Strengthen Your Body and Mind: How Qigong Builds Physical and Mental Flexibility
“When Wood expresses feminine Yin energy, its color is emerald green and is symbolized by the flexible bamboo that gently bends with the wind.”
Finding Flexibility and Strength with the Wood Element
As I’ve maintained flexibility with the practice of yoga over the years, I’ve found that now more than ever I also need strength along with flexibility.The profound impact of qigong, particularly through the practice of the horse stance, Wuji stance, and the Hugging the Tree Stance is strengthening my lower body, hips, knees and ankles. Each of these postures offers a unique way to connect with the earth and embody the principles of strength and flexibility both physically and mentally.
The Wood Element: Connection to Spring and Nature
The wood element, associated with spring, governs the tendons, ligaments, and joints. In Qigong, we recognize that qi (energy) moves through our joints, and when our joints are open, the qi flows freely. However, a sedentary lifestyle can cause qi to stagnate in the joints, leading to stiffness and even arthritis. Practicing qigong daily helps to gently move stagnant qi out of the joints, promoting health and flexibility.
Strength and Flexibility in Nature
Nature offers beautiful examples of the balance between strength and flexibility. Consider bamboo, which grows tall and strong yet remains flexible due to its hollow structure. Similarly, a daffodil, with its deep-rooted bulb, withstands the wind with its geometric design, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
The Mind-Body Connection
In Qigong, physical postures like the Wuji stance, horse stance, and Hugging the Tree not only build strength and flexibility in the body but also in the mind. I often remind my students that the mind is constantly observing the body. When the body demonstrates strength and flexibility, the mind follows suit, becoming resilient and more adaptable.
The Horse Stance
The horse stance is much more challenging than the Wuji stance and demands a greater level of endurance and focus.
The Horse Stance: Sinking Into the Earth
One of my first and most impactful experiences in qigong was learning the horse stance. This stance involves pointing your toes outward, sinking your heels into the earth, and positioning your feet wide apart. As you extend your arms wide, you create a strong and stable base. The term for this sinking feeling is "Chen" (沉), which means to sink.
Wuji Stance
Builds a foundation of stillness and pure potential.
The Wuji Stance: The Foundation of Stillness
The Wuji stance, by contrast, is a more accessible starting point. In this stance, the feet are placed closer together, and the posture is more relaxed. It's a stance of pure potential and neutrality, offering a foundation of stillness from which other movements can emerge.
Hugging the Tree Stance
Balance of stability, and openness.
Hugging the Tree: Bridging Strength and Flexibility
Lately, I’ve been practicing another posture called Hugging the Tree. This stance is somewhere between the Wuji stance and the horse stance. The feet are closer together than in the horse stance, and the arms are positioned as if embracing a tree. This posture is an excellent way to challenge yourself in achieving a sense of rootedness and connection. It represents a balance of stability and openness, reflecting the wood element's teaching in the Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
A Journey from Yoga to Qigong
My personal practice began with yoga, where my natural flexibility made the postures feel easy. However, sitting still in meditation was another story. My mind would jump from thought to thought, never settling. When I discovered qigong, I fell in love with the fluid movement and the meditative state it induced while standing. It felt like a middle path where I could sense my connection to the ground and my love for nature, all while experiencing mobility and access to movement.
Embracing the Practice
Incorporating these practices into your daily routine can cultivate both physical and mental resilience. Whether you start with the foundational Wuji Stance, challenge yourself with the Horse Stance, or find a balanced beginning with Hugging the Tree, each posture connects you to the earth and the principles of the wood element.
By nurturing this connection, you create a harmonious balance of strength and flexibility, both in your body and mind, leading to a more grounded and centered life.
