Qigong Move of the Month: Opening the Small Heavenly Circulation
Shawn Cartwright and Yinong Chong, August 2008
Opening up the micro-cosmic orbit (Xiao Zhou Tian) is a significant milestone in Qigong practice. This requires an abundance of pure Yang Qi, acquired through hours of cultivation in stillness. Although there are really no short cuts in accumulating the necessary pure Yang Qi, there are various exercises that will facilitate unblocking the Ren (Conception, on the front) and Du (Governing, on the back) channel. Here we introduce you to one set of very short but effective Taoist exercises. These formerly secret exercises place special focus on opening the Ren and Du channels and connecting the two together.
The Six Supporting Circulation Set (Part 2)
4) Alligator Crawls around the Lake
Movement:
You can do this movement very well by simply observing how gecko,
lizard, or alligator crawl. Lie on you stomach on the floor, use your chest,
stomach and back muscle to support your body, and free up the hands and
legs. Now move hands and legs in coordination as if you are crawling like an
alligator. You may rest your head on the floor, or move it from side to
side. Arms and legs may touch and rum on the floor, so it is better to
use a mat or carpeted floor, and also protective clothes for the arms and
legs.
Benefits:
This exercise is to open up the Ren channel, the ocean of all Yin
meridians. It is extremely effective for strengthening all organ functions,
especially the liver and stomach. It also alleviates symptoms of menstrual
pain and constipation, and even shows considerable effects on infertility
and obesity.
5) Lion Cub Plays on the Ground
Movements:
Lie on the floor with whole body relaxed, hands behind the neck as if
you are going to do a sit-up, head slightly lift off the floor while the
heels touching the floor. Move the legs as if you are climbing stairs,
alternate the legs up and down, and shake your head from side to side. The
whole body remains relaxed, and the movements of legs and head are slow and
the breathing is long and deep.
Benefits:
This exercise works on the Du channel, the conjunctions of all Yang
meridians. Doing it often can help the Yang Qi rise, and activate and smooth
the Qi and blood circulation. It dissipates cold and dampness from the body,
and alleviates back and leg pains from rheumatoid arthritis. It also
improves the blood supply to the heart and brain.
Warning:
People who have long term issues with their spine, such as ALS, MS, bone
spur, or calcification in the bone – you may feel quite a bit pain at the
beginning. This is because the Qi and blood circulation greatly increased in
the back and spine, and leading to the Qi crushing into the blocked area –
this is a good outcome to be welcomed. Just pace yourself, do this exercise
slowly, and gradually increase the time without too much exertion. Also,
after finishing the exercise, you can lie on your stomach, and have someone
rub your spine from the neck to the tailbone, with extra massage to those
painful spots along the spine. This will help speed up the opening of the Du
channel.
6) The Red Phoenix Flies to the West
Movement:
a) Assume a sitting posture in Movement 1.
b) As you inhale, bring the Qi up the back (Du channel) to the top of the head. Pause for a moment and let the Qi rest there.
c) Exhale and let the Qi drop to the lower Dan Tian.
d) Do this movement up to six times.
e) Close the form by bringing the hands to the Dan Tian, dry washing the face, and patting the body.
Benefits:
Practicing this movement will help further clear the Ren and Du
channels. This will facilitate the true micro-cosmic orbit circulation when
it does open.
Warning:
Do not practice this movement alone for extended period of time without
doing movements 1-5 and cultivation in true stillness. If you do, you run
the risk of “burning an empty pot on the fire!”
This month we present the final three movements of the set. Last month we presented the first three movements.