Winter Qigong | Water Element

Описание: In the quiet dark winter months, we work with the yin energy by going within. Qigong practice now focuses on guarding and replenishing our physical energy, building endurance and managing fearful thinking.

In this routine we pay attention to generating chi, with emphasis on the Gate of Life (Ming Men) point on the lower back, and the kidney and bladder meridians.

SWINGING ARMS
Activates the spine and wakes up our energy. Loose fists knock on the Gate Of Life point on the lower back, and on the belly, and then on the lung points at the front of the shoulder.

SHAKING AND PATTING
Shake out any tensions, and then pat down all the major meridian lines on the body, paying especial attention to the kidneys, which are located below either side of the lower back.

KIDNEY RUB
A brisk rub to warm and energise the kidneys. In TCM thought, the kidneys are the seat of our life-force and sexual energy, helping us to combat fear and anxieties. Imagine them surrounded by a blue light (or by blackness, as some prefer).

IGNITING THE INNER FIRE
Activates the lao gong points in the palms, using friction to fill them with warm healing energy.
In horse stance, place the hands together so that the Lao Gong points in the palms are connected.
Shift the weight to one side and rotate the palms together as you press out to that side. Rotate them back again as you return to centre, then smoothly follow the movement out to the other side, continuing the rotational rub of the palms.
Press the palms together - you should feel a gentle warmth of friction building.

WATER ELEMENT FLOW
Place the back of one hand against the Gate of Life point on the lower spine, and the other hand above the forehead, palm facing forward.
Turn to the side, bend, and imagine you are scooping water up with your hand to pour down the spine and kidneys.
The circles get smaller until you are eventually still.
Then point the first two fingers (sword fingers) out in front of the lower dantien. This replenishes your chi.

You can experiment with holding your frame as you bend and scoop. Keep your hand in the same place relative to your centre, so that the movement of the torso draws the circle. This means the hand stays connected to the core. It feels very different to using the hands and arms independently.

TWO HANDS HOLD THE FEET
From the Bad'uan Jin, an energising movement that nourishes the kidney and bladder meridians.
Draw both palms around the belt meridian, from the belly to either side of the Gate of Life point.
Inhale, and make a little back bend, breathing energy from the earth up the legs to the kidneys.
Exhale as you bring the hands round to join in front of the chest.
Inhale as you reach for the sky. Exhale as you bend forward. Hands can reach for the earth or for the feet.
Inhale and straighten, bringing earth energy up to the belly.

DRAGON SPIRALLING UP THE PILLAR
Lovely, calming, nourishing, this restores flow in the kidney and bladder meridians and replenishes life-force energy.
Start with feet together and knees bent with hands down by your sides.
Inhale and turn to one side. That hand goes to the lower back, and the other hand comes to rest at the front of the shoulder. The knees straighten. Twist to look behind you as far as is comfortable.
Exhale, and return to the centre as the knees bend again.

KIDNEY BREATHING
Charging the kidneys.
Rub the hands together briskly then bend forwards and place your palms over the kidneys. As you breathe, imagine warm healing chi from your palms being absorbed by your kidneys.

BRINGING DOWN THE HEAVENS
Inhale, bringing earth energy up through the body.
Exhale any stress.
Inhale the sky.
Then exhale and bring the heavenly energy showering down through every cell.

COMPLETION
One hand over the other on the belly, absorbing the benefits of your practice.

Happy holidays! and here's to a good winter :)

Думаю про вас усіх, Сергію. Сподіваюся, ти в безпеці і в теплі. Слава Україні 🇺🇦
(Thinking of you all, Sergei. I hope you're safe and warm.)


ABOUT AMANDA:
I am a meditation and qigong instructor and have been practising both for more than twenty years. I love sharing this knowledge, it is truly awesome.

CLEAR MIND APP

https://tinyurl.com/aclearmind

I've put the 'Clear Mind' app up on Google Play Store. It's a completely private, offline app to help manage your thoughts, with a great technique to release negative thinking and a password-protected journal.