Standing Chi Kung, Part 2
For this next exercise, there will be six different hand/arm positions. All of the requirements for your alignment will be same as in the first article (Three Powers Standing Chi Kung). Briefly, they are:
--feet shoulder distance apart, knees unlocked
--shoulders hang naturally
--top of head pull up lightly (use your mind/intention, not physical force)
--coccyx (tailbone) relax downward
--tip of tongue touching roof of mouth
Stand comfortably and take a few deep breaths, breathing into your lower abdomen.
Hand Position #1: Guarding The Treasure
Place the palm of your hand over your navel (doesn’t matter which hand, though I use right hand usually). Place your other palm over the hand you have placed on your stomach.
Relax your body and hold this position for a few minutes, before moving into the next position.
Hand Position #2: The Monk Gazes Toward The Light
Bring both hands up, palms facing away from you, about 12-18 inches in front of your face.
Now turn your palms in toward you a little, forming a triangle. Your thumbs form the bottom of the triangle.
The center point of that triangle should line up with the Heavenly Eye point (Third Eye)
Relax and hold this position for a period of time before moving to the next one.
Hand Position #3: Holding the Moon
Allow your arms to drop downward, palms facing inward.
Relax your elbows and shoulders, and keep your hands separated about 4-6 inches.
Feel as if you are holding a large ball"”a hollow ball made of paper
Hold for some time before moving to next.
Hand Position #4: Monk Carries Water
Bring your hands down by your sides. Your palms face upward, as if you are holding a cup of water in each palm. Try to keep arms and shoulders relaxed as you hold this position. Your upward palms should not be in front of your body, but lined up with the side of your leg. Your middle finger should point toward you ITB (illlio-tibial band, muscle on side of leg). Hold for a period of time before moving on.
Hand Position #5: Jade Lion Stands Guard
Bring your hands forward, palms facing downward in front of your waist. Your hands should appear to be resting on a table top in front of you. While standing in this position, one feels as if one’s body is like a four-legged animal, hence the name of this posture. Hold for a period, before moving into the last posture.
Hand Posture #6: Guarding the Treasure (same as posture 1)
After holding these postures for a period of time, it is a good idea to do some self-massage to keep the chi from stagnating anywhere in the body. Here’s the ones we like to use:
1. Feet flat on floor, rotate the waist in big circles, in both directions. Try to make big circles with your waist and hips.
2. Feet together, hands on knees. Rotate the knees in circles, both directions. Then massage knees with hands, circular motion.
3. Lift your heels off the ground, alternating as if walking in place.
4. Make fists. Massage your lower back in circles, warming the kidney area.
After that, you can walk around a little, while swinging your arms. When you feel sufficiently relaxed and "tingly", you can return to other activities.
Notes while standing:
Stay aware of the sensations in your body. You’ll find that the arms may get a little tired or fatigued rather quickly. This is due to muscular tension and armoring. Feel as if your muscles are soft and completely relaxed. You may feel like a coat, hanging on a hanger. Keep training and you will be able to hold these postures for longer periods of time. You could set a small kitchen timer for a couple of minutes, and hold each posture. If you can build to 5 minutes in each of the six postures, that’s 30 minutes"”a very solid training. Build up to it gradually and your internal strength will gradually increase. The key is perseverance.
Standing Chi Kung, Part 2
Standing Chi Kung, Part 2
What we do in life, echoes in Eternity
