Oftentimes it is illness or some smaller imbalance we notice that steers us toward thinking and learning more about our bodies and the mind-body connection. For others, discovering the presence of body energy may happen during meditation or some other quiet time, such as just before sleep.

I myself became interested in qi (body energy) one night several years ago when I sort of stumbled onto discovery of the energy centers (or chakras).

Know Thyself

Before reading any in depth qigong lessons or guides, it’s important to maintain a positive inner definition of qigong practice involving something like ‘qigong is a simplifying act of finding balance’. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed by questions of technique, it’s time to take a step back and start at the core of just being with yourself.

Feel the energy moving throughout your body. Ride currents, exploring the many circuits and regions of your body. The simple act of focusing your attention throughout your body in this way has several positive effects.

After a few minutes of feeling and directing energy with your attention, do you feel more awake or energized? Do you feel tingling sensations anywhere as you tour the energy sensations of your body?

Fun with Qigong

Qigong practice, much like meditation, should be practiced only so long as it is enjoyable. Though guides and researching techniques can help me expand upon my knowledge and eventually my qigong skill, they also make have a tendency to feel more like a chore if I try too many new techniques or qigong exercises.

If qigong ever feels like a chore, return to simply being with yourself. Qigong should feel like an adventure and energetic rejuvenation. At the least, the release of negative energy during a time of (health or emotional) crisis can feel like a great and needed cleansing relief.

Being with Yourself

Try sitting or lying still and allowing your attention to drift throughout your body exploring whatever energy or emotional phenomena you may discover. Breathe easy and deep. Mildly remind yourself to elongate and deepen your breathing until you find a comfortably relaxed and deep rhythm that feels good. Focus on breathing with your abdomen, rather than your chest.

Abdominal Breathing

If you are used to chest breathing you may find it worthwhile to retrain the way you breathe to include more abdominal breathing. I found that lying on my back was the easiest way to train abdominal muscles to lead my breathing. Think of your stomach rising and pulling in fresh air much like a bellows. The diaphragm opens down and out. You can feel the bottom, then middle, then top portions of your lungs filling with air.

When you feel that your lungs are full, hold the air for a moment before exhaling (up to half as long as it took to complete the inhalation phase). Slowly release the air and at the end of exhaling push out the remaining air with your diaphragm muscle by flexing your stomach muscles.

At the end of exhaling, while you are squeezing the remaining air from your lungs, picture all the used up air and energy leaving your body. Think of the coming surge of fresh air that will bring new energy to every cell of your body. (and so on)

Using Mind to Explore the Body

You may notice that certain areas are more responsive, in that they immediately begin to tingle or feel warm and energized. You may find other areas that seem thicker or more difficult to navigate. All of these sensations are normal. I like to think of this type of being with my body as an adventurous exploration. We are, after all, macrocosmic entities comprised of myriad organs, tissues, cells and atoms. Wherever I focus my attention there is greater harmony among these aggregates of my self.

When the Mind’s Away…

Perhaps hemoglobin became selfish with the oxygen it carried, its previous interaction with the less than generous oxygen peddlers –the lungs– having left it feeling a little bruised and protective. But as soon as I take a moment to shine attention onto these areas there is a sense of greater good; a common goal that the whole body can tune into.

Hemoglobin reassured, it releases the oxygen, which makes tissues and brain happier, which in turn affects several aspects of health and overall sense of wellbeing. Qigong is a way of getting the various aggregates of self to resonate with that common goal of vitality.

Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due

Take a little time each day when things are quiet and relaxed. Travel along and throughout your body with your mind and get to know some of its triumphs and strengths as well as it’s weaker spots. With a little bit of guidance it’s truly amazing what our bodies are capable of effecting in the way of healing, as well as how these things contribute to overall happiness and sense of wellbeing.

As you continue along in your studies, comparing and contrasting sensations, you will find yourself forming your own maps and understanding of what your body seems to be seeking, if needing fresh energy or release of stale energy, or the happy bubbling along of smoothly flowing energy.

Keep it Simple

They’re fun to look at, but you don’t need diagrams showing the meridians where qi flows. First and foremost, rely only on yourself and your own awareness. This is the most solid foundation you can give yourself. As you develop your qigong practice the ability to assess your body’s needs will grow, thus increasing the efficiency and joy of using appropriate qigong exercises for particular effects or areas of the mind-body.

However it is that you first became interested in qigong, and whatever your type or level of practice, I invite you to develop your knowledge and practice through a variety of means. For myself, reading and personal exploration serve to expand my understanding of qi and how the mind-body uses this energy to keep us stay healthy and happy.

Share What You Know!

In addition to self-teaching I find it useful to compare notes with others. As with many other interests, talking and interacting with others about qigong keeps me motivated and challenged.

I invite you to explore the qigong articles and discussions in this site, as well as share your own experiences so that we may each benefit and continue to grow in our understanding and practice of the healing, rejuvenating effects of qigong. Use the search feature to find the qigong information that best suits your current interest. Or you can browse through the main qigong categories of articles.