If you’re working too many hours, recovering from an illness, just got off a long haul flight and have travelled through time zones or are generally feeling a little off, it’s a good idea to take a break from kung fu or your usual workout and focus on Restorative Qigong. We work hard in our lives and the only rest that many of us have is when we sleep.
Restorative Qigong helps us to release and let go. It’s a medicine for the mind and body. Once our mind is clear of stress, we are happier and relaxed. The best Qigong to do a restorative practice is The Eight Treasures Qigong or sitting Qigong.
You can practice inside or outside. But try not to practice close to a busy road. If you’re inside you can use a diffuser with essential oils made from trees such as cyprus or frankincense. These are good lung energy oils.
Of course all Qigong is restorative. The only difference in a restorative practice is that we move through the form slower and we hold each movement for 6 breaths rather than 3. Remember this is reverse breathing (check my chapter on breathing to check you’re doing it correctly or watch the video below).
Research is showing that the way we breathe may have an impact on our immune system. If you’re in the UK, you can watch an interesting documentary about a man who changes the antibodies in his blood through breathe. I believe that Iron Shirt Bone Marrow cleansing changes our blood too so if there are any scientists out there, I welcome you to test my blood!
Breath is with us all the time so it’s easy to take it for granted. But it has an incredible power. Breath is the link between body and mind. Slow the breath and we slow the mind. Breath and movement have even more power. If you are burnt out or stressed, restorative Qigong is difficult to do. But it’s even more important for you to do this.
You don’t need to do all of the form, just a few of the movements for thirty minutes and then finish with the Instant Health Massage. Take longer than usual doing this massage and focus on any tender acupressure points. Let me know how you get on in the comments below.
Click HERE to find out more about The 8 Treasures Qigong.
Click HERE to download the sitting Qigong today.