Qi Gong (pronounced chi gong) is the ancient Chinese practice of activating the body’s energy, while working with your breath to calm the mind, and heal the body.

In this short video, I share with you basic Qi Gong warm up exercises you can do anywhere at any time of day. Use these exercises when you’re in need of a break or a quick pick me up.

This practice will also benefit you by:

• Reducing stress
• Opening the chest and diaphragm to increase oxygen
• Relieving anxiety
• Releasing tension
• Warming the body
• Calming the mind
• Connecting you to your peace

The final exercise in the video is first of nine exercise of the Tai Yu Shen Gong tradition, which originates from the Hua Shan Mountain in China. The exercise is named “Return Essence.” As the name implies, we return essence to ourselves by pumping energy up from Earth’s resource. From this exercise, we gather from the Earth element to nourish and support our Water element. When our foundation (earth) is stable and strong, we have the ability to flow freely and with ease (water).

While you practice Return Essence, I encourage you to imagine pumping the resources you need from the ground below you. See yourself receiving exactly what it is you need. Allow it to flow up and inward. 

I was introduced to the Tai Yu Shen Gong tradition by Master Yuen while in graduate school at Daoist Traditions College of Medical Arts in Asheville, NC. This tradition and practice is one that I rely on often to calm, soothe, reset and harmonize my body, mind, and spirit. I hope it serves you the same!