- Relax, breathe naturally, and let go. This is the most important aspect of your Qigong practice.
- Always practice abdominal breathing – when inhaling, your belly expands out, and when exhaling, your belly contracts in. Pay special attention to this.
- Breathing should always be “in through the nose, out through the nose”. It’s acceptable to breathe out through the mouth occassionally to expel excess heat from the body or excess energy in the head.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Nothing tight around the waist, you want to let your dantien (abdominal area) expand and contract without impedance.
- Do not practice on a full stomach, wait at least one hour after eating before you practice.
- Do not drink liquids for about 10-20 minutes after practicing. Your organs prefer a little rest before they go back to work. (you will likely get cramps by drinking immediately after practicing)
- Make sure your shoulders are constantly relaxed. Consciously relax them a few times during your practice to make sure they are relaxed as possible.
- Do not practice when you are too cold or too hot. If it’s winter and you’d like to practice outside, practice for short periods of time and make sure your skin is well protected from the cold.
- When practicing inside, crack a window in the room you are practicing. Remember, a primary source of Qi is from the air we breath.
- Make sure your tongue touches the roof of your mouth (behind the teeth) while praticing. This completes the “Microcosmic Orbit” energy circuit and will allow Qi to flow completely through your upper body.
- Do not practice Qigong if you are upset or overly emotional at the time. Focus on your breathing and wait to practice Qigong until you are feeling more balanced.
- Always strive to have a clear mind when practicing. Any thoughts that enter your mind, such as what you have to do later in the day, something someone said to you, etc….acknowledge them and let them go. Understand that during your practice you are connecting with the highest powers of the universe, and that you need to be in the moment for this special time so you don’t miss anything!
- Always make sure you stretch out before practicing and physically release any areas of tension in the body. Feel free to stop practicing and massage or stretch an area that is bothering you.
- If you feel any discomfort during practice, stop, massage the area and breathe. If the discomfort persists, stop and take note of what you were practicing. Typically discomfort comes from incorrect posture or incorrect breathing.
