Tai Chi Tips for Self Healing ~ Moving Energy
Chi Gong (or QiGong or Chi Gung or Chi Kung or Qi Gung -- all different ways to attempt Chinese in Roman characters) cultivates energy (“chi” in T’ai Chi practice) through motion. Stand with feet shoulder width apart, and feel the body’s energy sinking deeply in the earth, rooting the body. Imagine energy growing up from the earth through the soles of the feet and exiting the crown, holding up the head like a marionette on a string. Relax while being effortlessly stretched between heaven and earth. Allow a ball of energy, medicine ball sized, slowly lift the arms straight out in front, hands dangling, and then energy extending through the arms and out the fingertips, straightening the hands as it does, until the energy stretches through the fingers to the horizon. Then feel the energy slowly rebounding, pushing the hands to the shoulders, palms facing out ahead, and then slowly ride the descending energy.
When the hands are at waist level, turn the palms up, one hand cupped in the other. Turn the head slowly to the left, looking sideways over the shoulder, and then slowly back to front. Then turn the head slowly to the right, looking sideways over the shoulder, then slowly back to the front. Repeat this sequence three times. Breathe in with the sideways turns, out when returning to front.
Next let the energy slowly lift both arms out to either side, straight out, as if riding on top of the rising energy, hands dangling. When the arms are shoulder height, let the chi flow through the arms to the hands, lifting them, energy shooting out through the now straight fingers to the horizon. Next let the energy push the upper arms slowly together, arms still straight, until the wrists are crossed in front, arms outstretched. Let the hands slowly fall, and let the energy push the wrists toward the body, turning the hands so that the palms face the torso simultaneously.
As the energy descends, place one hand on top of the other, fingers pointed to the other wrist, elbows out to the side, and ride the descending energy as far to the ground as is comfortable. Bend the knees some—as before, this is not a stretching marathon. Then let the rising energy push the palms back up slowly, until again the body is upright and the hands at shoulder level. Repeat three times.
When rising the third time, cross the arms in front of the chest. Slowly let the left arm stretch up to the sky, energy shooting through the fingers to the heavens, while the right arm stretches to the ground, energy shooting through the fingers to the earth. Exhale during this movement. On the inhale, slowly bring the arms back to the crossed position in front of the chest. Exhale again, this time with the right arm stretched to the heavens, the left arm stretched to the earth. Repeat this sequence three times.
When finished, let the arms sink to the sides of the body. Stand for a few moments again feeling the rooted/suspended energy at the beginning (called “wu chi”). For much more, see any of the many beginning Chi Gong books available. There are different forms and thoughts and postures and sequences—but this one is a good start.
Focus on moving energy. Let the body be a reed in the wind, using the chi, not the muscles. This is easier than it sounds, with a little persistent daily practice. Feel the energy exchange with the horizon, the heavens, and the earth. This will not only balance the body’s energy, but also allow a flow around and through the body. Thus, the immune and healing power becomes that of the body’s eco-system, not the body alone. It’s very powerful. A good T’ai Chi class can take this much further as well. |
[/url] 更新日期:2010/12/06 04:11
