Qigong for Health in the Summer Heat
Seasonal weather conditions can pose a negative influence on health. Qigong (chi kung) exercise can be supportive by adjusting your body to seasonal change. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), excess summer heat tends to affect the heart. Four Seasons Qigong is an ancient form of exercise designed to prepare the body for seasonal change based on Five Element Theory (wu xing) – a TCM treatment and diagnostic protocol. Qi is considered a vital life force loosely translated as energy. When Qi is obstructed health imbalances result. In Five Phase theory (fire, wood, water, earth, metal) the Fire phase corresponds to the heart. The Summer Qigong sequence conditions the lungs to vent and cool down heart fire. The key to this sequence is in breathing techniques and body posture. Observing the body’s natural ability to clear excess heart fire through laughter gives us a clue on how to apply preventative medicine and promote heart health. Laughter naturally causes a strong exhale to expel the excess rising feeling that is built up internally resulting in the “Ha Ha Ha” sound when laughing. Having fun promotes laughter and is the perfect natural remedy for ailments of the heart.
Try this Four Seasons Qigong movement: in a standing position with arms loosely by your side slowly lean forward about 30◦ to loosen your chest muscles. Inhale with emphasis on gently expanding the front side of the lungs. In a continuous motion lean backward to loosen the back muscles and exhale. Repeat 10 times and then reverse leaning back to inhale and leaning forward to exhale. Finally, repeat both directions with circular arms movements that resemble rowing a boot in sync with the forward and backward leaning movement. This will lead excess qi and heat away from the heart out toward the extremities.
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