Qigong to Be Here Now

'Be here now' - what more do we need? This routine activates the radiant circuits and the essential joy of being alive. There's something to love in every moment. 😊 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. SHAKING Really relax and let go of tension as you gently shake out all the joints. Clasping the hands and shaking them in front of you while you make a noise might be a bit of a challenge at first, but it's wonderful for releasing neck, head and jaw tension! SEDATING TRIPLE WARMER This calms the fight or flight response. A permanently activated triple warmer will keep you in your head - adrenal, alert, and anxious. We trace a portion of the meridian backwards here, to allow us to drop the noise and find the present moment. Inhale as the fingers move from the temples to the top of the ear. Exhale as they come down the side of the neck to the tops of the shoulders. Inhale and dig your fingers in with some pressure. Exhale, releasing your grip, and let your hands come to the heart. RADIATING FROM THE DEPTHS From the wonderful work of Prune Harris, this activates the radiant circuits which lie deep in the energy system. First we massage the Gate of Life point on the lower back opposite the navel. Then move down to the sacrum and massage there. Bring the hands round over the hips and to the pubic bone. Then draw a line up the centre of the body and the neck, to finish holding the fingers to each side of the mouth. PUSH CHI WITH YIN BREATHING Use this to release any repetitive thinking or anxieties. The yin breath again dampens the fight-or-flight reflex. Inhale as you bring your palms up to the lung points at the front of the shoulder. Exhale as you push, imagining you are pushing stress or any difficult situations out of your system. Keep the breath out as you slowly drop the hands back to your sides. CELTIC WEAVE From Donna Eden's Energy Medicine. Again we strengthen the radiant circuits here, creating loops and spiral movements in the deep energy field. Rub the hands together and hold them at a comfortable distance from your ears. Inhale as the elbows come together, and exhale as you circle the arms round. We make two circles at heart level, then one a little lower, and finally one as close to the ground as you find comfortable. Connect with the earth beneath your feet. Then scoop up earth energy, and let it pour down through your energy system. Again just reach the hands down as far as is comfortable. WU JI STANCE The 'be here now' standing pose. The palms face outwards. The knees are slightly bent and the tailbone dropped as if you're about to sit on a high stool. Chin tucked in. It's a natural position, with the spine comfortably extended. Breathe and let yourself be here in this moment. You really don't ever need to be anywhere else. 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.