Cultivating Qi

Qi (pronounced Chee) is not only the energy flowing through pathways called meridians in our body; but also includes blood, and all fluids such as lymphatic, synovial and cerebral spinal fluids for example. Stagnation of Qi according to ancient Chinese healing causes dis-ease in our body and mind. If the Qi becomes disrupted, you can imagine the disharmony created by the diminished energy and fluid movement.

Stagnation of Qi has many causes:

Long standing frustration, chronic illness, emotional disturbances, accidents and circulatory problems are a few examples.

We have all experienced disturbances in the last 2 years.

Stagnation of Qi can lead to:

Fatigue, irritability, insomnia, depression, anxiety, digestive problems and many more.

Here is an exercise to help you develop a somatic awareness of Qi:

Standing, place your hands in front of your navel as if you were holding an imaginary beach ball. Allow your fingers to be soft and your shoulders and arms relaxed. Close your eyes and begin to breathe in as you move your hand away from the ball, pause in between and as you exhale bring your hands back. Visualize a glowing white ball that grows bigger as you inhale and grows smaller and brighter as you exhale. Slow your breathing down and gradually extend your exhale longer than your inhale. Continue for 5 minutes, concentrating on feeling the warmth of the glowing ball and the energy force becoming more concentrated as your hands move in on the exhale and lighter as your hands move away on the inhale.

After 5 minutes, stand with the hands resting in the original starting position. Sense the magnetic resistance between your hand and slowing pulse the hands back and forth away from each other.

Once you practise and learn to feel the Qi, then you can learn to move the energy to areas of your body to create more ease, harmony and Qi flow.

Jill McCubbin-Clare
Registered Acupuncturist R.Ac
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner R.TCMP
Certified Yoga Therapist C-IAYT

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” Rumi