Yin Yang theory defines balance as two equal but opposite forces coming together for harmony. This series is about finding balance when under stress. Stress is fire-like (yang) which is opposite to relaxation which is water-like (yin) and complementary. When there’s too much fire we need to cool it down with water – too much stress requires relaxation to restore balance. What are you doing to promote balance, relieve stress and maximize your health?
In this 5 part series I want to introduce some simple concepts of meditation based on qigong (energy-work). As a beginner there are 3 components you must unify and regulate or practice controlling:
- Body
- Breath
- Mind
Regulating these components means to practice them until they become natural or until they occur habitually with the goal of finding a deep sense of relaxation individually. As a second and deeper stage you will learn to unify these components. Like the yin yang symbol we want to bring these 3 components in harmony together so they don’t over-control each other to engender balance within the body for health.
There are many practices to explore in regulating each component so if you find one practice difficult don’t give up. Keep searching for other forms to regulate these components until you find what works for you.
This article will focus on regulating the body. If you don’t have experience with meditation you may think that you have to sit with your legs crossed in what is called the lotus position to meditate. You don’t have to. There are goals for different postures that are beyond the scope of this article. The simple goal here is to find a deep sense of relaxation in the 3 individual components – body, breath and mind.
You need to feel comfortable and relaxed when meditating. Regulating the body is simple – find a posture that helps you feel completely relaxed. Some people have difficulty like pain and need to position their body in an unusual position for comfort which is ok as long as your breathing is not obstructed.
Laying down face-up is a good general posture to relax the body. You may want to tuck a pillow under your legs and head and grab a blanket to cover the body as long as it helps your body to relax. Placing the legs up higher than the torso allows excess blood to drain back towards the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated and recirculated which can feel rejuvenating to the body. Practice relaxing and regulating the body for 10 to 20 minutes each day.
You know you are benefiting your health if you feel more relaxed at the end of the practice.
In future articles we’ll talk about regulating the breathing and the mind and unifying these components for health. Check out this past article on promoting good posture which relates to regulating the body particularly when standing – https://natureshealing.info/posture/
Simple Meditation for Stress 1 of 5
Simple Meditation for Stress 2 of 5
Simple Meditation for Stress 3 of 5
Simple Meditation for Stress 4 of 5
Simple Meditation for Stress 5 of 5
