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Chi, Prana in India, Ki in Japan, bioelectricity in the West, is the natural force that fills the universe.
Chi can be found anywhere : in the Heavens, in the Earth, in every living thing.
Chi is the life force in the human body and mind. We need this energy in order to activate every functions of our body. We take it from the food, the water, the sun and the air.
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What is Chi Kung ?
Chi Kung is the art of using and controlling the life energy (or Chi) that flows in our body through meridians and channels.
In our modern life, the flow of energy in our body is weakened by ignorance, stress, poor diet, fatigue, depression, inactivity, pollution.
Chi Kung seeks to reeducate the body and the mind through exercise and self- exploration.
Principles
| Focus |
Try to involve your whole self, mind and body, in every session of Chi- Kung. Focus on your practice and your sensations. |
| Breath |
Practice outside (near a waterfall, in a forest, in a garden), where you can get plenty of fresh air and Chi. |
| Practice in cool weather |
Do not practice in cold or hot weather, in a windy place or during thunderstorms. |
| Be silent |
Try not to speak during your practice and until 30 minutes after it. Keep your energy for more important internal uses. |
| Feel light |
Do not practice on a full stomach. Wait at least 30 minutes after a light meal. Up to 2 hours after a big one. |
| Be serene |
Do not practice if you are emotionally upset. |
| Feel comfortable |
It is best to wear comfortable, lose- fitting clothes and to practice bare- foot or in light shoes with no heels. Remove watches, bracelets and belts because even the slightest pressure against the skin can obstruct energy flow. |
| Be patient |
Remain confident in your practice but do not rush into it. Be patient. |
| Have a healthy diet |
Regulate your diet in order to provide the best possible fuel for your internal alchemy. Avoid especially refined sugar, deep- fried foods, dairy products and pork. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. |
| Empty bladder |
Try to urinate before practice if you need but not immediately after. The fluids in the bladder help to collect and store energy, so it is better to wait at least 20 minutes after a session. |
Posture
Most of the standing Chi Kung exercises are performed in the Horse Stance :
- Feet are shoulder- width apart.
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Weight is evenly distributed.
- The knees are unlocked and slightly bent.
- The pelvis is tucked forward in order to keep the spine straight.
- The chest is loose.
- The spine is straight.
- The shoulders are relaxed. You let them drop. This helps relax the chest.
- The elbows are slightly bent and your arms hand loosely down the sides.
- The wrists are totally relaxed and the hands should hang loosely without any tension in the fingers.
- Keep the head suspended as if it were hanging by a string attached to the crown.
- Tuck the chin slightly in toward the throat.
- Lips and jaws are closed and relaxed.
- The tip of the tongue is slightly pressed against the upper palate, behind the front upper teeth. This forms a bridge of energy between the head and the chest and also stimulates saliva, wich is good for digestion and should be swallowed.
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Basics