Energy Cultivation: Mind Body Spirit Connection

Qigong Principles
Dan Tian (Qi Center) is the center of our physical and energetic body, a field located about 3 cm below the navel. This is where attention is focused when practicing qigong. Often during exercises, one will experience sensations of warm, flowing energy circulating in this area. Qi is said to be like water in a pool. A full pool results in happiness and well-being. However, every physical or mental imposition drains the water a certain degree, and this must be restored for health to remain.

Qigong optimizes the body's homeostatic function by relaxing the central nervous system, freeing the mind from distractions and creating a state of inner stillness.

Qigong works best when the practitioner spends some amount of time each day in quiet introspection. During this period, one's only focus should be "hearing the body," in order to develop a deeper relationship with the inner source of being. Qigong Healing Sounds Exercise A good routine for beginners is mixing sounds with movements in order to develop your awareness of different vibrations in the body. Do these once a day.

Begin taking breaths in through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. As you inhale, press both fists together at the center of your chest, and spread them outward and back, in a big morning stretch motion. As you exhale, bend forward and roll the extended hands out, palms flat. Do this six times. Breath in this manner three times between each step in the routine.

First, put both elbows into your sides, bent at 90 degree angles with you hands in front of the body, fists clenched. Bend over while pressing the elbows into your waist, and making a "shuu" sound. This is meant to force stale qi out of the liver, so that fresh energy can be drawn in. Cleansing the liver will improve its detoxification capabilities. This exercise can also be used to treat skin eruptions, bad breath and body odor, and it aids the liver and gall bladder.

Second, raise the arms straight up, hands outstretched and inhale at the end of the movement. Squat all the way down, and close your fists as you bring your hands level with your head, elbows to the sides. Stand back up slowly, reaching the arms and hands up to the original position while breathing out a "hey you" sound, extended through the motion. Do this to promote heart and small intestine health.

Place both your hands over the Dan Tian area, palms to the body with one hand over the other. Breath out from this area of the body, making a "seee" sound.

Return your hands to the side position level with the head, again with the elbows out to the sides. Twist to the left, and sound out a "whoo" while returning to center. Repeat three times. This will remove stress from the stomach, spleen and pancreas.

Perform the same movement as you did during the original breathing exercise, in which the hands are stretched back from the chest, except on the exhale powerfully thrust out a "seee-ahhh" sound. Do this three times. This exercise optimizes lung and large intestine health

Rub the kidney area or your back while taking a big breath. Stop rubbing, and stand while pronouncing "cherr-rou-eeee." Hold this sound as long as possible, with your hands hanging loosely to the sides. This exercise targets the kidney and bladder.

Maintaining Balance
Although performing this routine daily is meant to unblock the flow of energy in the body, qigong is also a practice centered around bringing the mind and spirit into focus. Through practice and focus, one moves toward establishing a lasting bond with the source of all life.

By Harold E. Sconiers, eHow Contributor

Read more: Qigong for Beginners | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5133396_qigong-beginners.html#ixzz19hkHLLoz