Qigong Questions and Answers

Qigong questions and answers. San Bao Qigong blog. Des Lawton, Qigong teacher.

General Qigong Questions and Answers

If you have a question, or wish to add to an answer, please use the comments box (Only available when logged in).

Specific Qigong information and Qs & As

Please note that these “Specific Qigong” questions and answers pages are only accessible by current, active, students of San Bao School.

A few questions

Hello how are you?
I’ve been practicing Chi Kung for about 10 years, and I’m getting deeper and deeper into this wonderful art. With your teachings, I increasingly feel the internal movement of energy flowing. As I only practice Qigong and nothing else, I would like to have your opinion on whether I should keep, in addition to the internal part, movements that work the external part as well, or if it would be better to leave them aside? I am referring, for example, to Yijinjing, and the martial part of 8 pieces, for example. Do you understand that it would be interesting for me to maintain more isometric movements to gain muscle strength or would just using internal movements be enough? I watched and practiced a class of yours on Extraordinary Meridians, where you focus on specific meridians, and I found it very interesting, mentally I can now understand a little how the mind moves chi. Sometimes when I do the movements I like not to think about anything, just feel the internal flow, I believe this is also positive, as we are working the nerve fibers.
I would like to thank you immensely for your valuable teachings, I have no words to thank you! As I am a professional musician here in Brazil, I had problems with a lot of pain in my left arm and at the time I ended up using a course for arms and hands by Lee Holden, which really ended up helping me a lot. Is there any more internal way of healing for tendons, etc. in addition to this more external way? If I could, I would buy all the courses on your website, and I really want to.
The problem for us Brazilians has been the low value of our money. One pound corresponds to more or less 6 reais of our money, which makes things quite complicated. It’s a pitty that you took some courses outside of Udemy, because there I could always get some kind of discount. If possible, I would like to see what would be the best choice for my next course, ok?
Thanks for your support!

Reply from Des

I am happy to hear that you are gaining from my courses and experiencing more Internally.

Regarding Active Qigong (your example of Yijinjing). This is really a personal choice but I practice both the meditative and martial sides of Taiji. Passive Qigong (using the Yi to guide the Qi without physical movement) needs to be balanced with physical exercise. This does not need to be martial arts and could be walking, cycling, swimming, football, etc. I love hill walking and will, weather permitting, take the opportunity to do some Qigong on the mountain.

“Sometimes when I do the movements I like not to think about anything, just feel the internal flow.” – You can switch off the guidance and listen to the Internal flow to check if you are stimulating the proper meridians, the meridians that the particular Qigong is meant to be working with. The real skill is being able to do that while guiding at the same time, having that tangible awareness while consciously guiding.

There are exercises that can target specific tendons and ligaments. These were passed down through Master Bell and I was taught them as part of my martial arts training. They were mainly for the shoulders, elbows and wrists.

The reason that I stopped selling my courses on Udemy was the fact that I would commonly be paid less than $3.00 for a course. It is as simple as that. Udemy and others were scraping up to 96% of the cost of a course. When you do a course at San Bao you are always offered a discount on your next course. If you let me know what courses you have already completed I can advise you regarding further learning.

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Wuji stance and practice length

Hello, how are you? After practicing Qigong for about 10 years, through your classes I realized that a lot of it was incorrect. My posture was arching backwards, which made my neck go forward, misaligning my entire body. I’m amazed how most instructors don’t say anything about it. I’m practicing the wuji posture a lot to try to adjust this, so much so that I’m still not practicing the exercises from your class, I’m just doing a lot of wuji. I´m enrolled in your Qigong for beginners here and also on one of your classes from Udemy. Do you think that`s better to practice only wuji for some time or could it be great to add Zhan Zhuang postures also? I have been experiencing body aches due to the correction of posture at this time, which should be perfectly normal. Another question, a Qigong teacher comments that one should practice any form for at least 90 days in a row to get the desired result, without skipping a single day, does this proceed? I´m taking Qigong very seriously, because it has changed my life for better for sure. Sorry for all this questions, but now I can see that I finally found a real Qigong instructor. Thanks a lot. All the best!

Reply from Des

Wuji is the foundation for efficient, standing, Qigong. Once Wuji has been mastered its qualities are included into all of the other stances.

  • Mix up your practice but keep working with Wuji. The great thing is that you don’t really need to set aside a lot of time for this. Any time you are waiting for the kettle to boil, or the toast to brown, waiting in a queue is, or any occasion when you are standing is Wuji time.
  • Body aches are a normal part of the process. As muscles continue to relax they uncover deeper knots (small spasms) that have gone unnoticed. You may also have some discomfort as and blocked Qi begins the process of dissipating.

Regarding practicing for 90 consecutive days. It is common to hear statements like this as well as statements on how many repetitions of an exercise is necessary. They should not be taken as written in stone for a number of reasons.

  • The 90 days is an indication that any Qigong is not understood, even at a basic level, without lots of practice. For some it may well be 90 days before this understanding/familiarity allows them to experience the Qi moving but we are all different and we are also reliant on our teacher’s understanding as well as their ability to transmit this.
  • If you are feeling unwell, or too tired, and miss a day is the 90 day clock reset? If you are putting pressure on yourself to practice then the quality of that Qigong practice will be low.
  • Practice when you have the urge, when it feels like “Hey, it’s time for some Qigong” and that joy will carry you forward on a wave of quality Qigong.
  • 5 minutes of quality Qigong carries you forwards. An hour of reluctant, unfocused, arm waving will hold you back. In fact it will become the norm and you will never progress.

I hope that this is of some help.

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Four Qigong Questions and Answers in a row

Q1. This one is bothering me the most.
After 20-30 minutes of practicing Qigong I feel very uncomfortable pressure in a middle of back between shoulder blades. It comes almost like pain, as an urge to lay down on a back on something hard/flat and is decreasing in a sitting position.
There is no pain or discomfort between practicing.

Q2. You said, that it is a good idea to separate Qigong and sleep. One of the first benefits I experienced practicing was, that it sorted out all sleeping issues I had before. You answered somebody else, that he / she needs to close down chakras etc. before going to sleep, but I’m not working on opening chakras at all yet ( at least I think so!).
What would you recommend to do before going to sleep then? Please don’t say, just calm down and read a book!

Q3. Today, during Wednesday evening class, we were doing Connecting Heaven and Earth Exercise which to me looks exactly like the one as a part of 5 elements one – from outside point if view of course. Are the movements the same but with different focus?

Q4. When I am practicing, especially meridians Qigong, quite often I have very tangible sensations around hands, low arms and little bit higher than elbows on outer side of the arms and in a middle of palms, which are much stronger than what I’m trying to focus on. Is it correct just to notice that and refocus attention to where its meant to be?

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Reply from Des

  1. What you are feeling here is stuck, or stagnant Qi. This is a very common place (Du Mai at Big Bone, and the Upper Back Kua) for Qi to get stuck. Probably caused by poor posture as we get tired. During Qigong your awareness increases and amplified and this highlights stagnant Qi, stuck Qi, or deficient Qi wherever it is located.
  2. When I mentioned the need to break the link between feeling like having a snooze after Qigong I was talking about during the day. There are plenty of Qigong that you can use to get you into that relaxed state prior to going to bed at night, Ones that calm the Shen (consciousness) and others that calm the Yi (the brain). You can also stimulate Heart Governor 8 to calm the Shen if your mind is over-active. Remind me next week during the class and we can have a look at this.
  3.  This is a question that is better answered by video as it is a tad long winded. Getting right to the point……….. Physically they are extremely similar but Internally there are poles apart. The physical movement is not Qigong. The Internal movement is. We use the physical movement to assist us in focusing on meridians, points and areas. The Five Element version focuses on moving the Qi through all twelve meridians. The Extraordinary Meridian version ignores the twelve meridians and focuses solely on the Master Points and the Coupled Points while listening to the Vessels.
  4. The hands are usually the first place that you experience the Qi. For many it is the first place, the last place, the only place because they get stuck there. Keep working with the focus (that is the realm of the Yi) but always have awareness, overall awareness, of what else is happening. Do not reach out to try to be aware of a particular meridian, point, or area………. If you reach out you are no longer listening, you are guiding and the Yi gets in the way. Acknowledge that the hands, etc. are active but let your awareness spread.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Wuji Stance

Hi Des,
I have a question about wuji stance (and the other stances by association). I’ve been exploring your note about locking your knees and then just releasing them slightly, to find a natural wuji position. I’ve also been exploring the sensation of ‘melting’ that you speak about, in relation to sinking and rising (once rooted). I’ve found that when I ‘melt’, my knees bend quite a bit more. I’m not doing this consciously – I just feel myself growing really quite heavy and slow, to the point where I think ‘I could actually fall asleep in this position’. Whilst this feels really quite nice, I wanted to check in with you about it. I’ve used Tai Chi and Qigong over the years – but you’re right in that it all feels a bit fake-ish now, hearing your own teaching. Is this feeling of heaviness OK as heaviness is often associated with sadness? Or is heaviness kind of counter-intuitive to chi, and something I should be working to move past? Of course we’re all different so I guess there’s no definitive answer, but I thought I’d check in on this all the same.
Many thanks for your thoughts.

Reply from Des

Yes, the knees may well bend quite a bit if you really let go and relax, but don’t expect the same amount of bend each time.

  • That slowness and heaviness is to be expected as the body and mind quieten. This sensation of stillness and connection (heaviness) can lead you into that very comfortable space where you feel you could nod off to sleep. There is a reason for that. In Wuji you achieve the same brain wave pattern that you go through just prior to falling asleep. With Qigong you need to re-programme yourself and break that link between Alpha wave and somnolence. This will bring you to a state of deep relaxation with heightened awareness.
  • Heaviness and sadness. Again, we are looking at programmed links but I want to draw your attention to something that I think you are missing. As you “melt” and sink the Qi that sensation of heaviness and solidity gets stronger as you move down. The feet can be as heavy as lead with a pressure on the soles that feels far too strong for your physical weight. As you move up through the body (We tend to interpret these sensations as physical so I will use physical landmarks) this heaviness and density decreases. Keep lifting your awareness and you will find a lightness and “freedom” in the Qi that is guaranteed to make you smile from your very core. Taking your awareness up is also “lifting the Shen” and you start to understand why the Shen is described as being the finest and lightest form of Qi.
  • Your Qi will manifest in many ways and to use the old adage “One man’s food is another man’s poison” there are times when “heavy” Qi is what is required, as with the other manifestations. Remember that the Qi and the emotions are not the same…………….. Break any preconceived links.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Thank you

Hi Des,
Thanks for covering my question in the class. It makes more sense now – though I am sure there are still subtleties that I am missing.
Regards
Tara

Reply from Des Hello Tara,
Qigong is often referred to as Internal Alchemy. There is good reason for this analogy as we are constantly refining our skill, our awareness and our Qi.

My son, Christopher, did a painting for me many years ago and it hangs in my therapy room as a reminder of the journey that I chose. It is a scene of a desert on another world. There are two moons. A lone figure is walking across one of the huge sand dunes…………… That figure is me (It could represent anyone who is a Qigong explorer). Each grain of sand represents a “secret” that Qigong can uncover. Only a secret until we investigate that grain of sand. Those moons are not moons……………… they are grains of sand. So much to explore, so much to discover and so much adventure in doing so. Welcome to my Qigong world.

Des

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Why is your Qigong different?

San Bao Qigong blog. Qigong questions and answers.
#trueqigong #qigong #shenqigong

Q. Hello Des,
Why does the Qi Gong that you are teaching differ from that qigong that that I have already been taught?
Why am I experiencing more when I practice your way?

Thanks
Al

Reply from Des Hello Al,
Is that Qigong and general, or are you asking about particular sets of Qigong?

Reply from Al Hello Des,

I was talking about particular sets of Qigong. The eight strands of Brocade and the Shibashi.

I always felt relaxed and content after Qigong. Now I am experiencing movement (Internal movement) that I cannot explain. Additionally. I am experiencing smells, colors, tastes, memories (I think that they are memories) and emotions.

Reply from Des Hello Al,
Firstly, I cannot comment on the way that these have been taught by any individual teachers. However, I can give an overall answer. Simply put. Most teachers aren’t teaching Qigong.

I often used the analogy of music when working with Qigong or explaining Qigong and it fits well here.

If you imagine learning to play the piano. You start off with one key, an individual note. Then you learn how to play chords. Then simple tunes. And then more complex music. The progression is the same within Qigong. You start with this simple and move towards the complex. Firstly, though, you need to access the keys.
Staying with that analogy. You’re sitting at a piano and the keyboard lid is down and locked. Those keys you need access to are hidden below the lid. Unless your teacher knows that they are there they cannot teach piano as they have never accessed the keys themselves. They need to have access to those keys and understand how the piano works. They cannot teach you how to play the piano. It is the same in Qigong. All Qigong works on the same basis. Moving Qi. Awareness of that movement. Enhancing that movement by using the feedback received. It doesn’t matter what set. At all works the same way.

So I and all of the other true Qigong teachers unlock and lift that lid for you.

The two sets that you mentioned are both very popular and they are taught, I use that term loosely, by thousands of teachers. In most cases they had been taught physically, with no access to the Qi, no real access. I’m going to pick one exercise from the Ba Duan Jin and ask some very, very, basic questions. So that you can figure out for yourself whether or not you understand what is happening. Or what is supposed to be happening?

  • In the Wise Owl Looks Backwards:
  • What stance are you using? Do you understand that stance and how important it is?
  • When you “open the wings” how far are you opening them? Why are you opening them this far?
  • When you turn your head to look down behind you what are you looking at? Is there a reason for this?
  • What Qi are you working with? What Elements? What meridians? What Acupuncture points?

If you have been practicing the Ba Duan Jin for any length and none of this has been explain/taught then you have to ask why this is so. You might want to ask your teacher and give them the opportunity to give you the answers. You might want to find another teacher, one who can answer them.

The same can be said of any other Qigong, or Qigong sets. Have the Internal aspects been explained? Have you been taught the why and how?

Your second question was “Why am I experiencing more when I practice your way?” You are not practicing my way, you are practicing true Qigong. It is as simple as that.

When you’re practicing Qigong, you’re working with different Elements, different meridians. Each of these meridians has emotions, colours, tastes, etc. associated with it. These associations were not chosen at random. These are triggered by the action that Qigong has on the Qi in the meridians. It was by using Listening Jing (being passively aware of the Qi) that these correspondences were discovered. The brain interprets Qi in different ways. For some of us it is colour. For some it can be taste or smell. Others experience the tangible flow of the Qi. For most it is a mixture of all of these but with one being the most dominant.

If you are practicing a Metal Qigong you will get a different response to that from an Earth Qigong, or a Fire Qigong, etc. So these emotions, memories, smells, tastes and Internal feelings that you’re getting will be from either the Element you are working with, or the effect that it is having on another element. That can be either through the Nurturing Cycle where, for example, Fire nurtures Earth. Or through the Controlling Cycle, where another example is of Fire controlling Metal.

Des

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Mind chatter and respiration

Q. I notice that I tend to hold my breath when I try listening to the Qi, that causes a tensing up especially in the upper areas so I am trying to balance it out with the different sensations I get presented and the movement slows down a lot meanwhile. Sometimes my mind starts to comment on that and I get confused what to do “first” or “more important”. It feels a bit like getting into a ping-pong-game of happenings throughout the body and mind, a roller coaster I do notice then through all these Meridian areas which do interact. So my movements feel somehow getting stuck together with my breathing. Additionally the trained ballet moves come in as well which keeps me “busy” to let go. I memorize the moves but get confused by all the sensations when the awareness gets involved… Do you have an idea how to tackle this? H-A.

A. Yes, the mind starts to chatter when you try to slow your respiration down too much. Your whole body is kicking up a fuss because it is being starved of oxygen! We use the breath to help guide the Qi AND THE MOVEMENT when practicing Qigong. We don’t us it when practicing Neigong. What is the difference? I’ll try to explain.

In Qigong we are using External movements to create Internal movements. As we relax, our respiration rate lowers, our brain-wave pattern moves towards Alpha, we relax more and the cycle continues. When in Alpha we can access the Qi, listen to it and have more control over it.

In Neigong we have already achieved Alpha and our respiration is already lowered BUT IT IS NO LONGER USED AS A TOOL TO GUIDE THE QI. The movements you are working with are Internal and the tiniest of external movement can create huge changes Internally. You are using the Yi to guide the Qi. It is quieter so your ability to listen is increased. You can pause, physically, at any time and give yourself more time to have that tangible awareness of the Internal movement of the Qi.

So, if your respiration rate was 12 per minute, a (one respiration) movement done in a Qigong manner will take 5 seconds to complete. Done in a Neigong manner it can take up to 15 minutes or more, depending on the extent of the movement/changes you are listening to, but the relaxed breathing remains the same.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – The need to have proper stance

Q. Hello Des, I have a basic question about my knees and sinking Qi. I can feel fizzing and heat in K1 both in wuji and when I am listening in sitting meditation but I can’t feel anything beneath my feet. I have become aware of a lot of tension being held in my knees- generally. I also notice I lift my toes a little off the floor a lot!

I find I lose balance sometimes in scooping from the sea in particular. Anything I can do about this?! D.

A. Sink the Qi and root the Po (the physical body) in that order and keep the Kua (hip kua) open. If you do this properly then there will be no instability.

Lifting your toes is usually a sign that you have your weight too far back and not through the Bubbling Spring. Even a few millimetres makes a huge difference.

You didn’t mention exactly where the knee tension is but having the weight to the rear of the Bubbling Spring will cause tension in the muscles along the shin bone (Peroneus brevis & longus, etc.) and this will lift the toes as well as causing discomfort where these muscles attach to the bones immediately below the knees.

I recommend that you spend more time refining your Wuji stance and your ability to keep the Kua open. If you bring this question up at the next class we can go over it.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Tongue position while practicing Qigong

Q. I was asked about a Facebook post that explained the placement of the tip of the tongue, during Qigong, as solely being used to connect Du Mai (the Governing Vessel) to Ren Mai (the Conception Vessel). Was this its only purpose? Another of those short, seemingly simple, questions that requires an in depth answer. Here goes, we will start with the Qi aspect.

Du Mai and Ren Mai are Qi pathways and are not governed by the physical body. They are there and they are connected whether the tongue touches the palate, or not. The position of the tongue does not connect them but it does increase your awareness of that connection.

In most of the Qigong that I teach we use the “natural” flow of Qi in these Exceptional Vessels. The Flow is up Du Mai and down Ren Mai. By practicing with the tongue in this position we are actively acknowledging this flow. But it is not the only flow so we use other tongue positions too.

The three positions are: –
Fire – the Natural cycle – tongue touching the palate behind the front teeth.
Wind – the Reverse cycle – tongue touching the palate and the rear of the front teeth.
Water – the Inner cycle working with Chong Mai) – tongue touching slightly further back from the Fire position. You will often see this described as the tongue touching the border between the hard and the soft palate but this can be uncomfortable for may and it causes distraction rather than assisting you with your Qigong.

As already stated, these Vessels are not physical and they are not bounded by your physical body. The positions we use act as switches so that, with lots of practice, you can switch from one cycle to another by simply moving the tongue. The physical contact is just that……….. So, merely moving the tongue position does nothing to influence the Qi flow. You must use the Yi to change the cycle and this takes a lot of focus, time and diligent practice.

For most Qigong we are using the Fire position as we are utilising the Natural cycle. To begin with it takes much more focus (and the ability to listen) to get this flow but, by using the tongue position as a  “switch” for this cycle we need less focus on it and we can use that focus elsewhere.

Likewise, when we train our Qi for the reverse cycle, we need to put in the time and the effort first to get that cycle going while, simultaneously, programming the new “switch”. It’s the same for the Inner cycle. It is like using a mudra. Simply forming a hand posture does absolutely nothing. You reach the state of mind and THEN connect the mudra to it.

Now I will cover the physical benefits. With the tongue resting (relaxed) in this position the chances of over, or under, salivating are reduced and this reduces distractions. The less distractions, physical or otherwise, the easier it is to guide the Qi and we can listen more so that the subtler, quieter, manifestations of Qi become tangible.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Where to look and focus with the vision

Q. Can I ask a question about where you look in the practice. Apart from the wood daoist yin form where you are looking straight ahead with eyes open, how should the eyes be? I think your eyes are shut often, which makes sense, turning inwards to observe the Ki.

Interested to know thoughts. J.

A. The eyes are used that beginners can use as a tool to help guide the Qi exercises. In others a “soft” gaze is used to help Internalize the experiences as it helps to lower the brain pattern to Alpha wave. However, once the practitioner has the ability to listen to the Qi there is far more feedback and the eyes are no longer needed as a tool (Indeed, they can be a hindrance).
At this level, shutting the eyes reduces distractions further and allows access to subtler variations in the Qi. That Internalization means an expansion of awareness that travels outward as well as inward.
I hope this helps.

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The true nature of Qigong – Listening to the flows you have enhanced

After we finished I felt my feet really “stamped into the ground”, that was quite a remarkable change as I did not feel a lot of “grounding” before. The difference in the effects of the exercises were quite noticeable, fascinating.

Q1: The question I have is again regarding to the speed: When I listen closely and close my eyes I almost stop moving outside so I wonder whether you recommend practicing with open eyes in that case…? It is not that I am falling asleep but because theres is so much going on “inside” which I get aware of. 

Q 2: You mentioned the Inner Work with very slow movements in one of your Emails which I  was not familiar with until you mentioned it. I might have a notion what you mean but I cannot transfer it somehow. I struggle to set up a Qigong practice here at my place which gives a proper framework to my everyday-life. It feels a bit like “getting lost in time and space” when I practice these slow movements and time passes so quickly outside then. Of course it has a wonderful quality but also my mind interferes with this giving me the hint this as I have to consider “worldly time” to get things done of course so it makes me anxious to continue in that “no-speed”. The asking of the Shen to “slow down” has not enough power when I ask it seems and I have a bit of a “mind battle” then which I am annoyed about. I know it does not help as it is a waste of energy so I try to find a balanced solution. H-A.


A. The eyes are only one of the tools used in Qigong and they help you to focus and guide the Qi through the observation of the movement and looking at the areas/meridians where you are guiding the Qi flow. Once you are able to listen to the Qi and have that immediate, tangible, feedback the eyes can be closed. There are a few examples of Wood exercises where the eyes are always kept open.
The breath is also just one of the tools used and when practicing in a Neigong manner you no longer use it to assist in the guidance of the Qi. Instead, you are listening to the Internal movements and the external movements can slow down (even stop) as you do this.

A2: Yes, you can get “lost” in these exercises and find that the planned 15 minutes has turned into an hour. If you try to practice and are also clock-watching, or clock-aware, you are not truly doing Qigong. If you are time limited, set and alarm (low volume) for the amount of time available less 5 minutes. Then you can get some quality Qigong done and still be back to “worldly time” to tackle the day to day needful.
Initially, there is always going to be a battle between the Yi and the Shen. The Yi has been dominant all through your life and now you are asking it to cede control whenever asked. The “mind battle” you are having is between your Yi and your Willpower and is, effectively, the Yi debating with itself about letting go.

Your “battle” reminds me of a friend who had a recurring dream. He knew that it was important but was well and truly stuck. In the dream he was in a field and needed to get into the next one. There was a high, stone, wall that he could not climb and a gate. No matter how much he pushed, the gate refused to open………………….. I advised that he step back and pull gently as the gate opened towards him. He then managed to progress.

If you try too hard, push too hard, the Yi will become even more stubborn. Be gentle and persuade it, it needs to feel safe.

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – The three Dantiens and the Three Burning Spaces

Q. Would you say the 3 Dan Tien’s are most like the San Jiao
In Acupuncture the extra Fire element meridian pair is Pericardium and San Jiao or Triple burner or heater. It seems like the descriptions of the 3 Dan Tiens are similar to this organ system in TCM. Any knowledge or comments you can add? Thanks. N.W.

A. No, they are completely different.
The San Jiao (the Three Burning Spaces) relate to three functions/areas of the body. These are respiration/thorax, digestion/stomach, and urogenital/torso below the abdomen.
The three Dantiens are: The Upper, the Third Eye. The Middle, the Heart Chakra (The Crimson Palace). The Lower, “The Golden Cauldron” is located behind Ren Mai 6 and above Ren Mai 1.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – The need for a quiet body and a quiet mind

Q. In the practice yesterday I noticed my legs “wobbly getting moving about strongly” and my knees bended after a while due to that sensation I was drawn to focus more and more. I automatically slowed down the movement and was therefore out of the breathing pattern most of the time. Not sure whether that is meant to be. Just witnessing and stop as you mentioned until the sensation changes again in the position the body has then? Or would you rather recommend correcting into the regular wuji stand while doing the movement then to interfere? H-A.

A. The wobbling and movement in the legs can be a sign that you are getting closer to Wuji. It is usually caused by the muscles “letting go” and you will find that this process is seldom even in both legs. As long as the legs are bending through this process of relaxation (and you are keeping the head raised from the crown) your posture will be upright. If you feel that you are leaning forward (sticking your rear end out), lift the posture and start the process again.
Remember that the use of the breath in guiding the Qi is only one of the tools used in Qigong. It is not the most important one either. In class situations, where everyone’s respiration pattern is different, you can either compromise and go with the group speed by dropping using the breath, or go at the speed of your own respiration. Also, it is often advantageous to occasionally let the speed of physical movement slow down (ignoring whether you are inhaling or exhaling on any particular movement) so that you have more time to listen to the Qi. This can highlight any blockages, weaknesses, or areas where you have less awareness of very quickly.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Qi flow while we are sleeping

Q: Do the meridians rest when we do?
Here’s a question for you. We are working on clearing blockages and getting energy circulation going. It’s a sort of Shroedinger’s Cat/how long is a piece of string sort of question, but what’s happening when we’re not paying attention to our energy/meridian system? Does it all just quieten down to a sort of maintenance level? Is there always some movement, or does it sometimes become entirely still? What happens when we sleep? L.

A: This is where Qigong is so important. Weak flow, sluggishness and blockages can occur and these are the energetic root causes of illness and ailments. Without the intervention of Qigong, Shiatsu, Acupuncture, etc. these often become chronic. Through Qigong we actively practice this intervention and, with the experience that comes through practice, we are aware of these (weak flow, sluggishness and blockages) before they have time to grow. Those tiny niggles that we notice once our Qi is flowing smoothly.

On a personal note…………… my own experience is that you can be practicing Qigong while you are sleeping. If, during dreams, your Yi is guiding the Qi it is having the same effect on your Qi as it does when awake. It was not uncommon for me to wake in the morning and know that I had been tutored while “asleep”. This is less common now but it still occurs………… I am still being taught.

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Qigong Questions and answers – What are the Shu Points

Hello Des,
I was wondering what the shu points are and how they relate to the meridians?
Many thanks.
Pat

Hello Pat,

The Shu Points (Shu means transporting) lie either side of the spine. All of the Shu points are on the Bladder meridian and they are used to activate Qi and the blood, in the associated organ systems.

One example of these is the Kidney Shu Point that are located either side of Mingmen. Mingmen translates as the Gate of Vitality but, collectively, Mingmen and the Kidney Shu Points are known as the Gates of Vitality.

The Kidney Shu point is Bladder 23. It is located 1. 5 cun lateral of 2nd Lumbar vertebra.

Effect

  • Stimulates all kidney functions.
  • Used in all Kidney meridian imbalances.
  • Deals with weakness of the lower extremities and groin.
  • Lumbago.
  • Menstrual disorders.
  • Feeling cold all the time.
  • Any lower back pain.

Sense organ: The ears.

I hope this helps,
Des

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Alignment of the hips and shoulders

Hi Des,
Please could you tell me why, in so many qi gong movements, shoulders must be kept in line with the hips with no twisting of the spine?

Best wishes,
Andi

Hello Andi,

This is true of many Qigong as most were developed within the Internal martial arts. But this does not mean that they were all martial arts orientated. Many  evolved to encompass health and wellbeing.

Taking the Shibashi, the Eighteen Posture Taiji Qigong, as an example of this. These Qigong were developed from the movements and postures that occur within the Taiji Form and its peripheral exercises. They therefore follow the rules of Taiji where the body flows as one, where it is the sinking of the Qi and rooting of the weight that propels the body forward, backward, and to the sides. This is done through the use of the Hip Kua and keeping the shoulders in line with the hips encourages the Hip Kua to open. When the Kua are closed the flow of the Qi is impeded.

That said, even within the Shibashi there is one Qigong where the shoulders and hips move out of alignment. In Twisting the Waist and Pushing the Palms we are deliberately twisting to have a loosening effect on the Spinal Kua. This is a secondary benefit here as the main focus is on Stomach and Spleen.

There are other Qigong exercises that we practice that twist the spine and help open the Kua. Among them are Knocking at the Gates of Vitality, Opening the Hip Kua, and Folding the Hip Kua. In these exercises we are not guiding the Qi in the same way as with other Qigong (in Knocking at the Gates of Vitality we are brining focus to Mingmen and the Kidney Shu Points) but we are paving the way for unimpeded flow. Another example of a Qigong where the shoulders are out of alignment with the hips is Folding Over, from the Embroidered Brocade. With this Qigong the primary focus is on working with all six Yang meridians of the legs but it is also working with the Spinal Kua, Hip Kua and Sacral Kua.

Des

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Anchoring the breath

One of the questions that cropped up during a recent class was “What are your thoughts on anchoring the breath?” “Ah, well, this is a subject that might take a while to answer.” Was my reply.

So, let me at least start to answer that question………….. knowing full well that this one question actually contained many.

  • Firstly, what is meant by anchoring the breath? The word “Qi” can be/is translated as energy, or air. 气 – the Simple character for Qi, in use from the mid-20th century, means among many other things, “gas” and “air.” (Wiki)
  • This has led to confusion regarding anchoring the Qi with the focus being on the breath and not on the vital energy, or intrinsic energy that makes up and supports everything in the Tao. It is not the breath that you are “anchoring” it is the Qi.
  • The breath, the respiration, is a very important factor in the process of anchoring the Qi (From this point onward I will be using this, the correct term). As is posture, state of mind, removal of distractions, etc.
  • The method of breathing, abdominal breathing, has the practitioner guide the breath to and focus on the Lower Dantien. This can be a physical action or an energetic action, or both (I will qualify this later).
  • The guidance of the breath remains at the Dantien but the anchoring of the Qi can be on any part of the body, both the physical body and the energetic body.
  • Those of you who have trained with me will be very familiar with the term listening. You will be very familiar with using the Yi to guide and focus while using the Shen to be passively aware of the Qi, of how it is moving, of how it is reacting to the Qigong being practiced.
  • Anchoring the Qi is when to choose to listen.
    • You can choose one spot and listen to the Qi passing through that spot, noting the qualities of it changing as it does so.
    • You can latch on to a quality (this is where it gets difficult to find the correct language) that manifests in a flow (this can be a meridian but does not need to be) and follow it as it moves around the energy body.
  • This is what we are doing when working with the Orbits. That awareness of the conveyor belt, or the awareness of what is being conveyed.
  • Back to the respiration.
    • The breathing to the Dantien starts off as a physical action that will be very noticeable but should, with practice and time, become imperceptible. This is where quality tuition plays a part as many practitioners never achieve this level of imperceptible respiration.
    • I mentioned that the breathing to the Dantien can be a physical action or an energetic action, or both. If it is physical you will fail to have awareness of the Qi as that physicality creates noise (distraction). As the breathing becomes less “noisy” you will start to have awareness of the Qi. When the breath is imperceptible (and that goes for all the other distractions) the awareness of the Qi increases.
  • You do not use the breath to anchor the Qi. Just breathe and listen.
  • Accept what is there, nothing more. If you try to analyse you have stopped listening. If you try to analyse you are interfering and creating noise. The Qi can be very quiet so you need to  be even quieter. Analyse afterwards if you feel the need.

Des

A, more in depth, video reply is available on the San Bao School Youtube channel.

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Can you practice Qigong in a seated posture

In the Qigong toolbox you say that the focus should be on posture because the flow of Qi will be inhibited if the posture is incorrect.  Can you practice qigong in a seated position if you have limited mobility?
Many thanks. Pat

Hello Pat,

This is going to be a bit long-winded but it requires an accurate answer. I will deal with it one aspect at a time.

  • Qigong can be practiced standing, seated, kneeling, or lying down. This is because Qigong is the skill of accessing and guiding the Qi.
  • When standing, sitting, or kneeling, the posture needs to be good in order to reduce the “noise” created by the body when posture is poor.
  • This “noise” is made up of all the distractions caused by the body trying to achieve equilibrium. It is also caused by any discomfort experienced through poor posture.
  • When the body is “noisy” it is almost impossible to listen to the Qi.
  • When seated, kneeling, or lying down you may not be able to perform all of the physical movements that are present in a standing posture. But, and this is important to understand, those movements are tools of Qigong. They are not, in themselves, Qigong. The movements, stretches and tensions are used to assist the Yi in focusing the Qi.
  • A person with limited physical movement who has good mental focus will always experience superior Qigong to someone who has great physical movement but dull focus.
  • Qigong is Internal and the Yi is the guide, the driver.

So, in summary, you can practice Qigong seated and I always advise my students to do this on occasion. The reason for this is that they very often have more awareness of the Qi when seated and that fact shows them that their posture is still creating “noise” and masking their access to the more subtle Qi flows.

Kind regards,
Des

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Order of practice in Five Elements Qigong

Hi Des thanks for todays class.
In the last 5 elements that we did is there a significance to the order of the elements?
It starts off with control cycle – water puts out fire, fire melts metal, but then it jumps to earth then wood last. Jane

Qigong Questions and Answers
#trueqigong #qigong #DesLawton

Hi Jane,

There are very many Five Elements Qigong, some as individual exercises, some as sets of five (sometimes 6) exercises. There is also a variety of approaches.

Using the Nurturing Cycle of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood. Here, if doing a set of exercises, you would decide on which Element you wanted to focus on most and start the sequence so that you finished on it. For example, if you wanted to focus on Water you would begin the sequence with Wood. If you wanted to focus on Earth you would start at Metal. A stand alone example is the Five Elements Dance (Secondary Fire, Primary Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood)

Using the Control cycle of Fire, Metal, Wood, Earth, Water. Again, in the case of a set, you can join the cycle at any Element so that you finish on the one that needs most work. So, if Water  needed the work you would start with it and follow the cycle of Water, Fire, Metal, Wood, Earth. In this way, the last Element being controlled is Water. A stand alone example is Connecting Heaven and Earth (Metal. Wood, Earth, Water and Fire)

Random, like Change the Sinews, where the pattern is Water, Fire, Metal, Earth and Wood. Here there is also a mix of using the Yin for two meridians, the Yang for one, and both for the other two. That mix causes a bit if confusion but if you work the Yin of one pairing you are also working the Yang. Likewise, if you work the Yang of one pairing you are also working with its Yin partner.

Working with three meridians at a time. The Sun and the Moon works with the three Leg Yin, the three Arm Yin, the three Arm Yang and, finally, the three Leg Yang.

Regards,
Des

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Qigong Questions and Answers – Taiji vs Qigong

What’s the different doing Tai Chi or Qigong? David

The Taiji forms can, in one respect, be likened to Qigong as they use posture, movement, breath and focus to align and direct Qi. They are like long, complex, Qigong.
However, there are a number of differences too:- Taiji is a martial art, Qigong isn’t. Taiji forms can take years to learn but many Qigong exercises may only take a few hours to learn the movements. The benefits from practicing Qigong are quicker to attain.
This isn’t a comprehensive list but these are the main differences.

Regards,
Des


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Qigong Questions and Answers – Horse stance

I’ve got a question regarding the horse stance. I was told that the knees need to be over the feet to prevent knee injury as they are not weight bearing but weight transferring joints. It doesn’t look like that from your demonstration. Could you please explain a bit more? Thanks a lot.

Kind regards,
Ruth

qigong questions and answers
Qigong Questions & Answers
Horse riding stance.

Hello Ruth,
When doing/learning most Kung Fu it is correct that if you are in a low horse stance the knees should be above the feet. But the emphasis there is on building physical strength in the legs as well as stretching the Adductor muscles. In most cases, people tend to push too far and there is a fair bit of discomfort……….. The term “No pain, no gain” seems to be the anthem.

In Qigong, in the Taoist Qigong that I was taught, the emphasis is on quiet stability that allows you to be aware of the Qi flow rather than on the pain of a stretch. Even so, if you stand with your feet double shoulder width apart and let your body sink through relaxation and have an outward intention for the knees (thinking outwards continually realigns the knees) you will find that when you finally achive a low horse stance (if this is your goal) your knees will be over your feet.

As a teacher I am fully aware that students will try to follow my breathing pattern, my stances, etc. so I am careful to start at the most comfortable for them and then watch them progress.

Regards,
Des

Hi Des,
Thank you so much for your quick answer. It all makes sense now. I like the outward intention when practicing horse stance so that the knees don’t knock together.
I guess it will be like the 70/30 rule (or rule of thirds). Don’t push it! A deep horse stance will develop with time and practice.

Kind regards,
Ruth


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Qigong Questions and Answers – Listening, or Listening Jing

How do you “Listen” to the Qi?
Not getting stuck just not sure how you listen to Qi. I can feel the Qi but I certainly can’t hear it or I am not sure how to listen to it? Jeni

Hi Jeni,
Listening Jing (Listening to Qi) involves passive awareness. By that, I mean that you are, tangibly, aware of the Qi and paying attention to what it is doing……………. what you are experiencing.

One method that I use to help students understand what this means is that I get them to imagine that they are standing in the middle of a forest, Standing silently and still…………… That is when the forest becomes alive with sounds, with smells, with observation of the flora and fauna. If you go tramping about, making lots of noise, you trample the flora and scare off the fauna.

During Qigong there are two processes being used with Qi.

  • One is to direct the Qi (using the movements, focus, etc.).
  • The other is being quiet, having no input, not tramping about and reaching out to “feel” it. Initially this is done after performing an exercise but with experience you can “listen” to the effect as you do any Qigong.

The Active (moving) Qigong exercise is the cause……………. Take time, in stillness, to be aware of but not disturbing the effect. The quieter your body/mind the more you will experience.

If you always feel Qi in the same way it is probably because your mind is moulding it in that fashion. In that case you are not “listening” you are reaching out, having input,and shaping the result.

I hope that this goes some way to explain what “listening” means.

Des


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Qigong Questions and Answers – Dominant hand

Is it helpful to use your dominant hand as the ‘receiving’ hand, or vice versa? Lesley

Hi Lesley,
Most people usually use their dominant hand for transmitting Qi. However this is not really necessary and you can use both hands for both tasks. It is, actually, only the Yi that gets in the way……….. the brain, and old thought patterns, making things difficult.

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a lady who was a healer who worked with Qi on a daily basis, and who had real control over its transmission. She never called it Qi, but Qi is only a word. Anyway, her lineage taught that women transmitted with the left hand and received with the right. Men were the opposite. My martial arts background had taught me to transmit and receive with both…………… so we just kept working that way.

It’s a case of whatever floats your boat 🙂 ………….. Dogmatically following rules closes the mind and restricts your growth.

Regards,
Des



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