Qigong

Qigong is a type of energetic meditation-in-motion that I had learned a bit about years ago but hadn't practiced in quite some time. I've been working with it recently, though, and I'm finding it very helpful in setting the tone for the day.

It helps that I stumbled across a couple of YouTube videos that demonstrate a very gentle flow that takes less than 20 minutes.

Kuan Yin Standing Qigong Part 1

Kuan Yin Standing Qigong Part 2

This flow is part of a type of Qigong called Sheng Zhen, or Unconditional Love. There are also flows named after other religious figures, such as Jesus and Mohammed, as I discovered when I got hold of the book about this type of Qigong. I like this idea very much, as it shows an honoring of the beauty to be found in various paths.

One thing that is not shown in the above two vids is the zhongtian movement that is meant to start and end each flow, and this is the thing I find particularly useful for coming back to a grounded calmness in the midst of a busy day. It takes less than a minute to use this movement (though if at work, it might be best to duck into an area with some privacy), and once you are used to doing the movement at the start and end of a flow, then using the movement by itself helps to recall that sense of peace and equanimity.

If you click on the link to the vid where Master Li describes the movement, he goes into several layers of meaning to the movement, and whether you think of the surface meaning of cleaning mind, body, and soul or the deeper meaning of connecting heaven, earth and self, again, it's a fairly simple way to reconnect.

Having rediscovered how much I enjoy Qigong and having newly discovered this form, I find I am practicing it nearly daily. At the same time, I find I miss working with Yoga on a regular basis. Finding the balance between the two is going to be the challenge. Perhaps one when I get up and the other before bed? We shall see.