Practices: Gentle Movement and Postures
© Roger Jahnke O.M.D
In 1989 Western science finally "discovered" something that has been common knowledge in the Asian cultures for thousands of years. Through a huge study (if a study is not huge it does not mean much to Western science) it was discovered and then reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in November 1989 that moderate, gentle exercise is more effective than conventional agreesive exercise. This suggests that the pumping iron, jogging, jazzercise approach is actually less effective in enhancing fitness levels than was thought. Simple walking is actually a superior fitness generator.
Slow, non-intense, daily practice of moderate exercise, as it has been done in China through Qigong and in India through Yoga for centuries, is now emerging, with scientific authorization as the fitness enhancement practice of choice. While it seems belated in a culture so scientifically evolved, this information is a real miracle in a time of serious crisis in our health care. Already fit who can jog, do aerobics and afford health club membership. Now, especially when we look to how the Asian traditions have refined this idea over time, the unwell, the bedridden, those limited to wheel chairs, elders and even the partially paralyzed can derive significant fitness building through moderate self-applied practices of Qigong and Yoga.
The movement arts of the Asian cultures are profoundly beautiful and extremely extensive. In China there are literally thousands of movements and postures with variations depending on whether they originate in northern or southern China, in specific families, specific monastic traditions or in one of many lineages of a simplified, preliminary approach that is easy to learn and use to support practitioners toward better health.
Beyond these preliminary movements and postures there are the 108 specific gestures in Yang style Chi and there are other short and long Tai Chi forms. There are the Qigong forms that mimic many animals: tiger, crane, bear, deer, eagle, snake and rhinoceros, as well as the mythological dragon and phoenix. There are forms for the seasons, the climates, the elemental forces of the cosmos, the colors, the internal organs, revered immortal masters and particular health disorders. Some forms are just practical and for fitness, others are esoteric and spiritual. All have fitness and health applications.
It must be remembered that in the Asian cultures the Qi, the vitality or energy, is of foremost important in health and fitness. The preliminary methods regarding movement and posture may seen strange or senseless; however, they are focused first on enhancing and moving the Qi. It is an illusion to think that the best way to mobilize the Qi is with vigorous movement. Some of the movements and posture which seem to have the least content or action are actually the most profound methods for generating Qi, circulating Qi and enhancing one's own awareness of Qi. Use these movements and postures as a seed to grow your own passion and devotion to your personal practice. Look to the martial arts, to ballet, to yoga, to personal self-expression for inspiration. Admire and copy the animals, as did the ancient physician Hua To. They have an inherent sense of nature's rhythm and law. Borrow from the great masters and the great traditions but also bring your own essence forth as well. Hold to the remembrance that it is the life force, the vitality, the bioenergetic field, the Qi that is your focus.
Basic Movements to Stretch the Body
and Release the Bioenergy
1. Preliminary Standing Posture
2. Shaking the Whole Body to Release and Circulate the Energy
From the preliminary position begin to wiggle the fingers and bounce, deepen the breath. Increase the bounce and allow the hands to begin to shake. Add shaking of the head and shoulders. Relax the jaw. You will find that this is one of the best exercises to bring immediate sensation of the energy or Qi. Exaggerate the movement, prolong it, shift weight from foot to foot, make sounds, find your own best way to use this exercise.
3. Twist from the Waist, Swing the Arms Ringing the Gong
From the preliminary position rotate the torso. The movement should seem to come from the waist, although it is actually initiated at the ground from the feet. The shoulders follow the waist and the arms follow the shoulders, they just dangle and swing. Turn the head completely -as far as it will comfortably go- to look behind. The breath is full and there is a dynamic relationship between action and relaxant. Bring as much relaxant to the movement as possible. Notice that the arms and hands hit the body. This hitting or thumping can become purposeful when aimed at the reflexes of the kidneys, spleen and liver. This will be discussed in the section on self-applied massage.
4. Swing the Arms Forward, Rise upon the Toes, Arms Back, Swing Back onto Heels
Tradition claims that this movement alone, with relaxation and deep breathing can help to cure serious diseases. Starting in the preliminary posture rock forward onto the toes and swing the arms forward. Palms may face backward or forward, you decide. Remember to make it up and make it fun. Now, rock back on the heels. Practice will show you how far back you can go. Breath deeply and relax. Repeat. This is not a fancy gesture but it has profound potential. Turn your awareness to the forces of body energy for a lesson in the value of this technique. Remember, patience in your quest for the sensation of elusive life energy, Qi.
5. Rotation of the Waist With Hands Warming the Lower Back - Agile Bamboo, Strong Root.
Warm the hands up by rubbing them together vigorously. Beginning from the preliminary position apply the heated, open palms to the lower back. Rotate the hips to the left by shortening the left torso and lengthening the right. Next, tilt the tail of the pelvis forward, the mid-spine curves backward. Next, sway toward the right hip by shortening the right torso and lengthening the left.
Finally, tilt the tail of the pelvis upward and backward, the mid-spine bows forward. This is basically a repetitive rotation of the spine bows forward. This is basically a repetitive rotation of the waist. The breath is full and relaxed throughout. The rotation is smooth. Repeat and then reverse the direction. This is a powerful healing tool to effect the organs and nerve plexus in the pelvis and abdomen and the muscles of the lower back an hips.
6. Rotate the Knees - White Crane Encircling Knees
7. Right and Left Curving of the Spine
Beginning from the preliminary position bend to the right. The right arm drops down along the side of the leg and the head bends toward the right shoulder. The upper left arm rises up on a line with shoulders and the hand and lower arm dangle form the elbow. Repeat. Inhale toward the upright, exhale toward the bend. Deep slow breaths. This is an easy but extremely important exercise for the muscles along the spine, the neurological reflexes along the spine and the connective tissue that holds the spine together.
8. Front and Back Curving of the Spine Embracing Forcefulness
Beginning from the preliminary position, raise the arms upward. The upper arms move in line with the shoulders. The forearms and hands reach upward form the elbow. The hands reach wide open. The breath is on the inhalation cycle. The spine bends like a bow with the belly and chest forward. The head reaches upwards, tilts backward and the gaze goes skyward. The tail bone is lifted backward and upward. Then, on the exhale, the arms come forward and the hands clench into fists that close tightly before the eyes. The elbows remain bent. The spine reverses into the opposite bow with the middle back curved backward. The head is bent forward, eyes gaze at the fists and the shoulders are rounded. The tail is pulled under ad forward. This is the exhalation and is forceful. Repeat. This is a traditional martial arts power building movement.
9. Reaching Upward, Stretching Outward
Begin with feet together. With the inhalation, bring the palms upward. As they pass before the eyes lace the fingers together and turn the palms upward toward the sky. Stretch upward, hold the breath. Rise up on the balls of the feet. Hold for a moment. Unlock the fingers as the exhalation begins. Extend the arms form the heel of the palm, pressing outward, as the arms are lowered. Repeat.
10. Forward Bending Towards the Toes
This is classic toe touching. Feet are slightly apart. Bend forward slowly. Dangle, relaxed. Stay in the comfort zone. The goal is to place your palms flat on the ground and straighten your knees. This may take a life time to perfect. Patience an perseverance in the practice are the path.