Qi Gong Level I

 In this chapter, you will study Qigong methods. You'll learn what it is, and why so many thousands of people from all over the world practicing on a daily basis. Most importantly, you will find a complete three-month Qigong program designed specifically for the students seeking an increase in psychic and healing abilities for searching for a powerful program to heal oneself.In fact, if you commit to this program, you will notice significant changes in your energy, health and intuitive abilities.

Qi is the basic energy force contained in all life forms and required to sustain life. It exists in the universe, the heavens and earth, the mountains and rivers, and animals, plants and humans. If Qi is strong and vibrant, our life force will be strong and vibrant. If Qi is weak or stagnant, our life force building we can stagnant and illness will eventually prevail. Qigong is an ancient Chinese discipline that uses posture, movement, breathing, meditation, visualization and conscious intent to cleanse and purify the cheek.The word she gone actually means: Qi = vitality, energy, life force, breath, and Gong= practice, work, cultivate, refine; therefore Qigong means to cultivate and refine through practice one's vitality or life force. The results of consistent Qigong practice leads to more energy, good health, and an increased spiritual awareness.

Qigong is one of the most powerful self-healing traditions ever developed in human history and one can find evidence of its existence as far back as 500 BC.Of all the energy healing practices, Qigong has the most developed theoretical basis subjected to the most extensive research.In China, the collected knowledge about the therapeutic benefits of Qigong was developed over thousands of years. Medical Qigong, which is a specific form of Qigong design to heal others is now practicing clinics in some hospitals that integrate traditional Chinese medicine and conventional Western medicine. In western hospitals Qigong is among several complementary practices used including therapeutic touch, mindful meditation, and Reiki to treat a variety of ailments. In the future, as Qigong’s benefits become increasingly well-known, it will be is common to practice Qigong for a headache as taking an aspirin is now.

For curious minds: The word Qi can be written many ways: Qi, qi, qi, or Chi. They only referred to the same life force energy and as you can see we have chosen to use ‘Qi’ to reference it in this course.

Numerous studies have shown that regular practice of Qi gong helps to cleanse the body of toxins, restore energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and help individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.Many people in eastern dissent are well aware of the effects of this healing art form. Consider this; on any given morning in the parks throughout China or Thailand you will find literally thousands of people doing Qigong practices.Some practice individually, quietly among the trees. Others practice in large groups of hundreds or even thousands. Often, one will see a patient in hospital pajamas doing a special form of cancer recovery Qigong, or a group might stand in a circle chatting as they do a simple form based on hand movements.For years, Chinese doctors have applied to Qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals suffering from a variety of ailments. If one is wondering why so many people practice Qigong, the answer simple, because it works!

For health maintenance, chipmunk practitioner does not have to be an expert. Almost anyone can learn to practice she going to maintain and improve his or her own health.There are however, a few precautions one should take into consideration:

Precautions

Do not practice Qigong if you experience any of the following:

• Any type of severe physical or emotional traumas

• After surgery if there is any internal bleeding such as from tooth extraction

• Dizziness

• Emotional Instability

• Pregnancy

• During mensuration as Qigong thins the blood and increases circulation.

• Acute infectious diseases.

• 1 1/2 hours before or after eating.

• 1 1/2 hours before or after consuming alcohol.

The list of conditions Qigong treats is a long one. Below are some of them:

Addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, anxiety, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, gout, and other digestive problems, headaches, heart disease and hypertension, chronic kidney disease, glandular dysfunction such as thyroid problems, liver disease, lower back pain, Meniere’s disease, myopia, obsessive/compulsive disorder, neurasthenia, panic attacks, paralysis induced by external injury, post traumatic stress disorder, retinopathy, rheumatism, sciatic neuralgia, sleeplessness, stress, altars, and peripheral vascular disease.

Qigong can successfully treat cancer and reduce or eliminate side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. It is helpful in treating aphasia (loss or impairment of ability to speak),Cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and post stroke syndrome.It is especially useful in treating any kind of chronic pain, and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Studies have shown that practicing Qigong can greatly reduce the danger of stroke.It can improve blood sugar levels for diabetics. Because it normalizes the level of sex hormones, it can correct sexual impotence and fragility. Practice of Qigong can speed recovery from surgery, and from sports related injuries by have to 50%. Qigong increases strength, improves resistance to infectious diseases and premature senility, and helps ensure a long life. Qigong is also well-known to increase a psychic and healing abilities and its practitioners.

If you have ever observed a person practicing Qigong, you may have wondered how it works since it seems as if they aren't doing much of anything. The power of Qigong is not in the efforts put out but the intent of the practitioner. A practitioners intent is to it here to the main world of Qigong which is to cleanse the qi of impurities and toxins, gather the qi, creating a reservoir if healing life force in the body, and to circulate the qi. The conscious intent of the individual leads or moves their qi. When we visualize that qi moving to or accumulating in an area, we are actually producing this results. We can also move the qi by breath and body movement.

The Importance of Posture

The first lesson you will learn when beginning Qigong is correct posture. When we stand in a specific posture we gathered Qi. Without effort, we gather Qi. If we have visualization to the posture, and gentle slow movements, we increase our healing capacity. The importance of posture is so powerful that it is called the million dollar secret. By consciously altering body positions, underlying problems can be changed for the good. Qi can be consciously made to flow through specific areas. A general balancing of the entire bodies qi flow can be accomplished through correct use of posture.

The use of posture and repetitive slow movement of the body affects the nervous system, circulatory system, and the free flow of qi throughout the body. Repetitive movement harmonizes the nervous system and is used in many cultures to reduce trance state associated with shamanic practices. In fact, Qigong masters have reported an increase in psychic healing abilities in their students. Some students start to see an aura for the first time. Others begin to see the universal energy fields. Still others have increased their psychic skills or opens up their intuitive abilities for the first time.The most important change the students of qigong experience is the occasional miraculous healings that take place after practicing qigong for a period of time. A students main intent with regards to posture is together with qi in the body which will lead to good health.

The Three Reservoirs

Before learning additional positions, it is helpful to understand where you want the qi to gather in the body. Each one of us has three main reservoirs of energy in the body. These three areas hold and store qi energy and are very important in healing. They are the pathway of qi and water in the whole body.

These areas are referred to by many names: “San Jiao” (San means three, Jiao means area) “Triple heater,” “triple burner” or “triple warmer.” For our purposes, we will refer to it as the triple warmer. The triple warmer is comprised of three compartments in the trunk of the body, unseen by the human eye.

• The upper compartment is the area between the top of the head and the diaphragm. This includes the brain, heart, lungs, and bronchial tubes. The main function of the upper triple warmer is to promote qi and blood circulation in the whole body.

• The middle compartment is from the diaphragm to the navel. You will find this by placing your hand just above the navel. This middle area includes the spleen, liver, stomach, and pancreas. Its function is for transportation and transformation of food and water. It also absorbs nutrients.

• The lower compartment is found in the area of the navel to the level of the genitals. The lower triple heater contains the kidneys, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, uterus and ovaries, testicles and prostate. The function of the lower triple warmer is to produce energy, remove waste products and water, and control the reproductive system.

Each compartment is a metabolic center and its main function is to metabolize fluids and qi.

The three centers should all work together harmoniously, all flowing at the same rate, the same size, and only does the same materials. They should all be in good condition, cleaning, and flowing smoothly.

The fluids a person takes in through drinking flow into the top center, then to the middle, and then the lowest one.From there, the fluids and toxins should be washed into the urinary bladder for excretion. The clean fluids should be recycled as a mist that rises up on the right side of the body, and flows down the left.

The kidneys power the lowest triple warmer center.The spleen powers the middle center.(The spleen ultimately powers all metabolic functions, as part of the spleens transformation in transportation functions.)The lungs power the upper center. The kidneys get their power from inherited or genetic qi.

The spleen gets power from food. The lungs get power from the air. "Power" is another word for Qi. If there's a problem with one of the centers, it is usually clogged with phlegm, toxins, and stagnant food or it is lacking in qi because of problems with the spleen or the associated organ.

A body that is clogged up with phlegm and toxins is extremely susceptible to all kinds of illnesses. Just as stagnant water in a pond is susceptible to disease, so is stagnant qi. Maintaining a healthy triple warmer can make a world of difference in health in general, and one can be healed from illnesses due to stagnation or lack of qi by daily practicing qigong.

*Qigong postures help to circulate qi throughout the triple warmer eliminating stagnation and bringing in fresh clean qi.

Three Energy Centers

In addition to the three main reservoirs in the body are also three very important energy centers in the body as well. They are called power centers.

• The lower Tan Tian(pronounced Dan Teen-en) is a fist sized energy center located 2 to 3 inches below the navel.

This is considered a foundation energy center in the body. It gives fundamental energy to the body. The digestion and absorption functions of the small intestine located in the lower Tan Tian are improved by accumulating qi energy in this area. Dr. Zhi Gang Sha, a world renowned health specialist and gifted healer states,"People must develop this area first to gain energy, increased immunity, and build strong stamina to heal body, mind, and soul. I have discovered the people who suffer from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, tension, cancer, chronic diseases, and other unhealthy conditions have low energy in the lower Tan Tian. If you want to restore your health, you have to develop the power of the lower Tan Tian.”

• The Middle Tan Tian is a fist size energy center located about 2 inches inside the body directly between the breasts.

Tibetan Buddhist call this area of the message center because this area allows one to send and receive messages from the universe. This is a very important center for healing as this is where the essence of the qi and blood accumulate.

• The Upper Tan Tian is a cherry sized energy center located between the eyebrows or what many of you know as the third eye.

Developing this area helps when developing greater intelligence into the visibility and creativity. We will be working with the Three Tan Tian shortly.

There are many forms of qigong and many variations of movement.For this course, we sought out the most powerful and effective qigong movements and meditations for the student to apply so they will get the most benefit from their practice time.You'll learn how to gather up your Qi, circulate and storage. After time, you will feel the qi in and around your body. Some of you will begin to see the qi. Some may see a clear cobweb like patterns rounding them. Others may see colors. This is a three-month program and I am very excited to offer this to Bōdhi students as this program incorporates some of the most powerful qigong methods only recently available to the public.

You will learn to destress the qigong way, released pent-up emotions and clear the organs of polluted qi, relieve headaches, back aches and other aches and pains from the body, and while you're busy healing yourself and others with the techniques you're practicing every day; overtime, your energy will grow stronger and your vibratory rate will increase.What are called"special abilities" or"psychic powers" will develop and you will come to realize it is just the natural process of existing in a human state. Healing will come more natural to you. You may develop an ache in your body and he'll it within minutes with your mind. Most importantly, you will prevent illness from even entering your body and qigong will considerably strengthen your ability to heal others.

Suggested Practice Time

Committed to practicing qigong at least 6 days per week. Seven is better and more than once a day is good too. Once you commit to this, you must discipline yourself to work up to doing from 30 to 45 minutes a day minimum. Many people practice for an hour a day or more. Your practice time is spent in meditation. The exercises that follow are designed to take three months of practice.After this time, you may want to find a cheap competition in your area or purchase a T gun instruction video for additional training.

The 30 minutes can be divided up into 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. Ideal time to practice qigong movement is early in the morning when the qi is fresh and clean and you might want to practice the meditation segment of the exercise at night before retiring. Don't worry if this is not possible. It is better to do it anytime of the day than not at all.

“EVEN AS RAIN PENETRATES A POORLY ROOFED HOUSE

SO DOES LUST

FOR THINGS, PEOPLE, AND EXPERIENCES

PENETRATE AN UNTRAINED MIND.

BUT RAIN CANNOT PENETRATE

A WELL ROOFED HOUSE,

AND DESIRE CANNOT PENETRATE

A WELL-TRAINED MIND.” ~the still point Dhammapada

MONTH ONE

Note: If you have a chronic illness, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Then, start out slow, practicing each exercise for only one minute and that you feel the next day. Gradually increase the amount of time spent on each exercise. If you noticed any negative side effects, skip a day or two to allow your body to come back into balance, then begin again. Eventually you'll be able to practice a full set, without any side effects, and reap the benefits of your daily practice.

*Remember, if you're standing, you always want to stand in the basic Qigong stance. If sitting in a chair, keep your feet flat on the ground and your spine straight. Always inhale and ask him through the nose unless otherwise stated and placed her tongue slightly on the roof of your mouth.

Qigong Exercises

For the next 30 days practicing the following each day in the order presented:

1. Bone Marrow Cleanse

2. Standing Posture 1

3. Standing Posture 2

4. Lower Tan Tian Power exercise

5. Middle Tan Tian Power exercise

6. Upper Tan Tian Power exercise

7. Meditations: Releasing stress the Qigong way, lying down stress reliever and sun moon meditation.

You'll find directions directions for each of these exercises below. Read through all the exercises to become acquainted with them. You will be practicing each exercise for 1 to 3 minutes each, increasing the amount of time over the weeks.The meditations can be practiced separately at a different time of day from the postures or movements if you like. After 30 days we will add additional exercises to practice.

Bone Marrow Cleanse

Bone marrow cleansing is a set of gentle qigong postures and breathing exercises attributed to The fifth century Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, who is the founder of Zen Buddhism.Bone marrow cleansing is where most powerful healing methods of drawing qi into and through the body. It improves posture and deepens the breath, purchase the body of stagnant qi and balances the immune system.

• Stand the the basic qigong posture with hands in front of the Dan Tian. Line up the palms so that the center of the hands are about 12 inches apart, as though holding an energy ball. Slowly rise the ball up to the level of the chest. As your palms closed together, close your eyes. Bend your elbows in the hands an affair like fashion to the heart center, your thumbs resting gently on your sternum or breastbone. Maintain this posture for two minutes and focus on your breathing– breathing deeply into the lower Tan Tian, abdomen and back expanding as you inhale, contracting as you exhale. Let your mind become silent and calm. Then extend your arms outward, as your palm separate, open your eyes. Arms slowly drop down to your sides.

• Arms at your side.Palms facing forward slightly raise your arms up laterally, (On each side of your body) To shoulder height. With elbows slightly bent, turn palms outward, facing away from the body, fingers pointing toward the heavens. Hold this position for two minutes.In this position, exhale imagining that your body is filling the universe; your head touches the heavens, your feet reached to the center of the earth. Your arms extended infinitely to the sides. Inhale deeply imagining every pore on your body opening up and universal qi flowing easily through you. When exhaling, focus on the top of your head, palms of your hands and the bottom of your feet. Imagine as you inhale and exhale there is an exchange of healthy, positive, fresh healing Qi in the universe, the heavens, and the earth.Then turn palms forward and allow your arms to slowly drop your sides.

• Your left hand slowly floats behind the body until the back of your hand is resting comfortably in the middle of your lower back at the same time your right arm stretches out laterally with the palms facing forward.This is a very slow movement. As you send your hand up towards the top of your head it reaches directly over the head, arm still reaches out comfortably, turn your palm toward the sky and reach for the heavenly energies. Turn the palm downward and pull the heavenly energies into the top of your head. Remember, they are very slow movements.Palm is two or 3 inches above the crown. Feel the energy between the center of the palm and the top of your head.Inhale and as you exhale slide your hand forward and slowly lower the hands down the front centerline of your body, palm facing down. Imagine fresh healing qi flowing through the bones of your body, cleansing the bone marrow, feeling your bones with fresh qi. Imagine your skeleton glowing with white light as you move your hand slowly down the front of your body, pushing the stale qi out the bottoms of your feet. Imagine the stale qi being absorbed by the earth, composted and returned as fresh healthy qi.

  Just as your hand relaxes to the side at the point that the other hand is resting on your back, they hand at the lower back releases and also floats to the side. Now you're ready to switch to the other side. Right hand moves to the smell of your back, left hand reaches to the heavens. Cleanse the bone marrow, alternating with one hand, then the other, five times on each side. The movement are very slow.

• Then raise both hands up in the front of the body, palms facing up. As hands reach shoulder heights turn palms up to the sky and stretch arms overhead reaching for heavenly energies. Imagine for 10 seconds that you are a strong tree with branches reaching up to the sky and roots reaching down to the earth's core. Turn your palms down and lower hands slightly so that hands are about 12 inches above your head, fingers not touching butt pointing to each other, forming a dome. Hold this position for one minute, visualizing that you are in a dome of gold light – of protective, healing light.Then slide your hands forward and lower them down the front of your body, palms facing down imagining the pew her, healing qi is washing through the entire body, your bones, muscles, tendons and trillions of cells.Closest side by bringing your hands to your side and stand in the basic qigong stance for one minute.

  *The bone marrow cleanse should take 5 minutes to complete. However, this varies.

Standing Posture 1

This is how we connect and be as one with the universe when we start practicing the Great Stork Qigong:

Stand in the basic Qigong stance, knees slightly bent, shoulders relax, arms at the side. Breathe naturally. The upper part of the body is light and floating but the lower part is solid as a rock and the feet are firmly planted on the grounds. Imagine you're standing in front of an ancient pine tree (or you can practice this in front of a real one if possible) and your feet are just like the roots of the tree going deep into the ground. Your body is like the pine tree rising high into the sky. You're not just like the pine tree, you feel as if you have become the pine tree. Then your hands slowly rise, stretching out gently up towards the sky. Hold this position for 1 to 5 minutes. To finish, slowly drop your hands and as you are coming down, imagine you are showered with the radiance of the universe.

Standing Posture 2

When one knows and sincerely believes in the power of the Qi, the ability to do Qi healing it comes naturally without effort. Some people are born with this ability without understanding it; almost everybody can acquire the ability. The following is one of the basic routines to follow to strengthen the Qi:

Stand in the basic Qigong stance, knees slightly bent, shoulders relaxed, hands outstretched in front of the lower Tan Tian. Breath naturally. Slowly raise your hands in front of your body as if you're holding an energy ball. Your palms should be facing each other, about 8 to 10 inches apart. When you reach chest level, palms facing each other, still 8 to 10 inches apart.Stand 1 to 5 minutes in this pasture.When finished, allow your hands to drop to the side.

There is a variation of this posture you can practice if you have the opportunity to do so:

Stand with knees slightly bent, shoulders relaxed, facing a pine tree or huge gum tree, palms of the hands facing the tree, standing about 1 foot away from the trunk.There are a rings of Qi around the tree, so sense and select where the Qi is strongest to stand. Connect to the sky and mother earth and silently seek permission to share the Qi of the tree. Stand 3 to 5 minutes and close with hands one over the other below the navel (men left-hand first, women right hand first).

Lower Tan Tian Power exercise

Sit on the floor with legs crossed or in the chair, feet flat on the ground. Keep your back straight. The tip of your tongue should touch at the roof of your mouth. With the right palm, hold your left thumb tightly; the left palm should touch the right hand gently. Squeeze your thumb with about 70% at 80% of your strength.Place both hands directly on the Lower Tan Tian area, about 2 inches below the navel.Chant the sound Joe, which is the number 9 in Chinese and a powerful healing sound. Repeat this sound for three minutes with your hands resting on your Lower Tan Tian. At the same time, imagine a bright white light radiating in your Lower Tan Tian. Continue chanting for three minutes and always thank the universe when finished. Say Hao, Hao, Hao (pronounced ‘how’ and means ‘Get Well’)then, thank you, thank you, thank you.

*If you have difficulty visualizing the bright light, try the following exercise:

Visualize a light bulb in the Lower Tan Tian area. See you burning at 40 watts, then 60 watts, 100 watts, 500 watts, becoming brighter and brighter, 1,000 watts, then 10,000 watts!Imagine an explosion of light! The whole abdomen shines and glows! It radiates brilliant, clear white light.

It may also help to visualize the powerful sun moving down from the sky into your Lower Tan Tian, growing brighter and brighter, filling the entire area, becoming bigger and bigger, brighter and brighter.

Middle Tan Tian Power exercise

There are two methods to strengthen this area. Choose either or do both!

Stand in the basic Qigong posture with hands in front of the lower Tan Tian. Line up the palms so that the center of the hands are facing each other about 12 inches apart. Imagine you're holding an energy ball. Slowly raise the ball up to the level of your chest. As your palms close together, close your eyes. Bend your elbows and move the hand in a prayer like fashion to the heart center, your thumbs resting gently on your sternum. Chant of words “Ar Mi Tou Fou” (pronounced are mee toe foe). For beginners, do this for three minutes and worked up to 15 minutes within a period of a few months of daily practice.

This will open the Middle Tan Tian and help acquire the ability to contact your spirit guides in the spiritual world.Buddhists practice this for hours at a time to help them make contact with spirits. If you have the time and motivation, practices for one half hour a day for one month and noticed any changes.

For this exercise,You can stand, sit or lie down.

Hold both palms facing your chest with one hand about 4 to 8 inches from the chest and the other hand 12 to 20 inches from the chest. Chant Ar while visualizing bright white light.When finish say, Hao, Hao, Hao, Thank you, thank you, thank you. Maintain this pasture for two or three minutes and focus on your breathing– breathing deeply into the lower Dan Tian – abdomen expanding as you inhale, contracting as you exhale.

Upper Tan Tian Power exercise

Sending with feet shoulder width apart in the basic Qigong stance.Facebook hands above your head with palms facing down, with one hand 48 inches from the head and one hand 12 to 20 inches from your head. Chant yi yi yi (pronounced ee),visualizing bright white light, when finished say, Hao, Hao, Hao, thank you, thank you, thank you.Practice this for three minutes.

To fully open the center, you will have to work up to half hour a day of practice. It may take anywhere from days to months depending on how far it is already open. This will substantially increase your creative intuitive abilities.

Suggested Practice Time:

**If you practice each exercise for three minutes day and are in perfect health it is said you will maintain your health by incorporating these practices into your daily regimen. If you're sick you'll want to practice them 15 minutes per exercise to reap the benefits and heal.Cancer patients have been healed by using these techniques. Practicing them for spiritual purposes such as to be a channel and have contact with the spirit world will take a half hour a day or more.These exercises can be practiced more than once a day if you choose and can be practiced three minutes a day each or up to as much as an hour or more. The time you put into it, the more energy you will accumulate.