

Water is hidden in the ground beneath the snows of winter. The flow of creeks and streams is seemingly halted as water becomes ice. 

Water represents the vital essence of life, a reservoir of potential, wisdom, and 

adaptability. During the winter water is in a state of Wuji, the primordial void before differentiation into the complementary forces of Yin and Yang.

 Associated with winter, water embodies the qualities of stillness, reflection, and renewal, 

 The Kidneys along with the Urinary Bladder are the organs of the Water element. The Kidneys store and conserve the body's vital essence (Jing).

A balanced Water element facilitates wisdom, flexibility, and adaptability, allowing individuals to navigate challenges and embrace change. 

Our finest teacher: nature. 

New word: Biophilia: a natural affinity with plants, animals, water. But it's actually more than an affinity, research shows that all humans actually benefit from and have an instinctual need for these connections.

Observing nature provides wisdom and guidance while fostering resilience, patience, and connection. How does this come to be? Observation, reflection, imitation and connecting with something larger than ourselves.

We collect Qi from nature: trees, rivers, stones, while we garden in the earth, feel the warmth of a nice fire, experience negative ions at the beach.

Five elements of nature create a framework for many practices: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. A quick review for those who think in pictures, like me.           

Five elements, Earth as Center, Balance

 

Five Elements, Generating and Controlling Cycles

"Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible nothing can surpass it." Tao Te Jing, chapter 8 

QiGong Water Forms encourage us to observe, and feel ebb and flow as we move the body and breathe in a continuous and unbroken manner. We are drifting along currents while we also push and pull water like the tides. 

Water forms give us a chance to practice Wu Wei, effortless action. 

Savannah friends, where is this fountain?

Let's get into the forms. 

Rippling Waves Water Mudra

• Imagine you’re floating your hands above moving water, Let your motions be fluid and spontaneous. Observe without naming. Feel the water without trying to move the water. Wu Wei.

Move like water

• Feel waves moving up from your feet, up the spine from the sacrum through the neck. Your head, your Bai Hui, is being gently moved like a floating buoy on the surface of the water.

Fountain

• Drawing up from the Bubbling Spring points on your feet, your hands draw water up the central channel through the crown, the Bai Hui. Then your hands separate and fall to the sides of your body. Imagine rain falling. Effortlessly. 

Pushing Waves

• While we imagine pushing and pulling waves, like we’re steering the tides, we can settle in Wu Wei by riding the waves forward and back as the tide moves in and out. 

Daoyin

• Water meets earth. Fluidity as we engage muscles and tendons by stretching. We’ve turned our focus to our bodies. We twist and stretch, opening joints and waking up the spine as we turn one direction, then the other. This is a wonderful introduction to our next form: 

Swimming Dragon

• Whole body spiraling. Our spine opens. Internally we feel the power and flexibility of a dragon swimming through a deep, dark blue sea. In yogic traditions, Kundalini is the latent spiritual energy coiled at the base of the spine. Its awakening is felt as that energy coils up the spine.

6 circles

• I love this variation of Dragon Circles as taught by Konstantin Rekk. it focuses our attention, connecting with Earth, Heaven, Living Beings, Yin Yang, and the Universe. 

I will be practicing the forms listed above as a part of the National Qigong Association Zoom series called Syner-Qi in December. The entire practice will include being escorted by Guardian Dragons through the realms of the Five Spirits.

 Another captivating video forthcoming. 

And just for fun:

I wish you good health and happiness,

Brian

AND THE SEASONS, THEY GO ROUND AND ROUND - Joni Mitchell

 

How often to you feel like you’re in-between two things: two meals, two tasks, two days? Between yesterday and today? Nighttime, an in-between time. Nighttime, a reset. Nighttime, Wuji, emptiness. A time for potential, limitlessness, or the unmanifested, the in-between time. Wuji is described as a state of primordial nothingness or the ultimate void from which all things arise.

Viola part from the Opera "Paul Bunyan" by Benjamin Britten
End of Act One. Perfect. 
Sticker Work by Sam Headlee

“… have faith in tomorrow. That these hours of ambiguity and indecision may also be the hours of healing.”

How about the in-between times seasonally. 

It’s late August or early September, the color of the sky seems a little softer, the evening temperatures are much cooler (at least here in Colorado). But here in the Northern Hemisphere, Fall doesn’t “officially” begin until September 22nd, the Fall equinox.

Even meteorologists concur. “This just doesn’t seem right.” They talk about astronomical seasons defined by the tilt of the earth and meteorological seasons determined by the Earth’s temperature. According to meteorologists, Fall begins right after Labor Day, the beginning of September.   

Winter: feels like it around Thanksgiving. Nope.

Spring: we want to start planting our gardens in early to mid March. Nope.

Summer: here in Colorado we can still have Spring snowstorms in June. Yup.

WELCOME TO THE “DOYO” ZONE

DOYO, a Japanese word used in both traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine.

18 days before each equinox or solstice is a transition time, the in-between time. DOYO periods are governed by the Earth element which is most active and requires extra attention to diet, eating at regular times, observing emotions, practicing moderation, and yes, Qigong and moderate exercise.

Below we have the often used generating and controlling cycle of the elements and the seasons. "Late Summer" or what I call "Harvest" falls between Summer and Autumn. Growing up we called this "Indian Summer."

Five Elements, Five Seasons
Harmony Within Acupuncture

I follow this model of four seasons determined by the Solstices and Equinoxes. Whoa, me? A Pragmatist?

DOYO, again is the transitional 18 days at the end of each season. Some people subscribe to the idea that DOYO starts 10 days before the end and lasts 10 days into the following season. Rebels. 

Mend Acupuncture

As you can see, every season is associated with an element. DOYO, again is associated with Earth element which is both Yin and Yang. 

Sympathy and worry are emotions linked to the Earth element. When balanced, the Earth element fosters empathy and compassion, while imbalances can lead to excessive worry, anxiety, or feelings of being taken advantage of.

The Earth element also governs the “Yi,” intention. It's important to be mindful of what we mentally and physically ingest, as these can impact our choices, as well as our emotional and physical well-being.

Recommendations, what to ingest:

Food supporting Earth element:

• Yellow and Orange Foods.
• Naturally Sweet Foods: sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, rice, squash.
• Whole Grains: short grain brown rice, whole grain breads.

Cooking methods:

• Steaming and slow cooking to maintain nutrients.

Avoid:

• Excessive amounts of dairy, raw foods, and foods that are overly cold or creamy.
• Processed foods and added sugars: Limit or avoid processed foods, added sugar, and overly salty foods. 
• Excessive Sweetness: While natural sweetness is beneficial, excessive amounts of sweet foods can negatively impact the Spleen and Stomach.

Sing:

Yes, Sing! Every element has an associated sound, through which it expresses itself. The sound of the Earth element is singing. Whether your stage is the shower, the car, or in the middle of a park, get those vocal cords warmed up and sing your heart out!

Qigong: 

I wish you all happiness and good health.

Brian

QIGONG FOR LYMPHATIC FLOW

Talk to any cancer patient and survivor and the topic of lymphatic system will most likely arise. Why?

Lymphedema: a condition characterized by swelling that occurs when the lymphatic system fails to properly drain fluid from the tissues. Lymphedema can not only cause swelling, but also heaviness, and discomfort in the affected areas, typically the arms or legs. 

I have learned in my own journey that no two people share the same cancer story. The prevalence of lymphedema varies significantly depending on the cancer type ranging from 2% to 90%, quite a range. 

My story? I had surgery to remove a sizable tumor from my right rump. The cancer had metastasized to lymph nodes in my groin. Ten nodes were removed, five tested positive for metastatic cancer. Radiation therapy came next, same areas, butt and groin. 

I’ve now been on extremely high doses of prednisone to combat a side effect of immunotherapy. Steroids can cause or worsen lymphedema. 

Cancerous lymph nodes + lymph node removal + radiation + medication = you got it, lymphedema. 

Primary and Secondary Lymphedema

Primary lymphedema is caused by genetic or congenital malformations of the lymphatic system, while secondary lymphedema is caused by damage to, or blockage of, your lymphatic system due to: surgery, lymph nodes are often removed as part of cancer surgery. Even if a cancer had not metastasized to lymph nodes, radiation therapy can cause damage to the otherwise “healthy” nodes. And yes, medications can cause or worsen lymphedema.

Surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer can cause secondary lymphedema in your arm and chest.

Surgery or radiotherapy for bowel cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the reproductive system can cause secondary lymphedema in the legs.

Lymphedema can also happen in people with melanoma or merkel cell carcinoma if lymph nodes have been removed as part of the treatment.

Lymphedema may occur immediately after your lymphatic system has been damaged or blocked, or it may develop years later.

So, you have swelling. Wear those sexy socks. 

Well, there’s more to it: 

Having lymphedema can cause anxiety, this stuff is chronic, it’s going to stick around. Great, one more thing to deal with. Depression, if you know me, you know I paddle board, I bicycle, I walk the dogs. I can’t do these things at least for a while because of other treatment side effects. Bicycling and walking will eventually help, but standing on my paddle board? That will take some time. 

And, how about fashion? Yes, it’s not unusual to see compression socks with shorts. Athletes wear them. And there are some fun compression socks on the market. If people are going to notice my socks, I want them to NOTICE my socks.  

What can be done?

MOVE! 

Unlike the circulation of blood which is driven by the heart, movement of lymph relies on muscle contraction and relaxation. There is no other pumping mechanism. We don’t move? We end up with stagnation, sitting water unable to flow. And, taking certain medications causes further retention of fluids, rain falling on the already boggy area. 

There are techniques and practices which move lymphatic fluids: 

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage performed by a massage or physical therapist
• Dry brushing
• Deep breathing
• Walking
• Staying hydrated

And, you got it QIGONG! 

Qi, our body’s vital energy, moves along meridians. Qi, like lymphatic fluid can become stagnant. The symptoms of Qi stagnation can vary depending on the location and severity of the blockage. 

Emotional symptoms such as depression, mood swings, and irritability are common. 

Physical sensations such as localized or moving pain, digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension and stiffness present themselves. 

But, we can move Qi. We can seek out and utilize:

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Diet
• Herbs 
• TAI QI AND QIGONG! 

 

As I prepare to introduce Qigong to my beloved Cancer Patient Support Group, I intend to incorporate specific movements which will encourage not only the movement of Qi, but also lymphatic fluids.

From warming up, to breathing, circular movements, twisting, muscle contraction, we can move Qi and also lymph. 

I have created two videos of practices addressing flow of Qi and Lymphatic Fluids.

The first is standing. The second is seated and WAS going to be shorter. Have we met?

I wish you health and happiness!

My four verbs: To Heal, To Restore, To Strengthen, To Enliven

Brian

QIGONG PRACTICES FOR CANCER PATIENTS

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.

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. 

A good starting place? Emptiness. 

• Wuji = emptiness stance. An open circle, limitless possibilities, potential, the beginning. 

WUJI: EMPTINESS, POTENTIAL

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

• Then we'll close our practice. Shao Gong. Bows.

I’ve also written a post Qigong for Lymphatic Flow Check it out. 

During my cancer journey I've found resonance in four verbs: 

Heal, Restore, Strengthen, Enliven.

May you find peace throughout your journey. 

Brian

QIGONG FOR CANCER PATIENTS

You know what they say; "when life gives you lemons..."

I have cancer. Well, truth be told, I have a history of three cancers: Stage 0 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (still have it, but it's on the back burner), Melanoma in Situ (resolved), and Stage 3b Merkel Cell Carcinoma (acute, in treatment). 

I'm being very well cared for by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers.

I have amazingly supportive friends and family who look out after me, many are cancer survivors. And, I'm taking care of myself: diet, walks, naps (a lot of naps), sunshine (sunscreen PF 50 at least), paddle boarding and bicycling when I can (not enough), and Qigong. 

Yes, there are days when I'm incapacitated by fatigue. And yes, I have my "sad panda" days and think "this is too hard." 

A very dear Oncology Social Worker named Brendan called me out of the blue one day. We talked, he invited me to join a cancer patient support group. Game changer. 

The first meeting I attended, we all were given a sheet of paper with scribbly lines and a set of water colors to share with our neighbor. We started on our art project. I noticed a shift with other group members who had come in with bad news, or unexplained aches and pains. Having cancer, any new sensation, bodily function, a pimple can set off the red alert button. It seemed to me that two people in the group were having "sad panda" days. 

As we carried on painting, I saw "sad pandas" begin to interact freely, smile, laugh. Their eyes began to shine. Their voices began to sing. 

This "sad panda" went to my next meeting yesterday. I was fatigued and foggy headed because of treatments. I mentioned my observations of painting day. We had all changed our focus from our aches, pains, pimples, new diagnoses, to our paintings. Black scribbly lines turned into stained glass windows, the sun shining brightly through the panes. 

Yesterday Brendan gave us handouts to read about coping with cancer. "Taking care of your emotional well-being." 

• Keep your mind active.
• Have some quiet time. 
• Get physical.
• Stay connected. 
• Get some fresh air.
• Write in a journal. 
• Start a new hobby. 
• Speak with a professional. 

These sound familiar. I practice these ideas with, wait for it, Qigong. 

I had told Brendan that I practice Qigong for my own well-being and also with friends in parks. It didn't take any convincing that perhaps we should see if the group is interested on practicing some Qigong. Turns out they are. So here we go. 

Let's start from the beginning. I've excerpted this from an oncology nursing journal:

Qigong is a mind-body practice that originated in China nearly five millennia ago. It integrates movement, meditation, and breath regulation to improve physical and emotional health. The actions are slow, gentle, flowing, repetitious, and weight-bearing and can be adapted or practiced while sitting, standing, or walking. Qigong styles and forms vary widely, depending on the school of thought and philosophy.

Researchers conducting other systematic reviews involving patients with a range of cancers found improvements in fatigue and overall quality of life as well as positive effects on immune function, cortisol levels, and cancer-specific quality of life.

Developing strategies to improve fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, balance, and mood is critical to support the estimated 20 million U.S. cancer survivors expected by 2026. Based on current evidence, qigong appears to be a safe, noninvasive, and promising supportive approach for symptom management and enhanced quality of life. In contrast to other movement practices, the slow, controlled, and upright practice of qigong makes the modality accessible and safe to a wide range of performance levels. Because it is typically practiced in groups, qigong also provides psychosocial support.

Oncology Nursing Society, July 20, 2020

https://www.ons.org/publications-research/voice/news-views/07-2020/what-evidence-says-about-qigong-patients-cancer

I’ve attached a link to another blog post:  Qigong Practices for Cancer Patients which paints a picture of what a practice may look like. Practice videos will be attached to that page. 

During my cancer journey I've found resonance in four verbs: 

Heal, Restore, Strengthen, Enliven. 

• I look to the sun, the moon, the planets and the stars to heal. 
• I look to the tree tops and clouds to dream and restore. 
• I look to the earth and metals to ground and strengthen.
• I look to the mysterious depths, and to the movement of water to enliven. 

Peace and good health to you. Let's make lemonade. 

EIGHT EXPRESSIONS OF QI

I’ll begin by saying when I lead Qigong practices I don’t call myself a teacher. Why?

Every time I practice with friends I learn something new. They are my teachers.

During our Qigong practices we use words to describe the movements of Qi. 

We are familiar with moving Qi along channels and meridians in the body: up, down, and transverse expressions. 

Lifting from the Bai Hui, the crown.

Sinking, rooting in our feet.

Spiraling up the spine.

Circling around front to back to front to back.

Rotating a Qi ball in all directions.

We move the Qi with our breath.

We are currently practicing a set of forms called The Eight Expressions of Qi. A new friend has just joined our practices. He’s new to Qigong.  

The character for Qi combines the symbol of air, and the symbol for rice. 

The image is cooking rice, rising and expanding steam.

Review Qi in other posts on this blog:

Frequently Asked Questions about Qigong

The Eight Expressions of Qi. 

Picture a large pot of cooking rice. Imagine you stir this pot of hot rice.

Notice the rising steam.

The steam expands.

Hungry for the taste and scent of the steaming rice, we compress and draw steam towards us, joy and satisfaction. 

Our satisfaction transforms into light and illuminates outward. We share. 

Now, feeling that upward expression of the steam, place the lid back on the pot. 

Qi, just like steam, naturally rises. Lower the Qi, and just observe. 

We then disperse, digest, eliminate, let go, make room. 

Practicing this form, you’ll notice that we’re exhaling as we lift our arms and inhaling as we lower them. This may feel backwards to you. 

You may have practiced what’s called Taiji (Tai Chi) Opening. 

We inhale the arms up, and exhale down. 

Lift on the inhale, settle on the exhale. This most likely feels very natural. 

Let’s get back to our new friend, new to Qigong. I describe that reversal of breath as “we are inhaling as though we’re placing the lid back on the pot, steam is creating slight resistance.” 

New friend: “As I’m lowering my arms and inhaling it feels like I’m pushing the Qi from the front of my body but it’s rising up the back, like I’m displacing water.”

Oh boy, new kid just described the Microcosmic Orbit and one of the Energies of Tai Chi. 

He’s never practiced Tai Chi. 

Think water. Spreading evenly as it expands, flowing back to a state of contraction, being pushed through a nozzle, and being displaced by outward pressure. 

Peng: expansion, spread evenly

Lu: contraction, receiving 

Ji : Forward press, focused into a nozzle, straight 

An: displacement, down one side to lift the other. 

I’m going to leave it up to you to practice this set, and feel for yourself: expansion, contraction, pressing, and displacing. Leave a comment if you like. Teach ME! 

Thank you new kid for enlightening me and our group. 

This set is easy to learn, has a nice flow, and is quite evocative. Go for a ride. Explore!

I wish you happiness and good health.

Brian