Qi Gong
Breathing and physical exercises to
- get the energy flowing
- improve mobility
- strengthen the body (yes, the body)
- improve health
- increase vitality
- balance imbalances
- release blockages
- promote calm and relaxation
- improve self-awareness
- harmonise the flow of energy
- harmonise yin and yang d and the five phases of change
Qi gong can be translated as ‘working (gong) with the life force (qi)’. A cosmic intelligence lives in Qi, in everything that exists, whereby the vibrational state changes depending on the manifestation. Qi Gong cultivates the life force, develops inner awareness and helps to utilise the breath for one's own benefit.
By performing specific movements, assuming various specific body positions, controlling the breath, directing attention and meditative concentration, it is possible to influence the body, the mind, the energy and the flow of Qi in the body. Different exercises and sequences have different effects. Ultimately, a harmonious flow of energy and a replenishment of energy reserves can be achieved, leading to improved health and well-being, increased resilience, strengthening and improved flexibility, balancing of yin and yang and thus greater relaxation.
Depending on the exercise or sequence, energies can be activated or calmed and balanced.
Here are a few examples (from one-legged exercises in the beautiful Bernina massif)
- ‘The dragon flies in one direction’ strengthens the energy of the heart and the mind as well as the energy of the kidneys.
- ‘The dragon flies with the clouds’ strengthens the body energetically and the energy of the triple warmer (the caretaker of the body, so to speak, is the passageway through which water, food and juices are transported. It is the ‘supreme controlling authority of the entire circulation of juices’).
- ‘The tiger looks at the earth’ strengthens the centre (energy of stomach and spleen), helps to let go, calm down and lower energy (e.g. when there is too much yang, such as stress and restlessness, hot flushes, high blood pressure)
- ‘The tiger observes the four cardinal points’ strengthens the liver and gallbladder
- ‘Turning the windmill’ strengthens the stomach and spleen as well as the yang
- ‘Contemplating the Buddha’ helps to build up strength and yang and activates the energy of the liver, gallbladder and heart and strengthens the mind
My experience with Qi Gong
After the breakdown, I specifically strengthened the weak elements with the knowledge of my constellation in order to allow the energy and congestion of the strong organs to flow constructively into the circulation and to enable a harmonious flow of energy. After around two to three months, I could feel for the first time that this seemed to be working and that my condition was improving. I was able to practise whole sequences without feeling exhausted afterwards. After around six months, I could feel a clear improvement and much more stability and balance, and I began to practise more intensive sequences. Shortly afterwards, while practising, I suddenly realised how the energy was flowing through my body and I could feel goose bumps all over my body. I also began to feel the energetic effect of individual exercises while practising.
One day, while practising in the forest, I realised how, after addressing imbalances with individual exercises in a first step, I could adapt the exercise sequences to the needs of a person's individual constitution, so that in a second step, entire sequences could be practised in a targeted way, so that the energy could be brought into the flow of the elements in a way that suited the individual person. I implemented this for myself, which allowed me to take a further step. The third step was to practise entire sequences in their original form, as the stability was now in place.