Where is my Qi?

What does western medicine call the general feeling we have in the body?

Some days we are excited or dull, energetic or lethargic, inspired or vague, scattered or focused.

‘Energy’ is the word we often generally use, but it doesn’t feel quite right. 

Where is ‘energy’ in the body?

‘Qi’ is the word that T.C.M uses

Often students search for Qi as if it is a mystical or magical thing to discover

Better to not try so hard!

Just start to notice sensation

Direct your awareness

Find and follow discomfort

Start to notice the difference between pain and discomfort

Pain is usually short and sharp - a message to stop what you are doing

Discomfort is an ache, a stiffness, a soreness

Both pain and discomfort are messengers

What is my body telling me today?

Explore the difference between intention and attention

Are our intentions and actions aligned, or is there a big gap between what we would like to do and how we actually spend our time?

Take it slow

Can we be a mirror, reflecting what is in front of us, rather than filtering, judging, censoring

What would our ‘choiceless’ awareness feel like?

Start moving Qi by moving your attention through the body

Notice how discomfort moves and changes as we shift our attention

The more we practice, the more we activate our body’s natural internal healing

Our practice helps us explore our habits – are they who we are, or simply what we have been and done in the past?

What will it take to establish a new practice habit?

To understand Qi we have to look to results

Once we have established our practice –

·      Are we happier? 

·      Are we lighter? 

·      Do we have less conflict in our life?

Our hormones (endocrine system) influence our moods? 

Is our Qi here?

Our nervous system sends messages and regulates cells in the body. 

Is our Qi here?

Our fascia (connective tissue) allows electrical impulses to travel through the body. 

Is our Qi here?

Qi is everywhere – you will find it and feel it when you stop looking so hard!