Unbusy Living: The Qigong Way

There’s no debate that we’re living in a crazy, fast-paced society these days. Often people will say to me, I know you’re busy or, you look really busy… and I say — actually, not really no.

Busyness doesn’t feel good to me so I’ve intentionally created and designed my life so that I’m rarely busy. Of course I have days when I’m engrossed and fully engaged in my work, or enjoying time with my loved ones, or in my creative pursuits, but I’m not busy.

Sometimes I still have a little voice creep in questioning — should I be more busy?

Any wonder we’re stressed…

Back-to-back scheduling, running from one thing to the next, having a long to-do list each day simply doesn’t agree with me. It’s not a healthy environment for my nervous system, I find it more difficult to emotionally regulate and it creates anxiety for me.

The reality is that there’s a frenetic energy that infiltrates our lives, it seeps in from the fast-paced norms of our modern society. There’s a habitual aversion to slowing down which is reinforced by the constant pursuit of productivity and efficiency over the profound benefits of presence and being-ness.

If we’re not aware of it, this hectic, ultra-yang energy spills over and affects every facet of our lives. One of the most common challenges I see in people who are starting out on their Qigong journey is the reluctance to embrace a slower pace. Many new students experience difficulty in attaining a sense of presence during the practice, they struggle to fully engage with the movements and connect with the sensations in their physical, mental, and emotional realms.

The art of balancing Yin and Yang

Qigong offers us an antidote to the overwhelming pressures of living in this world. Its gentle yet potent practices offer a sacred space to reconnect with the rhythm of our breath, the sensations of our body, and the whispers of our spirit. Through Qigong, we can find harmony — it’s what we came here to do! The earthly realm requires us to find balance between the polarities of action and stillness — yin and yang.

If you’re feeling stressed, tense, overwhelmed and unsatisfied with life you have to ask yourself — is this the life you truly desire to lead? If you find yourselves grappling with chronic or lifestyle-related illnesses, enduring persistent symptoms of discomfort; experiencing sleepless nights, and enduring daily pain and suffering, it might be time for a change, a big change.

In a state of perpetual tension, true healing eludes us. When we opt for change and actively reclaim a state of ease and presence in our lives, we naturally invite greater well-being, vitality, and healing. This recognition is echoed by both Oriental Medicine and modern allopathic medicine, pinpointing this as the fundamental root cause of all dis-ease.

One common observation I make among participants attending my Discover Qigong workshops and sessions is their tendency to overcomplicate what they need to do to make changes. Awareness marks the initial step towards transformation, so first up noticing that life is hectic and unfulfilling is huge. Sometimes we have to keep noticing, again and again that we’re not that happy…

At some stage, we'll be prepared to take another step forward. In the context of Qigong, I always recommend keeping things simple and, most importantly, achievable. A brief daily practice, or several times a week, for 5 to 10 minutes—perhaps a bit longer if it won't add to the chaos of your life—is ideal.

I have heard that in ancient times there were so called Spiritual Beings:

They stood between Heaven and Earth, connecting to the Universe;

They understood and were able to control both Yin and Yang, the two fundamental principles of nature;

The inhaled the vital essence of life;

They remained unmoving in their spirit;

Their muscles and flesh were as one —

This is the Dao, the Way you are looking for.

— the opening section of the oldest and most influential book in Chinese medicine

Boring is being

One of the core, most powerful, and profound practices of Qigong is found in the tradition of Zhan Zhuang. Translated to mean standing like a stake or standing like a tree.

The practice of Zhan Zhuang entails quite literally standing upright. It involves adopting a specific posture that aligns the body, consciously aligning the musculoskeletal system. Then, you merely stand and observe the sensations of standing. Throughout this practice, you maintain full awareness, making subtle, gradual adjustments to your posture and alignment as needed.

Pretty boring, right? Yes! If your mind tells you it’s boring you’re doing it right.

In many traditional schools this is the practice that a student starts out with… every day that they come to Qigong they stand. Day after day, after day, for six months, or a year! Imagine. 😂

Qigong is remarkably straightforward and incredibly potent in its healing capabilities. However, the manner in which we lead our lives and our daily habits often obstruct us from accessing our inherent birthright—the profound joy of living.

By dedicating just 5 minutes each day to standing intentionally, persistently, and deliberately, you've not only incorporated Qigong into your routine but also initiated a profound shift towards a slower and healthier lifestyle. This simple act cultivates a habit of self-care and devotion, promoting mental clarity, physical vitality, and emotional well-being.

I make the choice to live my life more slowly, I choose to live my life in harmony with the principles of Qigong, which fundamentally embody practices that nurture life. The positive feedback I receive from individuals and students regarding my classes, programs, and Qigong offerings stem directly from the way I choose to lead my life. After all, one cannot effectively teach what one does not personally understand and embody.

Occasionally, students enrolled in my Qigong Teacher Training programs encounter challenges in dedicating time to study and practice the art of Qigong. It's a fundamental truth that one cannot effectively impart knowledge they haven't fully embodied themselves. While a student may grasp the physical movements or forms, they may lack comprehension of the subtle energy that underlies them—the essence of Qigong's depth.

For me, Qigong was the gateway to a more balanced and fulfilled life. I had no idea when I first started that it would profoundly change my way of being, nor did I realise it would become my personal passion, vocation and contribution to the world. The smallest changes can lead to incredible transformations in our life.

Ready to begin a Qigong practice? How about simply standing!

There’s a live online Zhan Zhuang — Standing Qigong masterclass on Sunday March 3rd, 2024, details here.