Qigong's Chong Mai Channel and Wuji Posture Explained

Kevin discusses Qigong's Chong Mai channel & Wuji Posture in this short video. The Chong Mai is thought to be the very first energy channel formed after conception, running down the center of the body from the top of the head, Du20, Bai Hui down into the lower dantian and exiting at Ren 1, Hui Yin. Keeping the Chong Mai tonified and straight is important for vitality & efficient blood and Qi flow. Wuji posture is the fundamental meditative stance in Qigong and Taichi. Kevin discusses how Wuji posturing can ensure the Chong Mai is straight and free from stagnation by lifting the pubic bone and tucking in our chin as taught by YOQI®'s Marisa Cranfill.

Yi Jin Jing Marrow. & Muscle Changing Sarasota Nov 24

I love this YOQI® tradition Yi Jin Jing Qigong flow. Yi Jin Jing is an ancient and traditional medical Qigong flow supposedly originating with the Bodhidharma, a historically renown Buddhist monk from around 5th century CE and responsible for the spread of Chan Buddhism. Yi Jin Jing, 易筋经, literally says "transform sinews classic" and this YOQI® lineage style is one of my favorite flows. Here the Yi Jin Jing may look easy however with appropriate breathing, pauses and position holds the flow will truly tonify QI potential, release muscular stagnation and move the blood. We use two main Qigong tools here; the clenching of fists - tightening and releasing then repeating, and the hissing exhale of breath - purging stagnant Qi and excess heat from our body. May you be blessed and filled with Qi.

The Dao of the Beach

Sublime beauty of the energy sun, ocean & earth form together at the beach. #balance #yangsheng #qigong #dao #tao

Ba Duan Jin Nov 28 Lido Key

Ba Duan Jin is an ancient medical Qigong flow for moving QI & Blood while strengthening tendons & muscles & opening fascia & Qi channels. Ba Duan Jin translates "Eight Pieces of Brocades" & though the movements are slower, timed with our lower dantian breathing (belly breathing), this flow truly builds vitality with regular practice. I love Ba Duan Jin flow and am so glad to have learned this Daoist version from Marisa at YOQI®.

https://youtu.be/nQ6an8A9Ahg?si=hewEdHhXUWndcLTP

Aortic Dissection Life hack of the day for Sunrise #Qigong

Sunrise #Qigong by the pool is a great way to start the day while the pourover coffee is brewing. So today I learned (TIL) I need to keep a spare key outside the house.  Qigong really has kept me limber and flexible but I barely could crawl through the 'Doggy Door' when I found myself inadvertently locked out. Thank goodness for Qigong & Doggy Doors.

Xi Sui Jing 4 Bone Marrow Washing Nov 24

Florida Native Plant & Nature Art, Wetland Upland Edges

 17" x 15" x 2" live edge Eastern Red cedar slab (Juniperus virginiana).  This piece is number 2 of 6 pieces in the Discovering Florida Seep Head Bog collection set.  Fire torch, oil pigment & resin.

Oil, fire & resin on Eastern Red Cedar #2 of 6, 15" x 17" x 2"

Florida native plants & wildflowers included in this piece are; fruiting Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), White Topped Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia leucophylla), Bog Buttons ( Lachnocaulon anceps), Florida cooters, (Pseudemys floridana floridana), Bidens mitis (Small fruit beggarticks), Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), Xyris floridana (Florida yellow-eyed grass), Marsh rosegentian (Sabatia dodecandra), Mama Mockingbird with eggs - which really are often bright speckled blue- (Mimus polyglottus).

When in studio inspirations from years of swamp & forest exploration envelope me and I am transported to the most remote areas of our native ecosystems where the art becomes reality. This is the real place called heaven.

Most Restaurant Food Isn't For Me

 I ate a hamburger out tonight, at a popular restaurant here in Sarasota.  I had food here at home however have been studying all day and just wanted a break.  My home prepared food is so much better than anything I can get out.  Why do I want to go eat sub-par food out? Honestly I'm not sure.  I don't do it often.  After tonight I think I will do it less.

Yang Sheng suggests we eat local grown foods and prepare them with care using clean healthy ingredients.

Life is a learning journey.

Xi Sui Jing part 3

Section three of Xi Sui Jing, Bone Marrow Washing.

This section focuses on channels running through our arms and shoulders while massaging the liver, spleen and gallbladder as we turn from our lumbar region up through the thoracic into our cervical spine area. Bone marrow washing is one of my favorite Daoist flows for focus, breath work and balancing Qi. Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine

Xi Sui Jing Part Two of Four, North Lido, Nov 24

 Here is Part two of four in the Xi Sui Jing, Bone Marrow Washing flow.

This Qigong practice involves specific breathing techniques, body postures, and visualization to stimulate the flow of Qi (life force) through the body, with a focus on reaching the deep tissues including the bone marrow. Xi Sui Jing is one of my favorite Qigong flows and has been part of my aortic rupture & cancer healing practices for years. Be Blessed & Filled with Qi! #YOQI® Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine

XI Sui Jing, Section 1, Bone Marrow Washing

 Enjoy a brief video of the first section of Xi Sui Jing, Bone Marrow Washing. 

Xi Shui Jing, Bone Marrow Washing is a practice within traditional Chinese Qigong, particularly associated with Shaolin martial arts, that aims to cleanse and revitalize the body's internal energy (Qi) by focusing on the bone marrow level; essentially considered a practice for promoting longevity and deep internal healing. I love this flow. 

"Yang Sheng", Nourishing Life Practices

 My YOQI™ teacher shares much about the Daoist life approach of "Yang Sheng".  Learning Yǎng Shēng fundamentals has been a life changing experience for me, improving both my physical & mental health.

Yǎng Shēng Characters from Mandarin

Yang Sheng,  養生, can be translated as meaning "Nourishing life for longevity".  I've read translations, especially those written in the Ming dynasty era, that also convey the main meaning such as; longevity life,  nurturing vitality, cultivating life, nourishing one's vital principle.  Some additional older manuscript descriptions of Yǎng Shēng include:

• Preserving one's lifespan by keeping good health,
• Living locally,
• Working the land & raising food, and
• Keeping the mind and body healthy for longevity.

Some of the primary tenants of Yǎng Shēng include: 

• Self whole body care, especially self massage
• Qigong, yoga, stretching and exercises that move Qi & balance Yin & Yang
• Lower Dantian Breathing (belly breathing instead of chest breathing)
• Meditation
• Spending time outdoors in the sun & water & elements (think five element theory)
• balancing fire & water
• grounding into earth
• opening the Central Chong Channel to the heavens above & earth below
• balancing metal & wood elements
• Dietetics
• eating local
• organic & sustainably raised foods
• avoiding mono-crop raised foods and seeking out foods raised with complex biodiversity techniques (emphasis on Entourage Effect)
• avoiding all refined sugars & unhealthy fats
• Internal alchemy - Neidan - such as esoteric, 'spiritual alchemy'
• External Alchemy - Waidan - as Herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Sexual Health

"Yang Sheng"'s focus can be a healing pathway for us.  We will be looking at the most used components off "Yang Sheng" over the next several blogs.  Hope you will follow and consider how "Yang Sheng" can improve all aspects of your health.

Be blessed and filled with Qi.

Qigong & Acupuncture Has Given Me Back An Awesome Life

 I learn best from personal experiences. After my aortic rupture surgery I had to have help just to make it to the toilet from my recliner.  Today I walked miles on the beach, swam for almost an hour and worked with Bone Marrow Washing Qigong flow routines.

Moving Qi!

Oriental Medicine & medical Qigong both helped me move my focus back into nature based awareness.

Today I received an amazing treatment from a renown acupuncture practitioner, who I am also studying with, that combined the Liver 3 (Tài Chōng, 太沖) with Stomach 36 (Zú Sān Lǐ, 足三里) Large Intestine 4 (Hé Gǔ, 合谷) & EX-HN3 Yin Tang (印堂) & EX HN-04 Fish Belly (印堂) points needling.

Nothing is better than experiencing healing first hand.

In addition to acupuncture, Qigong, including Medical Qigong has given my body a totally new and exciting lease on life's activities.  Before Qigong my body was full of stagnation and I could barely hold my arms over my head.  Today my Qigong progress allows me to do most anything I want to physically.  Importantly, Qigong has taught me a 'better way' to accomplish what I want to do.  Now I move with intent rather than force, though when I need force my Qi flows strong.

So I am going to begin blogging again daily, sharing what, how, and why I am so convinced of the healing power of Yang Sheng modalities.  Be Blessed and Filled with Qi. Kevin.