Here is the second monthly simple chi kung instructional video. Each month I will produce and post a short video of movements suitable for almost anyone to do at home. This is a way for me to say thanks to my paying subscribers for making my writing life possible. If you haven’t read the introduction and watched the first video in January’s ‘Return to Movement’ post, then have a look at that first, and try the exercise there: raising ch’i.
You’ll need loose comfortable clothing, flat slippers or warm socks, and a well ventilated space or peaceful outdoor spot. When you’re ready, play the video and follow along a few times. When you feel you can remember it, turn the video off, close the screen, and have a go on your own, looking out toward the horizons (whether you can see them or not!)
The aim is to feel settled and relaxed, rather than special or weird… Work on feeling the soles of your feet melting into the ground and imagine that you could breathe through your feet. When you have done a few minutes of the first and second exercises, step up heel to heel and just stand in what we call ‘the attention posture’ for a few moments, before moving off and doing something else.
If you like, you can continue to stand for as long as you want in this simple standing meditation until you feel moved to move. There is nothing special to do with the mind, just notice what arises, and let it be, without trying to change it.
You can do these exercises up to twice a day, for up to 5 minutes, as a beginner. No need to rush things. Typically people report feeling more relaxed and aware after chi kung, but if you feel any ill effects, just cease practicing and you’ll feel like your normal self quite quickly. We’ll be building on these simple foundations every month over the coming year so that you can have a daily practice that will help relax and rejuvenate you.
You can get in with me touch via the comments on the post if you have any queries, or send an email via Substack, just put ‘chi kung’ in the subject line, and I’ll answer as soon as I can. In a few months’ time, I’ll arrange an open Zoom session for any paying subscribers to come along and do some chi kung with me. It’s lovely to do it in a group, even over Zoom, it turns out. During the UK lockdowns it kept many of us feeling sane and well. If you want to know more about my T’ai Chi School, go to www.greatrivertaichi.com . If you want to learn T’ai chi in person in London UK or on Zoom this spring, go to The T’ai Chi Centre or drop me a line and I will put you in touch with my teacher, as I am currently on a sabbatical from teaching regular classes.
I am grateful to Kajedo Wanderer of the Findhorn Community for teaching me my first chi kung, including this one, in 1987. I have been practising ever since.
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