THE RHYTHM OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Photo by Randall Cook

  

Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, the most Yin time. During this darkness, we turn inward. We reflect just as the moon reflects light and energy from the sun. Winter Solstice is a time of stillness and potential, rest and preparation.

The Tao Te Ching, the classic of Chinese philosophy offers 81 verses about living in harmony with the rhythms of nature, about living a life respecting the underlying order of the universe, the Tao. 

Verse 16 speaks of rest and renewal. How can we energetically root ourselves as we prepare for the return of sunlight?

I do my utmost to attain emptiness;
I hold firmly to stillness.
The myriad creatures all rise together
And I watch their return.
The teaming creatures
All return to their separate roots.
Returning to one’s roots is known as stillness.

Translation by D.C. Lau

Emptiness and stillness. Wuji.

We stand in wuji, emptiness stance as a meditation, and also as a starting place during a practice.

An open circle, limitless possibilities, the beginning. As you see, the wuji circle is not closed. We are open to potential. 

More about wuji: 

Wuji and Other Qigong Terms

Rather than running away from the darkness, the stillness, the quiet of the long nights, we will savor the moment, the primordial state. And then:

The Tao gives birth to the One.
The One gives birth to the Two.

The Two give birth to the Three.

The Three give birth
to the ten thousand things.

The ten thousand things are
bolstered by Yin
and wield Yang.

Together they harmonize as Breath.

Verse 42 of the Tao Te Ching, translated by Jeffrey Mallinson

From stillness we will spiral outwards, up, down, behind, and in front of ourselves. 

The spiral  takes us to the polarity of Yin and Yang. 

Looking at the Yin Yang symbol you'll see two dots. Darkness within the light, and light within the darkness.

The Two give birth to the Three. 

When Qi, life-force is introduced to the duality of Yin and Yang, we have the birth of three, existence of the elements of life. 

The Three give birth
to the ten thousand things.

During our practice on the Winter Solstice we will contemplate the moon and the sun. We will then turn to the stars, or specifically five of the planets which represent the elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth. The elements give birth to all things. 

A study by yours truly

I had the privilege of practicing forms with John Munro at a Qigong conference in Savannah this fall. His wuji practice was the inspiration for our Solstice meditation in movement. 

I wish you happiness, health and inspiration during this reflective time of stillness.

Brian

It's rare that I accompany a Qigong practice with a script. But there are a few things I will mention during our Solstice practice:

• Here in Colorado, the winter solstice daylight duration is 9 hours, 21 minutes and 17 seconds.
• Yesterday, the duration was 9 hours, 21 minutes and 18 seconds. We've lost a second. 
• Tomorrow, the duration will be 9 hours, 21 minutes and 21 seconds. We will gain around 3 seconds. 
• Today is 5 hours and 38 minutes shorter than the June solstice. 
• The extreme Yin energy from the moon is the ideal time to absorb nature's Qi. 
• We will combine gentle, warming, and slow forms with stillness and meditation. 
• Our meditations will include:
• Moon and Sun meditation
• 5 planets/elements/celestial beings meditation
• And a Big Dipper meditation
• Chinese Dumplings or "Jiaozi" are the perfect accompaniment to a Solstice practice. The word jiaozi is similar to an expression that means "transition from old to new." 

WUJI, TAIJI, QIGONG, XI, CHI, YINYANG

It's not the first time that a YouTube video has inspired me to learn more. I watched a video that clears up a lot of questions about meaning and pronunciation of five Taoist elemental concepts. Master Huang’s TED TALK lecture is informative and fun.  The video is at the bottom of this post. I'll offer a brief (me?) synopsis.

YouTube description:  

"Chungliang Al Huang is the founder & President of the Living Tao Foundation and author of numerous best-selling books, including the classic "Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain." 

Master Huang speaks about using the Tao philosophy of TaiJi and YinYang to embrace opposites and make a whole picture/life, and leads the audience through a number of TaiJi movements that incorporate key concepts and all parts of our lives. 
Master Huang paints five key Chinese characters and discusses the role of each in the dance of opposites."

WUJI: An open circle, limitless possibilities, potential, the beginning. As you see, the wuji circle is not closed. We are open to potential. 

We stand in wuji, emptiness stance as a meditation, and also as a starting place during a practice.

TAI: The top character, or “hanzi” in Mandarin Chinese, is Tai. Four strokes: horizontal arms opening, one leg, then the other, then the final stroke in the center, the Dan Tian. 

Expansiveness, with arms open and legs kicking out. Reach for heaven, ground your feet on the earth. 

JI: the hanzi under Tai is made up of two symbols. On the left is a symbol for a tree, reaching upwards. On the right the top horizontal line represents heaven, the bottom line represents earth. The vertical line represents us, people connecting heaven and earth. The square shape on the left of the vertical line is the Dan Tian, our center. The "X" on the right, YinYang. 

Balance. 

TAIJI: polarity. This is often mispronounced as Tai Chi. 

                                                                             

QI also spelled CHI:  Literally means "vapor", "air", or "breath". The word QI is often translated as "vital energy", "vital force", "material energy", or simply as "energy”. I have simplified the concept by saying that QI is synonymous with electricity. But, electricity is just one form of QI. 

The hanzi for QI includes the character for “rice”. Steaming rice is a symbol for the energy provided by food. Like steam, QI rises but also flows in all directions. 

Now, who wouldn’t like a “happy face?” XIN pronounced sheen, sort of, say “she” with your tongue towards the back of your palate and then add an “N”. XIN is the symbol for the “heart-mind.” Here we make the distinction of the brain and the heart. 

Confucius taught that knowledge lies in the heart. In Chinese medicine the heart is the king of all of the organs and also the center of consciousness. Taoism teaches that having a balanced heart will influence all of the senses. 

A lofty “happy face.” 

So where does that take our Qigong in a Park practice today? We will be “painting” the Wuji with shoulder circles and then pausing and breathing into Emptiness. Tai will take the form of Breaking out of the Cocoon. To make some smiles and celebrate the heart, we’ll practice Monkey Raises Paws. Ji, polarity, one of our favorite forms: Separating Heaven and Earth which we like to call Combining Heaven and Earth. 

Again, my inspiration for our practice today? Master Huang. 

Without delay, I present the one and only…

I wish you health and happiness, 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

JI BEN QI GONG

When it was time to deepen my Qigong practice, I enrolled in an immersive teacher training program with Nick Loffree. My intent was to dedicate myself to a structured daily practice, thereby committing to supporting my health. And like I do, I started leading Qigong practices. 

The first set of forms we learned was Ji Ben Qi Gong. A good place to start, Fundamental Energy Exercises. The Ji Ben forms move the body in the most efficient way and circulate Qi along the meridian system of the body. Not only are we feeling the energy, Qi, but we are also effortlessly moving the joints, lengthening muscles and tendons, and directing the flow of Qi. Wu Wei, effortless action.

As with most of Qigong forms, the names of the eight forms of Ji Ben Qi Gong evoke images of nature, mythical creatures, archers, moving clouds... 

• Compressing the Pearl
• Flying Hands
• Opening the Chest
• Upholding the Moon
• Swimming Dragon
• Diagonal Flying
• Cow Turns its Head to Gaze at the Moon
• Drawing the Heavenly Bow

Rather than giving instruction of how to perform each form, I will describe some benefits. The big picture is that each form stimulates different meridians and specific acupoints of the body, while moving Qi, guiding the breath, and calming the mind. I'll briefly define words in Italics at the bottom of the post or in the text. Also, at the bottom of this post you'll find Ji Ben Qi Gong videos that I like.



                      Chinese Jade Stone Sitting Buddha


Compressing the Pearl

We begin by letting the arms and hands "empty" in Wuji, emptiness stance. In this set of forms, our palms face down to the earth while in Wuji.

The hands raise to the level of the lower Dan Tian with the palms facing each other, about six inches apart.

We are hooking up the two Laogong points of the palms.

Pulling the hands and arms away from each other we begin to feel the Qi between our palms. As one teacher said, if you don't feel anything, pretend that you do. It will come. As one student said, it's like we're pulling taffy between our hands and then squishing it back into a ball. Whatever works.

By opening the arms we are creating space for the lungs and the heart. Our arms and hands are creating bellows which can encourage movement of Qi from the lower Dan Tian to the middle Dan Tian and also down to the feet.




Flying Hands

Starting again at the lower Dan Tian, we slowly raise cooling Qi from the water center up to the fire center at the heart.

Our wrists and hands are relaxed. We create space in the joints.

By then moving the hands forward we are purging excess or stagnant Qi away from the diaphragm and heart center.

I like to think of moving clouds away from my heart and dispersing them out to the horizon.

Our bodies raise along with the arms as we inhale. The body sinks slightly on the exhale. We are feeling Qi rise and Qi sink.




Opening the Chest

The name of the form pretty much says it all. Expansion, openness. It's almost as if we're showing off our hearts to the world. Look at me!

We're creating space in the thoracic region, encouraging deep breathing.

Deep breathing is brought to you by a relaxed diaphragm sinking down in the inhale, massaging the lower abdomen, and the digestive system.





Upholding the Moon

This form creates space in the spine by inhaling as we curl forward and down, and connects many heart points.

We stack our hands at the Laogong points without letting the hands touch. As we curl up we direct Qi to our heart center.

The hands are raised overhead until we separate the clouds and place the moon in the sky.

The raising hands scan the body, moving stagnant Qi along the Triple Heater Meridian.

Taoism regards the moon as a source of intuition. Ancient Taoist sages looked to the moon for inspiration. Who doesn't?




Swimming Dragon

If you've practiced Swimming Dragon forms with me, or watched videos, this form is slightly different. Brace yourself.

One hand facing up, the other down. Focus again is on the Laogong points in the palms. The palm up hands rises, the palm down hand lowers. Exhale as they separate, inhale as they come back together.

We feel a diagonal push and pull. Just as with the other Swimming Dragon forms we can be playful, tossing a ball up, bouncing a ball down, although in slow motion. With practice we may even feel movement along the Dai Mai, the Belt Meridian around the waist.





Diagonal Flying
Once again we're flying, once again we're playing with diagonals.
We're playing frisbee, or okay disc golf people, we're throwing a disc.

We start with both hands in front of the body, one hand above with the fingers pointing up, one hand below with the fingers pointed down. We’re standing as though we’re holding a pane of glass between the hands.

Movement is initiated by the lower body, the Kua. We turn from the Kua while standing in horse stance. We throw the disc one direction, return to center and then the other direction. One hand is stretched out to the side, the other hand faces down at our side towards the earth, as if in Wuji.

As with many forms, we're compressing and opening the chest encouraging deep breathing while creating space. But, in this form, one side of the chest is in compression while the other is lengthened and open.

Cow Jumped Over the Moon by 

Wingdomain Art and Photography

Cow Turns Its Head to Gaze at the Moon

Whimsical names deserve whimsical pictures.

We begin as tree huggers. Our arms are rounded in front of the chest as though we’re, yes, hugging a tree. Again, we turn to one side but this time raise the arms and hold the hands as though we’re framing a photo.

What’s different about this form? When we raise the arms, we push back through the mid-back. By doing this we are opening the thoracic vertebrae towards the back while we reach forward with the hands. Being at an angle, we are lengthening one side by creating space between the shoulder blade and the spine.

And then there’s the frame created by our hands, focusing our vision. Towards what? Towards the moon. Remember what the moon represents? Intuition.


Drawing the Heavenly Bow

You're drawing a bow. Your eye is fixed on a target. Taking aim. We're calling on Intention, Yi, and Will-Power, Zhi. We're balancing Jing, our essence, with our intellect.

We're twisting, we're pulling, we're in a deep horse stance, strengthening the lower body.

With our "arrow hand" we're making what's called the Secret Sword Mudra, pointing two fingers in the direction of our target. This Mudra is used in Qigong Healing practices, using the focus of Qi drawn from the fingers to a small concentrated area of our clients body.

We end the practice of Ji Ben Qi Gong with Shao Gong, settling the Qi by drawing our arms up to the level of the forehead and then down in front of the torso back to the Lower Dan Tian.

Glossary of Italicized Terms:

Italics: Crooked words

Wuji: Emptiness Stance. Our feet are grounded. Our knees are unlocked. Our tailbone is relaxed down. We’re lifting from the crown of our heads. Our shoulders are rotated up and back. We’re breathing. We’re allowing our energy to sink down to our and and down to the earth.

Laogong: An acupressure/puncture point in the palm of the hand. It’s a point on the Heart Protector or Pericardium Meridian. Translation: Palace of Labor. This point clears heart-fire. We focus healing energy from this point.

Dan Tian: Power stations. The elixir fields of energy. We have three primary Dan Tians. Lower, below the belly button. Middle, at the heart. And upper, at the third eye.

Triple Heater Meridian: This line is related with the fight or flight instinct. The triple heater also refers to the three Dan Tians in the core of the body.

Swimming Dragon: Qigong forms that spiral the energy in a coiling way up the spine.

Kua: The inguinal crease at the top of the legs. This is a key area as we coordinate movements of the upper and lower body.


JI BEN QI GONG
MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS QIGONG
He ends with a little spontaneous purging Qigong, don't be afraid.

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

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

We Gonged Qi in a Park

Davis Lane Park, Arvada

Springtime. New beginnings. New friends. An old familiar tree that’s about to bloom. A tree that holds a special place for me and for my good friend Erik. Nice place to do some Qigong.



When I practice Qigong with a group, I like to write down the forms (the sweet moves) on a chalk board. Participants in the group may then take a photo of the board so that they can practice these forms at home.

I began our practice by introducing the Dan Tian and Wuji. Check out a previous blog post to see what on earth I’m talking about.

Next up, Silk Reeling. Or as Erik called it, taffy pulling.

We tapped some Meridians and then did 8 of the 18 forms of Shibashi, which means: ready? 18 forms.

Without further ado I’d like to introduce my Silk Reeling practice as well as one on my teacher's practice, Nick Loffree. Enjoy.

Silk Reeling with Nick Loffree




Silk Reeling with Karen Soo (no chickens)



Patting the Meridians and Bone Marrow Cleansing with Karen Soo


ENJOY!

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

Qigong and TCM Terms

A GLOSSARY OF WORDS YOU’LL HEAR

Earlier today I posted a video on Facebook. I adore Karen Soo's teaching, her friendly wave, and her chickens.






Click on the link to warm up with chickens: Karen Soo Warms Up with Chickens

After finishing this video and sharing, I felt compelled to define some terms. Not just Qigong terms, but terms used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These concepts are common also to Yoga and Martial Arts, but perhaps called by different names.

Here is a glossary of terms you'll hear while practicing Qigong.



BAI HUI (pronounced "buy whey"): The Hundred Convergences. Great, huh?

Bai = one hundred, Hui = meeting place. Oh, that helped.

It is the crown on the top of the head, in line with the ears. All of the Yang Meridians meet at this point. (We'll save that for another time.)

In TCM and acupuncture, the Bai Hui is used to clear the senses, balance emotions and behavior, and calm the spirit.

It's helpful to remind ourselves to LIFT AT THE BAI HUI. You'll hear it often.

When you lift your Bai Hui:

You tuck your chin down and inwards. The head bends slightly forward.

You straighten your spine decompressing your vertebrae which will help to avoid or reduce headaches, indigestion, and low back pain and stiffness. And it does a heck of a lot to improve your posture and balance.

BUBBLING SPRING We've gone from the highest to now the lowest point on the body. Karen doesn't reference Bubbling Spring in this video, and the guy pictured above doesn't have legs and feet, but you should know what it is. Located on the sole of the foot, this point is where the Kidney Meridian emerges. It lies in the depression that appears when you curl your toes, between the second and third toes.

It's where we plant out roots. That’s what you really need to know.


                                Bai Hui

                            Bubbling Spring






DAN TIAN (Sometimes spelled Tan Tien or sometimes call the Three Treasures.)

Okay this is a big one people, pay attention. There are three Dan Tians. These are the the elixir fields, the energy centers, the power stations, the cinnabar fields where the deepest energies reside.




The lower Dan Tian located two finger widths below the navel is often where we start and end a practice. It's actually not on the surface of the skin, but on a line that runs straight up the middle of body called the Chong Mai. (That won't be on the test.)

In Taoist practices and Chinese martial arts training, much attention is devoted to connecting with this lower Dan Tian. In doing so we become physically and mentally ‘rooted’ or ‘centered’.

Now, this is where things get dicey. The Taoists came up with these Elixir Fields. Then, the Buddhists and the Yogis said "hold up now, try thinking of it like this..." (Not a direct quote.) This shift was influenced by the Yogic Chakra system. 

There is the Middle Dan Tian. Older models put the Middle Dan Tian at the Solar Plexus. This is the Hara in Yogic traditions. Newer models put the Middle Dan Tian at the Heart Center.

Placing attention at the older Dan Tian connects us with the earth element, grounding. Thinking of that Dan Tian as being higher at the heart connects us to our feelings, our heart-mind.

Then we have the Upper Dan Tian. Fasten your seatbelts. The Taoist older model places this Dan Tian at the heart. The newer models place this Dan Tian at the forehead, the third eye. Both places though conjure images of higher consciousness and intuition.

In a nut shell. All of these centers are recognized and hooked up when we’re practicing. When our candle is lit. I like to use this candle analogy.

The Upper Dan Tian is the illumination, the light created by the flame.

The Middle Dan Tian is the flame, the energy.

The Lower Dan Tian in the actual candle, the wax with the wick traveling up through the middle. This is the the center most often referred to while practicing.

MING MEN translates as “Door of Life”, or the “Gate of Destiny”… It is located in the lumbar vertebrae just behind the Dan Tian. In fact, between the Ming Men and the Dan Tian we have what’s called the “Sea of Qi”.

The energy of the Ming Men is essential for strengthening your body, balancing your mind, and vital sexual energy.

NEIGUAN is known in the “inner gate.” It is located on the interior forearm, near the wrist, about where you would wear your watch. You may be familiar with this point. Pressing on this point can help with nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or chemotherapy or… Wristbands with small plastic knobs that apply pressure at the Neiguan point are worn by boaters. This point also helps calm people who suffering from anxiety, palpitations, hysteria, and insomnia by closing the inner gate, making us feel secure, at home.

SHAO GONG is a downward movement that settles the Qi. During practice we’ve created heat and energy. Heat rises. The practice of Shao Gong settles that upward flame.

WAIGUAN is the “outer gate.” This is a point located on the outer forearm, opposite the Neiguan point. This point releases discomfort or disease that come from our environment: colds, chills, fever, cooties… It is also used by acupuncturists and massage therapists to treat symptoms of the neck, ears, and legs; specifically sciatica, tinnitus and neck pain.

Okay one more:

WUJI is a practice of going to a place of emptiness. Specifically in Qigong, it is a posture that we start the practice with and end with. We root through our feet and lift from our Bai Hui. We create space in the joints. We remain quiet and simply breathe.

The heart of Taoist cosmology is the cycling between Tao-in-stillness and Tao-in-movement: with its dance of yin and yang. Focus and sensations unfold from Wuji, and then return to it.