Qigong approaches emotions from a significantly different vantage point than traditional psychology. Where psychology may be concerned with past psychological events, qigong deals directly with the visceral.

Qigong is concerned with how emotions effect our physical health through factors such as breathing, posture, circulation and present behavior. Qigong can be a much more effective approach to dealing with unpleasant emotions because focusing on the emotions is not necessary in order to heal.

Rather than analyze psychological factors and such, qigong takes the stance that even though we will encounter negative emotions stored within the body’s tissues, we do not have to analyze or endure the emotions. We are free to actively remove these negative energies and replace them with healthy qi that works for us, rather than against.

That’s not to say that intellectual and introspective conversation isn’t important, because they certainly play an important part in processing daily experiences, emotions and thoughts. Yet awareness of emotions’ effect on our current experience can bring us immeasurable freedom from the stifling feeling of habitual negative emotion patterns.

The best way to change how we feel is to… change how we feel as soon as we notice some old negative emotion or another that we’re simply tired of. After all, emotions tend to become habitual, particularly when attached to deeply meaningful events.

Both qigong and psychology have their places in dealing with emotional difficulties. Qigong certainly helps practitioners have more freedom and control of their emotional responses, and is an important counter to psychology’s approach of analyzing and talking out emotional difficulties, but what do we do when we’re somewhere in the middle and feeling the emotion?

Relax

Relaxation is the key to emotional healing. Healing psychological and emotional damage typically involves both feeling and examining emotions, as well as redirecting emotional energies to create new outcomes of emotional wellbeing. Relaxation is the focus to support us through the ups an downs of emotional healing.

If we realize that conscious emotional healing is likely to involve some unpleasant emotions as we confront and reorganize our internal reactions, relaxation is the grounding force that will see us through the more difficult emotions.

When in doubt, focus on relaxation itself. Go ahead and explore general cleansing qigong exercises as well as specific emotional healing meditations, but if/when it comes down to feeling overcome by emotions, remember the simplicity of relaxation and the joy of finding a comfortable place to be.

Whether it’s a cup of soothing herbal tea, going for a walk or taking a warm bath, focusing on a relaxing and pleasant activity will even things out, allowing you to get on with your healing and enjoying the day.