Hollistic Therapy For Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Wellbeing

Standing still, looking down at the swaying canal water, focusing on my breath, posture and the surrounding sounds of nature; through my peripheral vision, I see a man, also still, frozen in his track looking up at me.

Continuing my focus and preparing for the opening movements, I slowly rotate my neck and I glance over my right shoulder. Smiling, I nod at the elderly man who melts with a sigh of relief. He continues walking, smiling, and waves profusely at me.

With an inner grin, I slowly rotate my neck back to centre, feet hip width apart, in my Wushu stance, and with a series of standing meditation, I open my 5 Animal Qigong exercises. However, from what almost became a false alarm, I make a conscious decision to not get distracted, but find a way to at least acknowledge other boaters, and to avoid panic from persons walking by.

On-the-other-hand, I'm challenging myself by trying to remain focused and to improve my balance on top of a slightly rocking boat.

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The Perfect Setting For Meditation

Being in nature is the perfect setting for the meditative exercises that I practice. Moments of stillness amidst the swaying trees, cruising swans, flocks of birds, and fresh earthy air.

I've had to adjust my exercise routines since I started living on this tiny boat, and I'm still trying to find the right balance. However, the principles of my Qigong and Yoga teachings improves my discipline and self motivation which encourages my will to find a way.
After all, to overcome obstacles in life, we need to have a great level of determination, focus, and adaptability, all which help to keep me centred on days when practicing is just not possible.

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My introduction to Qigong

To be honest, I only heard about Qigong about 4 years ago.
I'm big on fitness, health and wellbeing, and would engage in activities such as pilates, vinyasa yoga, and aqua aerobics. However, I found that sometimes my body would feel off balanced, with racing thoughts and feelings of anxiousness. I did some research and all roads led me to Qigong (Chi Gung), a word I didn't know how to pronounce.
I immediately ordered a Qigong DVD on The Eight Brocades, a fairly popular style of Qigong, and I also completed an online diploma Qigong course.

It so happened that I had new neighbours (during my time living in the Philippines), a German couple, Pascal and Jessica. Pascal was an advanced Martial Arts practitioner in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Qigong, while Jessica was a much more advanced Yogi than myself, religiously practicing Ashtanga Yoga only.

All 3 of us clicked immediately, and she showed me possibilities I never knew existed in Yoga, while Pascal took me under his wings and told me that he also practices The 8 Silk Brocades, but thought I would benefit more from doing the 5-Animal Qigong, and I haven't looked back.

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Wudang Five Animal Qigong (Wu Xing Style)

What I love most about Qigong is that I need nothing but my presence and a focused mind to succeed.
Qigong promotes longevity, by opening blockages for energy flow throughout the body, and this 5-animal sequence is associated with the meridians in the body, and provides specific benefits for different organs.

• Dragon
• Tiger
• Leopard
• Snake
• Crane

N.B. Today my main focus is on the tiger, and the crane - the two movements that I've been using to improve my balance the most while practicing on top of a boat.

Dragon (Kidneys)

This dragon movement stretches the body and the twist activates the Kidneys. The result is that you feel more energetic and awakened. It also opens and stretches the shoulders (one of the main areas prone to lockage which blocks the flow of energy).

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Tiger (Lungs)

The tiger movement requires flexibility in the hips, something that was almost non-existent at the start of my practice. Overtime the muscles have developed, and this is one of my preferred movements of the sequence.

The tiger movement activates the lungs and improves breathing, which gives you more muscle strength and is good for the bones. It's very important to find a focal point and be present and active in mind to remain focus and keep your balance in order to match the breathing patterns to the movements.

Sitting on an invisible horse, I do the horse stance, with a crouching movement to that of a tiger. Breathing out, arms are extended forward with claws facing outward,

Rotate curved palms inward and breathe in, pulling the arms up to the shoulders, claws facing backward and hold the breath.

Hold the breath in

Rotate the palms forward, with fingers curved, and push arms down and outward behind the back, lifting the arms up as high as comfortable and breathe out.
Breathe in, and slowly move back to the Wushu stance.

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Leopard (Liver)

Increases vigor and strength, and provides a great side stretch and opens up the shoulders.

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Snake (Spleen)

I could easily say that the movement of the snake is the one which calls for most flexibility, and it's an excellent movement for the opening of the hips, which are the second most common place where we tend to have locked. With continuous practice, my hips should open up allowing a deeper squat and strength in the extended leg to be as low on the ground to resemble a crawling snake.

The snake exercise works to improve the health of our spleen, which activates our energy and gives us vitality, whilst giving a good side stretch of the body.

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Crane (Heart)

The world needs more open heartedness and less time for negative emotions such as hate..

Although the crane is one of my favourite movements, it took me some time to develop the courage of doing this one on top of the boat. On the first event, I made a good call by going onto the towpath for this movement because it was on a windy day. Still I noticed that I was fearful with my leg extension and forward bend.

I then decided to try doing this movement diagonally instead of folding over to look at the water. This has been working fine and I plan to continue with further practice.

The crane is a great balancing act, physically and mentally. It increases your focus and balance and improves flexibility, lightness and agility.

There is a reason why this is the last of the exercise routine, because the crane movement cools and relaxes your whole body, balances the energy in the heart, as it offers a gentle stretch for your ligaments and helps to release the spine.

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Qigong is for everyone

Qigong is one of my favourite me time rituals. For me, "me time" should be anytime and Qigong is something I would recommend open heartedly and confidently to anyone no matter your age, size, or health condition. There are many different types and styles of Qigong, and it can be practiced to suit all levels of fitness.
What I love most about Qigong is that nothing is required. I normally do it with a closed shoes for better balance, but have made an exception for on the boat.

With so much happening in the world, sometimes we lose our way and become overwhelmed. This can happen to the best of us, and I encourage everyone to spend time in green spaces of nature, and Qigong would be a great and fun way to have some quality me time, which definitely helps to bullet proof the mind.