Written by:
Leah Wingenroth
Feel sluggish in the morning? Have difficulty keeping your energy up all day? Put that third cup of coffee down and shake the brain fog away instead.
Qigong is the study and practice of cultivating vital life-force through various techniques to help aid relaxation of the mind and energise the body through:
- Breathing techniques
- Postures
- Meditations
- Guided visualization
An aim of Qigong is to activate different acupuncture points and meridian lines throughout the body to allow a better flow of energy.
The goal of this practice is to correct imbalances and blockages in the body that have accumulated throughout a person's lifetime created through deep-seated emotions such as stress, anxiety and grief or trauma through injury, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Benefits of Qigong:
- Energises the body
- Boosts the immune system
- Relieves anxiety and stress
There are many Qigong practices but one of our favourites is ‘Wai Dan Qigong’ shaking. This simple body shaking practice helps to loosen up and relax the body allowing energy to flow around more freely.
How to practice Qigong shaking:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and arms relaxed
- While taking deep breaths from your diaphragm, Qigong encourages you to shake your body freely and gently, from the tips of your toes and fingers to the top of your head with your knees comfortably bent
- Bouncing on the balls of your feet, shaking out your wrists and ankles and rolling your neck and shoulders are all welcomed motions in Qigong shaking
After a few minutes of Qigong shaking, you will feel a tingling, energising warmth flowing throughout your body.
Try a Qigong shaking exercise first thing in the morning to add an extra boost of vitality and creativity to your day. To get the most out of your Qigong practice, pair your exercises with our Energy + Strength oil and tea blend or our Joint + Movement Support supplement
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