winter robinson| michael robinson

"ch'i kung for centering. . ."

to begin to discover who we are, we must understand what we are . . .

This exercise is adapted from QiGong for Health by Masaru Takahashi & Stephen Brown

To sense ch'i, we must surrender to it. To direct it we must trust the wisdom of the body. Ch'i integrates our body's various ecosystems which, when allowed, are so intricately balanced that when illness strikes, nature's healing powers form a united combative force.

We all sense ch'i. We might not acknowledge it, but it speaks to us when we have a cold, are depressed, or when we are feeling energized. It flows when we exercise, pay attention to what we eat, and when we enjoy the company of others.

This Ch'i Kung exercise is for relaxation. Being able to relax is essential if we are to access intuitive information, for ourselves or for others. With practice, you will find that after doing this exercise a few times you will be able to think 'relax, center,' and you will be there.

One of the key features in any exercise, Ch'i Kung or otherwise, is preparation. Drink enough water before practice so that you do not have a thirst, and likewise, go to the restroom if necessary before starting. If you are wearing glasses, remove them. Loosen all tight clothing, belts, watches, shoes. Turn off the telephone. Set aside all concerns and worries.

Lie down. Starting at the top of your head, hold your attention on one part of your body as you inhale and allow this part to relax as you exhale.

Slowly inhale through your nose and imagine that your breath is being drawn down into your lower abdomen. Your lower abdomen should fill out naturally when you do this.
Let your tongue down and open your mouth slightly and exhale slowly. You can exhale through your nose and your mouth simultaneously. Your lower abdomen should go in naturally.
After exhaling completely, let your breathing pause briefly in a natural way. Leave you tongue down and your mouth slightly open. Your abdomen should also remain slightly collapsed.

Slowly inhale through the nose, exhale through the nose and mouth, and pause momentarily before inhaling through the nose again. Once you become accustomed to this method of breathing, begin practicing it while saying to yourself your, "I am calm, I am relaxed, I am intuitive, I sense energy," Silently repeat the words to yourself in time with your breathing and the movement of your mouth and tongue. This technique flows as follows:

Close your mouth lightly and touch the tip of your tongue on the roof of our mouth (behind the front teeth) and slowly inhale through your nose. While breathing in, feel your breath being drawn down into your lower abdomen and think to yourself, "I am."
Let your tongue down and your mouth open slightly. Exhale slowly and allow your abdomen to go in naturally as you think the word "intuitive". . .

(exhale completely, let your breathing pause naturally and keep your mouth and tongue as well as your lower abdomen relaxed and in the same position) continue to think . . ."and relaxed" while your breathing is paused momentarily.

Continue breathing and repeating your affirmation in this way for the duration of your practice period.

Do not stand up all of a sudden.

Slowly open your eyes and place the palms of your hands on your forehead.
Close your eyes and gently rub over your face with the palms of your hands.
Massage the back of your neck using both hands.
Stand up slowly.
Shift your weight onto one leg and briskly move your arms and legs back and forth to cause a shaking motion.
Stand up on your toes and drop back down onto your heels. Repeat this movement several times.