Do you have any issues with circulation of blood or lymph in your body? You’ll know if you do as you may experience symptoms of cold hands and feet, fluid accumulation and a weakened immune system for example. In this article and video you’ll learn how to use Qigong for lymphatic drainage and to help improve the circulation of blood throughout your body so that you can more efficiently nourish all your tissues and organs, remove toxins and fight disease.
Janice Tucker is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medical Qigong. She is also the founder of the Space To Relax online programme of Qigong video lessons.
Please don’t forget to do to YouTube and subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the red “Subscribe” button. That way you won’t miss my regular videos which are full of useful health enhancing tips. These videos will help you to enhance your health and prevent illness from arising in the first place. Also please give this video a “Like” if you found it informative.
The Role of the Lymphatic System
It wasn’t until recently that the lymphatic system was given attention or well understood in terms of Western medicine. However, in Asia, even though the lymphatic function itself was unknown, its effects were generally thought to be due to the action of Qi (energy) and fluids.
The lymph system is made up of a network of vessels that transport fluid throughout our bodies. Lymphatic fluid flushes debris (such as viruses, bacteria and cancer cells) away from the fluid that bathes the body’s cells. In this way our lymphatic system is related to the power of our immune system.
Qigong for Lymphatic Drainage
There are many simple things we can do to enhance lymphatic function. This, in turn, will help strengthen our immune system and thereby our resistance to disease.
The role of breath, movement and posture in Qigong exercises all have specific effects on the production and circulation of the lymph.
1. Breathing
Our breathing powers the flow of the cleansing lymphatic fluid through the lymph system. Lymphatic flow is increased by the deeper breathing we do when we exercise. Therefore Abdominal Breathing, which makes greater use of the diaphragm, acts to circulate lymph much more efficiently through the abdominal and thoracic area than the more shallow “chest” breathing which most people do. For a previous video on Abdominal Breathing click here.
2. Movement
When we exercise, the flow of lymph into our circulation can increase by 10-15%. Any Qigong exercise involving movement of the muscles will help improve lymph function throughout the body. Those exercises which especially involve movement of the upper body exercise are important in the lymphatic cleansing of the breasts. Muscular movement in the arms, armpits and chest causes the lymphatic fluid to flow efficiently in order to rid the breast area of toxic debris. The circles exercise which is part of my series of free Qigong video lessons (see below) is a good example of a Qigong for lymphatic drainage method. Another method to increase the drainage of lymph and flow of Qi in the chest and upper arms is in a previous video called “A Simple Qigong Stretch“:
3. Posture
Any inversion of the limbs or even a lying down body position allows for a free flow of lymph unencumbered by the effects of gravity. Elevation of the lower limbs is often prescribed for health problems characterised by a pooling of fluids. Just lying on the floor with your legs straight up the wall is a fantastic posture to help with circulation of lymph.
4. Previous Related Videos
To Improve Circulation of Blood: Qigong for Cold Hands
Enhancing the Function of The Immune System: Qigong for Immunity
A 2 Minute Method to Discharge Waste Qi: Qigong for Cleansing
Using Arms and Chest To Drain Lymph: Qigong for Beginners.
Where Can I Learn More?
If you would like to learn even more benefits of Qigong for lymphatic drainage then:
1. Head over to my Space To Relax homepage. There you can sign up for a free 3 part video series of Qigong lessons. Once you’ve completed the free series you’ll have the opportunity to join my Space To Relax online membership programme of Qigong video lessons. This will allow you to take your practice to a whole new level where you will learn many exercises to eliminate health issues before they become a major problem. I’ll guide you step by step through many more effective methods, all which aid lymphatic drainage.
2. Subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the red “Subscribe” button. That way you won’t miss my regular videos which are full of useful health enhancing tips. Also please give this video a “Like” and share with me in the comments box what your kids thought of the two methods in the video.
3. Join my free Facebook group, “Space To Relax Free Group” and leave any comments or questions for me there. I’ll be happy to answer them. Also, by joining this group, you will receive regular posts of Qigong articles and videos with really useful tips about how to use Qigong to improve your state of health.
