Qigong: gentle exercise + meditation + trauma release

[Violet Magenta]

Qigong is like getting your exercise, meditation and some therapy all in one flow.

Daily qigong, even just 10 minutes, has seemed to help me. I started in January of this year, and have been able to release plenty of trauma. Phew. I find it has helped me get to know what I'm feeling in my body, to trust it, and now I really look forward to qigong most days. On a rough day I'll do at least a couple of sets, maybe bookending the day.

Here's a great one for grounding:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQH2Cj1g-xE

And here's one specifically for anxiety, trauma release and recovery -- I think of Rosemarie as the kind and wise grandmother I would have loved to have as a little girl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1WQw1L4Yek

[Violet Magenta]

Today I did David Beaudry's qigong set for Forgiveness, Healing Anger and Creating Boundaries -- it's another one I enjoy, though I did find myself sobbing in the middle of it one day last week. I took that as a sign that it's working! This time it was very enjoyable and I had some very nice releasing sensations, easing some neck pain. Here's the link in case anyone wants to try it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcK_Z0BzrKE

[Violet Magenta]

If you only have a few minutes, or if you want a quick introduction to qigong, this video by Jeff Chand is a good start. I find his gentle energy and humour calming, but also invigorating. He's also a physiotherapist and offers videos for specific kinds of pain and healing. This is the quick one I did today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMuHgj3FF_k

[Eidolon]

Awesome stuff, Violet Magenta! I just started doing qigong and tai chi by myself through videos, same kinds of responses you're having- lots of anger and crying, then a sense of relief. Thank you for this!

[Violet Magenta]

Here's another practice by David Beaudry that has become a favourite -- watch for the point where the Shoji screen falls over This one is about half an hour:

https://youtu.be/tOq-L3s8j7g

[Violet Magenta]

I only have time to share something quickly today -- I found this podcast really great, so some of you may find it useful. There is some discussion on healing trauma and anxiety at around the halfway point:

https://blog.sivanaspirit.com/secrets-medical-qigong-healing-movement-adaptogenic-herbal-morning-tonic-conversation-david-beaudry/

[Violet Magenta]

Shaolin five stances training in a great short video. I will be doing this one many times over the coming weeks, as it is challenging and strengthening. This is where qigong meets martial arts:

https://youtu.be/4ONoZbZJN1I

[Violet Magenta]

A gentle, meditative practice that takes only 10 minutes, standing, seated, or even in bed. I had a relentless headache this morning, and doing this session around noon eased the pain where ibuprofen failed. The fading of my headache surprised me, because I hadn't realized it was a tension headache. Now that I think about it, I can see where the tension arose -- I had a fairly intense flashback last night. Anyhow, this one is very easy; I'm hoping it helps others through difficult days:

https://youtu.be/uNLReAiKJZY

[Violet Magenta]

It has been just over a year of daily qigong for me. Has it helped? I think so. After doing the "Immortal Form" practice with David Beaudry this morning, I felt both "smoothed out" and energized. Here's the link for anyone who wants to try it:

https://youtu.be/OTFQy_3LNH8

Today I had a rough day, so by day's end, I needed to do Rosemary Biraghi's Trauma Release qigong set to stop feeling tingly and agitated: https://youtu.be/v1WQw1L4Yek

Then I had open 15-minute meditation, where I was able to access some of the edges and fragments below the waterline of my usual consciousness.

I feel like I'll be able to sleep.