Begin Where You Are
When practicing Qi Gong, align the body and mind with the breath. Standing silently, find your feet on the Earth and be supported by this energy. Gently erect, allow the head’s natural alignment to be free and suspended atop the spine. Rooted in the Earth, stand with feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Be still, with a slight bend in the legs allowing the knee joints to be free. With arms hanging from relaxed shoulders, let the elbows and arm pits be open. Direct your attention inward and find your breath. Simply stand, breathing, releasing unnecessary tension with each exhale. Breathe in fresh energy. With mind calm and alert, you are ready to direct your movements with attention. Enjoy these moments prior to movement, tuning the body, mind and breath.
From this calm, conscious and concentrated state, breathe in as you begin to move, keeping your attention in the hands. Begin moving slowly. The Mandarin term for this is Man Dong or “slow motion.” By moving with a gentle slow motion, it is possible to direct the energy. Man Dong allows you to notice tension in the body. Tension indicates an area of energy blockage. When the tension is released, healing begins. By truly beginning where you are, everything changes; energy is cultivated and freed. You are truly in your body, in the present moment.
At some point the attention will wander. When you notice this, be gentle with any judgement. Rather treat this as an opportunity to choose bring your awareness back, to your breath, to your body, to this moment. Simply come back to where you are and begin again.
Sunlight Qi Gong class begins April 4th, 2017. Register here: https://apm.activecommunities.com/takomaparkrecreation/Activity_Search/qi-gong-sunlight/5096
Photo by Jimmy Brown