The eight pieces of silk
“Your outer life reflects the quality of your Qi.
When you glow inside, the whole world shines”
– Robert Peng
Days of leaping around, doing acrobatic aerobics and being a bit of a gym bunny, were short lived. Those days are long behind me. That’s very O.K.
In recent years, as we’ve embraced a slower, more intentional pace of life, exercise has got slower too. We enjoy long walks in nature. We used to enjoy the personal instruction of a private yogi while in Indonesia, and sunset yoga sessions.
My interest in Qi Gong was piqued a few years ago, by a Vietnamese friend who came to stay with us. She is a trained doctor in Western medicine but practices now as a traditional Qi Gong healer, advising on exercise and healthy balance at mealtimes. Her emphasis is on Chi; the energy that runs through our bodies.
In recent months we’ve all been spending more time indoors. I responded to a watch party invitation on social media, sent by a good friend. She invited us to do a Qi Gong routine at 9 a.m each morning. And while I couldn’t manage to leap up in time for 9 a.m (I’m on my second coffee around then) I’d look forward to a later morning session. I would breathe and been in time with the old lady on the screen. And I’d send my friend a purple heart after each session, just to say “thanks for the link, sending love”.
Qi Gong has become part of my daily life.
I like Qi Gong’s un-fussiness. You don’t need a mat or a special space. You can do the movements in a small space. For three months I practiced the routine in a small holiday cabin. And once I’d learned some of the movements, some days I’d find a spot like this, by the side of the river, on Hisøy island.
Big brother was watching me during all of this. Algorithms. I was invited by a Qi Gong team to take part in a 5 day challenge. I thought to myself, por que non!
Before the 5-Day Challenge, they sent some info about Qi Gong;
“Here are 17 facts about Qi Gong you may or may not know:
1. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese system of postures, exercises, breathing techniques, and meditations. In other words, Qi Gong is a gentle form of exercise that helps improve health and overall well-being.
2. Qi Gong is pronounced “chee-gong.”
3. “Qi” is the Chinese word for energy and “Gong” means skill cultivated through consistent practice. Put together, “Qi Gong” means “cultivating your body’s internal energy.”
4. Qi Gong’s exercises and flows are designed to enliven the body’s Qi. Qi is the fundamental life energy responsible for health and vitality.
5. There are four main elements to Qi Gong practice: 1. Deep breathing. 2. Exercises that Stretch and Strengthen. 3. Slow, fluid, flowing movements 4. A meditative state of mind.
6. The exercises found in Qi Gong involve gentle, rhythmic movements, mirroring movements found in nature, such as a river flowing down a mountain or a cloud floating through the sky or a tree in the wind.
7. There are 12 meridians corresponding to the 12 principal organs. Each organ has Qi associated with it, and affects particular emotions.
8. The Twelve Meridians are the lung, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pericardium, and the “triple warmer”, which represents the entire torso region.
9. In Qi Gong, health is seen as an ongoing process of maintaining the balance and harmony of these meridians, and practicing Qi Gong is one way to keep Qi flowing freely.
10. The origins of Qi Gong date back over 4,000 years to ancient China. As Chinese medicine evolved over the centuries, Qi Gong became a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
11. Qi Gong survived the Cultural Revolutions in China of the 1960s and 1970s, which banned many traditional practices.
12. Qi Gong is often referred to as a mind-body exercise because it explores the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
13. Yin and yang (masculine and feminine energies, light and dark, positive and negative) are important concepts in Qi Gong. One goal of Qi Gong is to balance yin and yang within the mind, body, and spirit.
14. In China, there are hospitals that use medical Qi Gong to heal patients, along with herbs, acupuncture, and other techniques.
15. It’s best not to do Qi Gong on an empty or full stomach. Be comfortably nourished before beginning your practice.
16. Qi Gong is being used in the rehabilitation of patients with severe asthma.
17. Actively practicing Qi Gong helps improve health and well-being for a whole person (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually). Its gentle movements stretch and strengthen muscles, improve balance and flexibility. The movements also help improve circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which can improve the immune system and help to remove toxins.”
The Holden QiGong Team
Moving at the moment is more important than ever. It is vital to be as healthy as we can to protect ourselves. We all need to find ways to managing our emotions and anxieties.
Have you tried Qi Gong?
© Maggie M /Mother City Time