Qigong Circles Exercise For Qi (Energy) Circulation

In this short guided Qigong video lesson, you will learn a simple "Circles" exercise in order to create the conditions for smooth and unobstructed flow of Qi (energy) in the body in all four directions (up, down, in and out). When Qi flows smoothly, the body naturally returns to a healthy and harmonious state. This short exercise can help revitalise the body and settle a busy mind, leaving you feeling refreshed and calm.

Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It combines breathwork, mind focus, and simple movements to create the conditions for the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body and mind.

Transcript

This exercise is called the circles exercise or its correct name in Qigong is called open to the multitude of wonders which is really poetic and the multitude of wonders would be all the energy of the environment. So for this exercise just placing one hand on top of the other and just checking your stance just to make sure that your feet are shoulder width distance apart and you feel kind of nice and stable and balanced. And then just drawing the hands apart. Nice and slowly. And then as you lift the hands trying to keep the shoulders down. And just very slightly as you come up just elevating your body, Standing up tall but not locking out the knees. So gathering in energy from the outside through the hands, Through the fingertips. And then as the hands come to head level. Just bringing the palms to face each other. And then as they reach the centre Then begin to sink the weight. Drawing the arms down by moving the shoulders first. The hands follow. And thinking here of drawing all that energy from the outside. Into the lower abdomen area. Which is the engine. Of all your energy in the body. And then one more time. So remembering us, You. Lift the arms up. Your body straightens slightly. Keeping the shoulders down. And being aware at this point of anything you feel in the hands. And then as you make the V shape. Like a roof with your palms. Bringing the palms together. Sinking down very slightly by bending the knees and drawing that energy you've just gathered. All the way down through the body. Into the lower abdomen. And one more circle. Now coming up slightly in the body. Really staying nice and relaxed in the shoulders though. Don't allow any tension to creep into the shoulders, Keep length in the back of the neck. And then sinking. Drawing the energy. Into the abdomen. And then just placing one hand on top of the other over the lower abdominal area. And circling first in one direction. And then in the other. Just finish off. And allowing your hands to drop down by your sides. So this exercise is extremely energizing. It's really good if your hands are cold because it will bring much more energy into your hands, Much more circulation into that area and help to keep you nice and warm. It's a great exercise to practice any time of the day, Just for a couple of minutes if you feel a little bit tired, If you feel exhausted and overwhelmed with so many things to do during the day. So you can slot it in whenever you have a spare couple of minutes here and there. And it's a great one to do first thing in the morning or in the middle of a walk if you want to have a pause when you're out walking and do a little bit of this exercise. It's extremely good to practice if you're outside in nature to be able to gather in some of that energy to use it to really benefit your own energy levels. So that completes the circles exercise and I really hope you enjoyed that and enjoy practicing it in the future.