Today's exploration to harness the power of the metal element is a guided Soaring Eagle Breathing and Qigong exercise.
Begin by standing with your feet about shoulder distance apart and your arms relaxed by the sides of your body.
If standing is not accessible for you,
You may wish to practice this seated in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Start to take slow deep breaths,
Noticing the rise and fall of your chest and rise and fall of your belly.
With your next breath in,
Bring your hands up above your head while allowing your arms to be relatively straight.
As your arms are straight,
Each one of them will make a half-circle motion as it raises from the sides of your body all the way to the point above your head.
As your hands approach the point above your head,
Let them cross so that the palms of your hands are facing each other.
Feel your lungs,
Ribs and belly expand with the movement of your arms as you breathe in,
Allowing this to be a sign that you are increasing the flexibility and resilience of your lungs.
On your exhale,
Let your arms slowly return to the sides of your body as each outstretched arm makes a half-circle motion downwards.
Pause for a moment at the bottom of your breath before starting the next one on your inhale.
Inhaling,
Letting your arms reach up,
Crossing above your head and then switching which hand goes in front.
Exhale,
Gently let the hands come down and release by the sides of your body.
If your right hand crosses in front of your left hand on your first inhale,
Try to allow your left hand to cross in front of your right hand on your second inhale.
As you continue breathing,
With each inhale,
Continue to alternate which hand crosses in front.
Throughout this practice,
Focus your mind on the sensations of each inhale and exhale.
As you inhale,
Pay attention to the feeling of the expansion of your lungs,
Ribs and belly.
As you exhale,
Feel your full body relaxing and letting go of any stress and anything else that no longer serves you.
Inhale,
Let your arms float above you as your lungs,
Ribs and belly expands while crossing your hands above your head and then as you exhale,
Let your arms gently float down as you release and let go of what no longer serves you.
The moment when your hands are above your head with the palms facing each other should correspond to the moment that your breath is at the top of your inhale at its fullest.
When you're at the top of your inhale with your hands above your head,
Try to breathe in as much air as comfortably as you can.
Inhale,
Allowing your arms to float above as your lungs,
Ribs and belly expand.
Exhale,
Letting your arms gently release down as you let go of what no longer serves you.
Continue like this for the next 10 breaths,
Following your own rhythm and your own pace.
You're welcome to continue this practice for as long as you wish.
If and when you wish to conclude this practice,
Gently release your arms down by the sides of your body,
Taking a moment for yourself,
Then place your palms one over the other,
Three fingers below your belly button on your lower elixir field,
Your dantian.
Allow the benefits of this practice to be received within you.
As you breathe in,
Feel your belly gently expand.
As you breathe out,
Let the healing from this practice spread within you.
Inhaling,
Feeling your belly gently expand.
Exhaling,
Feeling the benefits and healing from this practice spread even further within you.
Inhaling,
Feeling your belly gently expand.
And exhaling,
Allowing the healing and benefits from this practice to saturate your consciousness.
When you feel ready,
Gently and slowly release your palms.
Thank you for joining me for this Soaring Eagle Qigong Moving Meditation to let go of what no longer serves you.
I hope you bring this closure,
Clarity and calm with you into the rest of your day and the rest of your week.
