Qigong for Life But With A Reality Check

My four-day qigong experience in Miami (general photos of the workshop) left me on such an emotional high, I felt it wise to come back down to earth before speaking on it at length. I figured I should return to my day to day challenges and life before blogging on the practicalities of what was probably meant to be a lifestyle shift. Lifestyle shifts are pretty regular for me and are typical surprises. I never look for them. I rarely say anything like, “This year I’m going to…” It’s more like they fall in my lap and I say, “I think I like this.” Some last, and some don’t. Some take me to the door of another experience. Some drop off with nothing in its place and I flounder without direction for who knows how long.

Attending the qigong workshop presented by Supreme Science Qigong was not my idea. I was an extra participant, but I had decided to be completely open to the experience and see where it might lead me. For 4 days the workshop led its participants through the three levels of Qigong (chee-gong), a 5,000-year-old practice of Qi (energy), and Gong (work). This essentially means understanding ones space in the universe as being surrounded by natural energy forces. These forces are both within and outside of us. It is the balance or lack of balance with these that can dictate our emotional and physical well being, as well as our ability to maneuver through our day to day in harmony with these forces. For instance, gravity is one such force that holds us earthbound, but our physical relationship with it allows us to move, walk, and run through it. At an early age we learn how to manage this force around us. Learning to walk is actually learning to fall with grace and trust in the unseen earths gravity. There are more forces around us. There are energy fields and magnetic relationships such as those within our bloodstream that ensure balance and survival. Qigong, in a very simplified manner is the work of harnessing and utilizing the energy that surrounds us, to ensure the harmonious balance between our conscious minds and our autonomic physical systems. This work gets harder as we grow older and are influenced by the challenges of life and our environment.

There are numerous health benefits to engaging in a regular qigong practice. Studies have shown marked reductions in blood pressure and stress hormone release, while noting increases in brain and focus boosting oxygen saturation. Qigong requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Its calming and healing features have been discussed as anti-aging tools for many generations. Even Oprah jumped on the bandwagon and qigong exercises are prominently displayed on her website. Her guru Dr Oz, recently made the bold statement, “If you want to be healthy and live to 100, do qigong.”

In a qigong practice you focus on the breath (as energy), slow your movements in time with the inhalation and exhalation, and strive to visualize qi(energy) all around you. These slow movements are purposeful to gather qi and bring your body emotionally and physically in balance. Imagine yourself as Neo in “The Matrix.” The field that you see around you is like qi. Now slow yourself, collect, and work with it.

This was difficult for me, because to slow my mind and body has always been a challenge. Yet, it is a challenge that I‘ve always known would be valuable to my mental and physical health if I could overcome my fidgety nature. Our workshop had about 300 people present, some fidgety and some not, but we were all doing qigong simultaneously. Having so many around attempting the same task was inspiring and the energy was high. It really pushed me to give this practice my best. Our instructor Jeff Primack constantly guided us to slow down and access the qi around us. He explained that qi could not be harnessed with quick motions. Like wisps of smoke, if we grab at it, the smoke will rush away and dissipate. But slow purposeful motion allows us to feel and see the smoke. Like this, our relationship with our internal and external qi must be slowed down in order to “see” and feel it as well. Once I hunkered down and settled my mind, I was able to complete the slow, precise motions with focus and sincerity. I was surprised to begin to feel a warmth and vibration passing between my outstretched palms. I thought, “Could this be qi?” There was a peace to this warmth that was very grounding. This started to make sense to me. Slow down. Clear your mind. Breathe. Make purposeful sincere movements. Connect yourself to the universe around you. Experience peace.

While there are many different forms of qigong taught by various instructors, the core concepts remain. What I enjoyed about the Supreme Science method and its instructor and founder Jeff Primack, was that the physical formations were simple and assessable to a large base of people with differing physical starting points. Some qigong forms require leg lifts and other challenges to balance. Supreme Science level 1 and 2 forms focus on precise movements with an emotional connection to visualizing and capturing qi- which in turn strengthens the body towards more advanced movements in level 3 and beyond. The video clip I’ve posted at the top of this blog shows a time lapse of forms 1 and 2. You can also see instructor Jeff Primack beautifully executing forms from level 2. Watching him you can experience the intensity, energy, and focus of qigong. The harnessing of all of these qualities is key to qigong. At the clips end you will see workshop participants sitting chair to chair, holding hands, and doing breathing meditations. At our session, this 9 breath method was taught as a means to oxygenate the body(not hyperventilate), connect with qi, and ground oneself. Each workshop has group meditations where this chain of healing energy is focused and sent out to loved ones and enemies equally. Equally to the world, and to the universe. I was enraptured. I utilized the 9 breath method as we engaged in a healing meditation and I thought of many things and many people. My mind traveled to young Saniyah Davis, a youngster in our community who was murdered. The angst felt over such a tragedy is incredible. This practice helped us not minimize, but address some of that.

At the tail end of the workshop, I raised my hand along with other buzzed and motivated souls, and committed to at least 30 days of qigong. The prescription from our qigong master Jeff Primack was that we would begin the next 30 days by rising early, drinking warm water and green tea, digesting a nutrient rich smoothie, visiting the porcelain goddess, showering and then doing a 45-60 minute qigong session before taking on the world. In essence, set our energy and focus to the positive so that our days would manifest as less stressful, deflecting negativity and manifesting good health. This sounds wonderful, and some days I was able to do so. Still, even with my very flexible life there were mornings I had things to do that would knock me off track and preclude my taking the 90 minutes or more that it would take to do what Jeff asked of us. Sometimes I had difficulty, and while my body was participating in the full 45 minute routine (led by Jeff on video), my mind would often race and think about the clock and what I needed to do afterwards.

I don’t beat myself up on this. I imagine this is a fairly common experience. To go from 4 days in a cocoon of 300+ supportive souls to the sounds, experiences, and expectations of real life on your shoulders can be a jolt. I still believe a major point of a qigong practice is to gain positive perspective of such real life challenges. This is not an overnight task.

This is a lifestyle change, so instead of dropping the whole thing in frustration, I reworked my commitment. For this first stage in my lifestyle shift to a healthier and managed life through qigong, I committed to 30 days, which don’t have to be one after the other. I try not to let too much time lapse between sessions because I know that the “good” qi can be lost in that time. I realize that 30 continuous days is the ideal, but not quite practical for me right now. However, when I feel a bit jagged around the edges I know that qigong will help me regain control and focus. This as a tool is a major shift for me. Importantly, when I step to a 45-minute qigong practice now, it is with a sincerity and purpose that will build a truly regular and more intensive practice in the long run.

I’ll be blogging more on my qigong journey in the days to come. Let me know if you start your own. Here are some links to assist you.

Jeff Primack’s Supreme Science Qigong Workshops and Qigong Info- link- you might have to check back for 2010 schedule

Oprah Winfrey Show Qigong Video and Audio Meditations link

Tags: qigong