This is a replay of a live session showing you some easy Qigong stretching exercises, taught by myself, Dr. Janice Tucker. I have been teaching Qigong for two decades and am the founder of the Space To Relax Programme of Qigong video lessons. I’m also a practitioner of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. You can join my live classes on Zoom every Thursday at 4 pm Irish time. Click here to join us (lesson replays sent out by email in case you can’t make it).
These classes are free and everyone is welcome. However, if you’d like to contribute as a thank you for the class click here. 50% of donations will go to the ICU staff in my local hospital in Co. Kerry. The other 50% goes towards the upkeep of this website.
Easy Qigong Stretching Exercises – Introduction
This video shows you an easy Qigong stretching exercise. Qigong stretching is quite different from conventional stretching in that it is much more than physical exercise. Easy Qigong stretching incorporates movement but the mind and breath are equally important. Qigong stretching creates more length and space in the body which, in turn, allows for a more open, unobstructed flow of Qi and blood. This results in the body and mind coming back into their natural healthy balance.
Easy Qigong Stretching Exercises – Method
Begin with abdominal breathing to bring yourself into the Qigong state.
Neck tilts and turns.
Shoulder blade stretch – forwards and backwards.
Press palms and fists.
Twist to both sides.
Sideways bend.
Hamstring stretch.
Groin stretch.
Achille’s tendon stretch.
Vibrate the body.
Abdominal breathing to consolidate your practice.
Additional Video Resources
You’ll find a few other video class replays which also relate to this routine and can be combined with it if you wish to practice a longer Qigong routine.
Many other live lesson replays can be found on my blog page. I’d encourage you to take a look at some of them and find methods which you can easily combine with this one.
Click the image above to follow along with the Qigong class!
What Can I Do Next?
To sign up and attend the live online sessions please click here. Classes are free of charge and suitable if you’re a beginner or have more Qigong experience. Once you sign up I’ll send details to your email with links to the Zoom classes (check your junk/spam folders for notifications). Please share this information with your family and friends as everyone is more than welcome.
If you’d like to take your practice to the next level with my structured, step-by-step Space To Relax Qigong programme of 50 video lessons accompanied by audio and PDF files with support from me every step of the way then click here.
To get my free part video series of 3 Qigong lessons which will be delivered to you by email over the course of one week please click here. In these lessons you’ll learn more about abdominal breathing, Qi movement and how to rid waste Qi. This will help you to feel more relaxed and energised.
You can also click the red “subscribe” button to join my YouTube channel. That way, you won’t miss any future Qigong lessons from me.
Hip pain can take many forms. You may feel it in the front of the hip, the back (in the buttocks), on the side (femoral head) of the hip, travelling into the groin, close to the skin surface of deep within the joint. Wherever it is, and whatever the cause, it is generally a good idea to keep the area mobile in order to promote circulation to the area and speed healing (unless your pain restricts your movement completely). In this article you’ll learn some Qigong for hip pain and how to promote the flow of Qi through the hip area so that the pain is reduced.
Please head over to YouTube to 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.
Use a horse stance, standing with feet about 3 feet apart, knees flexed and pushed outwards over the toes (do not let the knees drop inwards). Place palms on knees. Incline trunk of body to left (men) or the right (women) with head slightly lowered and look at the foot. Raise body up, twisting into hips. Lower body back down and sweep whole of trunk across to the other side (think of top of head as a lighthouse beacon). Look at foot then raise body up, twisting into hips. Lower body back down and sweep across to the other side once more. Weight changes from one side to the other and hips are relaxed, following the movement. Knees are bent all the time – do not lock the knee. Maintain strength in legs but be relaxed in waist and trunk.
Finish the exercise by stepping together as palms turn to face the ground then placing one hand (right for women, left for men) flat over Dan Tian with the other hand on top. Circle a few times in one direction and then the other to seal in the Qi. Allow the hands to drop down by the sides of the body and observe any sensations or changes.
Take care if you suffer with high blood pressure or dizziness not to lower the head below waist level.
Exhale as you look at foot. Inhale as body is raised slightly. Exhale as you look at foot again. Inhale as body sweeps across to the other side.
2. Using the Breath to Release Negative Emotions
Use Abdominal Breathing to exhale the pain out through your nostrils. Visualise it as a balloon that you are letting go and see it floating up and away into the sky. You can learn this method from a previous video I made. It is a very useful method of Qigong for hip pain or any other type of pain. Click here to watch it.
Where Can I Learn More?
If you would like to learn even more benefits of Qigong for hip pain then:
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 Qigong methods. You can adapt all of these methods for the condition of hip pain, regardless of where you feel it.
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 you thought of the exercise in the video.
Join my free Facebook group, “Space To Relax Free Qigong 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.
If you do any kind of sport then the video on this page is just for you! If you find that you easily pick up injuries when training or simply want to avoid getting injured then Qigong can be of enormous benefit to you. An injury for any athlete can seriously set back your training schedule causing disappointment and frustration. The Qigong stretch in the video on this page will help to loosen out the lower back, hamstrings and groin area. This makes it a perfect Qigong stretch for athletes who wish to avoid injuries to these areas of the body.
Please go to my YouTube channel and click 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.
Why Bother Stretching?
Anyone who performs any type of sport realises the importance of stretching to warm up the muscles beforehand. Performing Qigong stretching in a mindful way, using the combination of movement, breath and your mind is the quickest way to do this. As a result you will be able to get out there and do your stuff without becoming injured!
A Qigong Stretch For Athletes To Loosen Hamstrings, Lower Back and Groin
This exercise is part of a method called the “Yi Tai Zhi Qi” stretches, the whole of which is taught in my Space To Relax membership programme of Qigong video lessons. It is aimed at releasing turbid Qi from the joints of the body and is the perfect one to do first thing in the morning to set you up for the day feeling energised but relaxed at the same time.
Each movement can be performed in multiples of 3, 6 or 9. Start with multiples of 3 and gradually build up the repetitions as you become stronger and if you have more time. As you stretch breathe out and as you relax and come back to your original position, breathe in.
Method
This is only part of the Yi Tai Stretching method but is the perfect Qigong stretch for athletes.
Feet twice shoulder width distance apart.
Stretch down from waist with hands to centre.
Stretch down to right and then stretch down to left.
Hold your toes with fingers and bring your head to one side then the other.
Bend your knees and scoop up the Qi in your hands as you come up. Turn your hands over when they reach knee level to push down the Qi and bring your palms to Dan Tian.
Hands slide round to lower back. Bend backwards.
Slowly come forwards from waist and repeat.
(Note: For those with high blood pressure do not allow the head to drop below the level of the waist).
Important Point to Note for This Qigong Stretch for Athletes
Remember to pay attention to your mind, body and breathing; that they are united together leading to the best results. With this exercise, perform it at the speed and regulation of Qi that suits you so that you don’t feel tired. This is different to physical exercise because the main thing here is that the Qi and blood are able to flow. Only secondly is this a physical exercise.
What Do I Do Next?
If you would like to learn more Qigong 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. These three lessons will show you just how easy it is to get started with Qigong. 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 Qigong methods, including the whole of the Yi Tai Zhi Qi stretching method.
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 your best methods of stretching.
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.
Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling stiff and inflexible in your body? If so then there is a simple Qigong stretch that you can do to help. The simple Qigong stretch in the video on this page will help to loosen out the shoulders, chest and upper back. It’s the perfect exercise to perform in the garden first thing in the morning!
Please don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the red “Subscribe” button above so you don’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.
Why Bother Stretching?
When we are sleeping at night our circulation of Qi and blood naturally slows down because we are moving less. Our muscles don’t require the same blood supply by night as they do by day. When we wake up in the morning it’s a good idea to warm up the body by stretching. Performing a simple Qigong stretch (such as the one in the video) in a mindful way, using the combination of movement, breath and your mind is the quickest way to “wake up” the body in the mornings. As a result you will feel awakened, enlivened and ready to face the day brimming with energy.
A Simple Qigong Stretch
This exercise is part of a method called the “Yi Tai Zhi Qi” stretches, the whole of which is taught in my Space To Relax membership programme of Qigong video lessons. It is aimed at releasing turbid Qi from the joints of the body. Follow along with the video to learn how a simple Qigong stretch like this is the perfect one to do first thing in the morning. It will set you up for the day feeling energised but relaxed at the same time.
Each movement can be performed in multiples of 3, 6 or 9. Start with multiples of 3 and gradually build up the repetitions as you become stronger and if you have more time. As you stretch breathe out and as you relax and come back to your original position, breathe in. Perform this exercise from the Qigong standing position.
Method
Open back bending forwards. (Note: caution not to let the head drop too low if you have high blood pressure) and breathe out.
Come back up to standing as you breathe in.
Open chest, arms extend to the sides as you breathe out.
Bring arms back to centre as you breathe in.
Important Points to Note for This Qigong Stretch
1. This technique especially benefits older people because it promotes Qi and blood circulation. When combined with stillness it promotes Qi and blood and expands mental function. As you get older lack of movement causes stiffness. This exercise is to help you stretch the stiff tendons a little and soften all the all the joints in your body. If you continue doing it, it becomes easier.
2. Remember to pay attention to mind, body and breathing; that they are united together leading to the best results. With this exercise, perform it at the speed and regulation of Qi that suits you so that you don’t feel tired. This is different to physical exercise because the main thing here is that the Qi and blood are able to flow. Only secondly is this a physical exercise.
What Do I Do Next?
If you would like to learn more Qigong 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. These three lessons will show you just how easy it is to get started with Qigong. 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 Qigong methods, including the whole of the Yi Tai Zhi Qi stretching method.
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 your best methods of stretching first thing in the morning.
3. Join my free Facebook group, “Space To Relax Free Qigong Group” and leave any comments or questions for me there. I’ll be happy to answer them. Also, by joining this group, you will see really useful tips about how to use Qigong to improve your state of health.
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