I’m sending you so much love and healing during this very strange and difficult time.

My personal hope is that, as a culture, this brings out the best in all of us.

Times like these truly allow for great pause to re-examine the situations and circumstances of our life.

Though things seem bleak, we still have much to be grateful for.

Having the opportunity to practice, for me, is the reminder that we have everything we need to remain calm, stable, and clear.

I heard Sharon Salzberg say something about how each time we practice we’re adding a drop of water to our well, and over time, the well becomes full.

That way, when we need it, the reserve is there.

As another teacher of mine said, “These are the moments we practice for.”

I feel that!

 

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I notice there is a special warmth in my heart knowing I am not in this alone, and neither are you.

We are sharing this experience together, as a nation, as a world, and as a sangha.

Thank you for being here.

Now let’s get into a nourishing practice I’ve been doing, that I invite you to experiment with if you feel called.

 

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I’ve always loved chi gong, and I started getting really consistent with it at the beginning of the year. It blew my mind when I realized how connected it is to yin yoga, which I’ve been teaching for over 9 years.


Chi gong is a 4000-year-old energy movement practice our ancestors passed along. 

It circulates blood without taxing the lungs, and is a great way to rebalance your whole being.

The Chinese character qi represents 3 things…

1. Mist.

2. Breath.

3. Giving.

And gong refers to how we work with our qi (energy) to bring it into balance.

 

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Chi gong is so simple, yet has a profound effect on the body and mind. It’s another form of self-care for me, offering my nervous system deep nourishment.

This practice has helped me become more of a healing presence for myself – and it has that effect on so many people I’ve spoken with.

Through our practices we can become more positive and have less drama in our lives.

Without unnecessary stress, our organs and nervous system can relax.

Our state of mind and health affect everyone around us. Through chi gong we stay nourished and balanced.

 

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My desire to up the ante with chi gong kind of surprised me, until I realized how connected it is to everything else I practice and teach.

Like yin yoga, which I’ve been teaching for over 9 years, chi gong has roots in daoism, and is a coordinated group of movements that involve the body, breath, and mind.

I’ve been doing a 10-minute routine every day since January 1st, and it’s been incredible to observe how such a simple practice has changed the way I feel in my body and mind.

 

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Today I’m sharing my routine with you, and some more musings on practice and study after the video.

A few important notes before you watch the video…

This is real! No makeup, and morning hair. 🙂

Please note that I am a chi gong amateur, and you should always check with your doctor before trying a new exercise routine.

I’m just sharing what’s been helpful for me – please follow along at your own risk.

I’m also a tech amateur – the video is sideways, so you’ll have the best experience if you lock the orientation on your smartphone to be vertical, and then prop it up horizontally.

That way you’ll be looking at the video straight on.

For the chest-opening exercise, a deep backbend is part of my personal practice, but please take it slow and do what’s best for you.

You should not feel any crunching in the lower back. And again, check with your healthcare professional if you have any doubts.

 

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Click here for my Morning Chi Gong Routine.

 

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The call to get back into chi gong was so strong that I felt a real desire to explore its origin and connections. So I started diving into the books.

I love the fact that this practice has deep roots.

I love that aspects of chi gong align with nature and the seasons, and specific organs of the body.

We are the human expression of nature, and this practice reminds me of that innate connection.

 

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With yin yoga, it was my own experience with my energetic body that got me interested in the practice. And it’s the same with chi gong. I always experience things for myself before sharing them.

I was surprised that a practice so quiet and still could hold so much power, and have such a strong effect.

For those of you who are yinsters – yin yoga practitioners – you know what I’m talking about. It’s that sparkly inner vibration after coming out of a pose.

And if you’ve never experienced yin, it’s a similar feeling to waking up after a restorative sleep.

Since yin yoga’s roots are in daoism, it’s also called daoist yoga.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Meridian Therapy are also connected to yin and chi gong.

As my study and practices deepen, I’ve been feeling an inner tug into TCM and the meridians, and how they relate to yoga and energy.

 

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I see a thread through all the practices I’m drawn to – meditation, yin yoga, chi gong, Traditional Chinese Medicine…



• they all have deep roots in a lineage   

• there is ritual and care involved

• they are more than just “physical exercise”

• there are coincidental aspects that connect them all

 
For instance, in meditation I always offer the instruction to lightly rest the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, behind the top teeth.

I was reading about chi gong and discovered that the microcosmic orbit meridian – which runs along the spine and front midline of the body – connects when you place the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth.

It’s like turning on an electrical switch that elevates and optimizes your energy flow and concentration.


Who knew?



I originally offered this meditation cue to keep students from feeling like they had to swallow during meditation, but really, it was about so much more.

Stuff like that adds a layer of WOW for me.

It’s literally all connected. And we know before we know.

Do you experience similar connections in your life?



What are you exploring and excited about these days?



I’d love to hear from you in the comments, and I hope you enjoy my 10-minute chi gong routine.

With love,
Michele