Qigong for the Heart

A short practice to balance the heart energy when the weather gets hot. :) SWINGING ARMS The classic warmup to ease out the spine and get everything moving. Relax the arms completely, so that all movement comes from the turn of the waist. Loose fists knock on the lower back and belly, and then on the lung points at the front of the shoulders. TWISTING SIDE TO SIDE This eases out tensions in the upper back and spine. Stay in your comfort zone and keep the shoulders relaxed. One hand goes in front of the chest and the other hand rests on the spine at whatever level feels easy. Exhale as you twist to the side, and inhale as you come back to centre. Exhale and twist to the other side. Then swap hands and repeat. CHAI This Wuji qigong move balances the heart and lung energy. Again, stay relaxed - the benefits come from the gentle stretching and the movement of chi. Inhale and draw a ball of chi from the belly to the middle dantien, at heart level. Exhale and extend the hands out in a diagonal, fingertips pointing upwards. Extend from the shoulderblades, and stay within your comfortable range of motion. Exhale and bring the hands down. Repeat to the other side. Then inhale and draw the chi ball up, this time pushing up with one hand and down with the other. Palms connect down to the earth and up to the sky. FAIR LADY WORKS THE SHUTTLES A classic tai chi move for the heart and pericardium. As we turn from side to side, the hands press outwards gently, as if we're pushing the shuttle on a loom. Let the sideways movement come from the waist. The hands and elbows stay centred. TAKING DOWN THE FLAME From Donna Eden's wonderful Energy Medicine work, this technique can be surprisingly calming. Inhale as you bring the arms up and form a triangle with the hands, fingers pointing to the sky. Exhale with an 'Aaahh' sound as you bring the triangle down above the head. Inhale. Exhale with an 'Aaahh' as you come down to the forehead. Inhale. Exhale with an 'Aaahh' as you come down to the heart. Inhale. Exhale with an 'Aaahh' and turn your hands so that the fingers point down, with the triangle over the belly. Inhale. Exhale with an 'Aaahh' and place your hands on your thighs, grounding into the earth. BRINGING DOWN THE HEAVENS Inhale as you reach to gather energy from the sky, and exhale as you bring that energy showering down the body and into the earth. This move is also calming and grounding. COMPLETION One hand over the other on the belly, allowing the chi you've generated to settle back into the body. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day! If you enjoyed this video, great. Please do like, share and subscribe. Thanks.😊 ABOUT AMANDA I've been meditating and practising tai chi and qigong for 25 years now. I love to share these techniques - they are truly awesome.