Qigong Move of the Month: Tu Na for the Lungs
Shawn Cartwright October, 2008
Fall is the time of the year when lung organ energy is activated according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. That means now is a good time to do some Tu Na for the lungs. Tu Na is not a fish, but the Chinese term for breathing out the old and breathing in the new.
Exercise
Begin your meditation by finding a
comfortable place to sit or stand. If you stand, use the post standing
posture with your feet shoulder width apart and back straight. If you sit,
you may sit straight in a chair or in double lotus.
Look out into the horizon and recall you spirit. Let all you thoughts come back and slowly descend to the Tan Tien, the point just below your navel and inside the body.
Adjust your breathing by relaxing your chest and letting the breath sink to the Tan Tien. Slow the breathing down and let it become deeper, softer, and more even.
Now, visualize a clear, crisp autumn day. You are on a high mountain. A few wisps of white clouds are in the air. As you inhale deeply, imagine fresh clean, white air comes into your lungs. As you you exhale slowly, imagine all the toxins and pollutants in your body are expelled out.
Continue breathing in and out, cleansing the lungs. You may do this exercise as for up to 10 minutes.
When you are finished, bring your awareness back to your lower Tan Tien. Rub your hands together and close by patting the body from head to feet.
Benefits
This meditation is designed to benefit the
body by cleansing and strengthening the lungs and immune system. The fall
season is associated with the metal element and lungs in traditional
Chinese medicine, so now is a great time to practice.
This exercise is part of a complete Taoist Five Element meditation. A guided version is available on the Touched By the Tao CD.
