] Letter from China [00/2 (2)] - Qigong

[Guest guest]

I want to call your attention to something in Dagmar's newsletter concerning the

" Standing Pole " Qigong (Tai Ch'i) exercise.

 

In the directions on how to do the exercise there is one that directs you to put

your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth.

 

What you're doing when you do this is to connect the Yang Governor Vessel (GV)

and the Yin Conception Vessel (CV). (These are special meridians that also have

use in healing and balancing in addition to the 12 meridians named after

organs.)

 

The Yang GV runs up the middle of the back over the head and terminates at a

point above the upper lip. The Yin CV runs up the middle of the front of the

body and terminates in the area of the lower lip. When you place your tongue

against the roof of your mouth behind the teeth, you're connecting these two

meridians and helping to balance the body.

 

You will see this instruction to place the tongue on the roof of the mouth

behind the teeth in other exercises. There's a breathing exercise called Hara

Breathing that uses this placement too. This particular excercise has a number

of uses, one of which is to increase energy in the body.

 

I recommend doing the Qigong exercises. They can be very helpful and very

powerful.

 

*********************

 

" Standing Pole " deeply relaxes all muscles and joints

and is particulary recommended for patients with insomnia.

At the start of each practice, use your mind to

consciously first relax the head, then face, neck,

shoulders and right down to the toes.

Stand with feet apart at shoulder width, toes pointing

forward or slightly outward. Bend the knees slightly,

weight centered firmly on the soles of the feet. Keep

the head and spine erect, chest relaxed and slightly

drawn in, never stuck out. Keep the stomach relaxed and

not pulled in. Gaze straight ahead, eyelids slightly

closed but still permitting you to see. Rest the tip of

the tongue on the upper palate behind the front teeth,

lips and teeth slightly parted. Arms hang loosely by

the sides. Your body should be relaxed but not slack,

breathing completely natural. Every joint should be

relaxed, as if the body is suspended in air, hanging

from the top of the head by a string. Stand like this

for 5 Minutes (less in the beginning), before you assume

the following posture:

Raise the arms forward and upward as far as the level

of your navel, keeping them curved as if holding a ball

in each arm. Keep the fingers apart and slightly curved,

palms pointing in. Hands 3 fists apart and about 3 fists

distance from the chest. Elbows should be slightly below

the level of the wrists. Keep the shoulders relaxed.

Hold the posture for as long as you feel comfortable,

5 Minutes is fine, 20 Minutes even better, 40 Minutes

and you will be at Beijing Park beginner's level...

 

Areas of blocked Qi (energy)in your body will feel tense

and uncomfortable during the exercise. For some people

it's their shoulders, for some the waist, the knees,

the neck, etc. With practice these areas will start to

feel warm and comfortable.

 

 

 

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