Here is the complete movement of the 5 Element Tuning Qigong Sequence which we learn during our weekly webinars. Here they are kindly demonstrated by my friend, Rahel.
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Thank you so much for all those who attended the webinar this week! So here's a summary of what we covered.

The topic was  "How to Make Your own Medicine"

What did we learn?

• Reviewed the qigong for Kidneys & Lungs
• Began to learn about how to make our own inner medicine
• Metal Element of the 5 Element Tuning Qigong Set

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What is your inner medicine?
Qi is the inner medicine


What is Qi?

Qi is one of life’s many wonderful mysteries. It was a discovery that came from ancient China and has had far reaching influence on every aspect of Far Eastern culture. 

It exists and is intuitively sensed by each of us, yet escapes being pinned down by conceptual definitions, defies logical reasoning, and perplexes scientific investigation. It is a mysterious yet all encompassing phenomenon that has captured our imagination through the ages. I remembered seeing one of the first Star Wars movies and being completely spellbound when Obi Wan told Luke Skywalker to "Feel the Force."

There is no literal or simple definition of Qi, yet we all intuitively sense it. Trying to understand it literally is a bit like trying to hold onto water - it’s there and exists - yet you can’t actually grasp it.

Over the years I’ve come to know Qi by many things. My current exploration is the notion that  Qi is the relationship to all that is seen and unseen.

So it is OK to just leave the word Qi to be just so.


How do we experience Qi?

Qi isn’t a solid thing in itself but arises from the relationship that we establish with all the things within and around us. The more we become aware of our connection to these things the stronger our experience of Qi. So we can experience Qi in the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of our being. 

Some people say they experience certain sensations in their body, that they feel more grounded, or that they feel deep connection to all things around them. All are valid experiences and indicate that qi is at work, yet these experiences are not Qi itself.

Let's take wind as an analogy. So we only know that wind is blowing by the experiencing it on our face for instance, or through the rustling of the leaves - or the power of a storm! So these physical phenomena are not wind itself but indicate that wind is stirring.

What's most pertinent is that Qi can be cultivated for tangible benefits, particularly for health and wellbeing, through the practice of Qigong.


What is Qigong?

The gong part of Qigong means to cultivate or develop the skills - for working with Qi.

It’s often referred to as energy cultivation, Chinese calisthenics, Chinese yoga.

There are many types or styles of qigong in practice these days. To reflect their intended purpose they are traditionally categorised into three :

Medical, Martial, and Spiritual

I classify these three categories of qigong as applied to human :

​Health, Performance, and Evolution

Since health is the foundation of the other two, then we can say that all qigong practice has the purpose of improving our health. In my clinical practice this is the main emphasis.


Why do we practice Qigong?

A quote from a famous master of Tai Qi & Qigong, Cheng Man Ch'ing, sums it up :

“So that when you get to know life there will be some health left to enjoy it.”
- Cheng Man Ch’ing


What are the key skills that we develop through practicing Qi?

There are many skills that are developed through the practice of qigong.
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However there are three foundation skills that we need to develop in order to fully reap the benefits. These are :

• Discover qi
• Gather qi
• Circulate qi

This week we looked at how to Discover Qi.

I was trained the ‘old’ way, as an apprentice to a master of these arts, for about ten years. During this time he would show the forms and I followed, with the odd alignment here and there. This was how things were done, and it was how I learned for a long time. During this time I had to discover and understand what I was experiencing through deeper practice, study and research.

However I don’t think we need to wait for years to experience Qi and I discovered that I could show my patients how to experience and activate Qi in a fraction of the time. 


Why is it so important to discover Qi?

Well if qigong practice is to be differentiated from just a good physical exercise - which it definitely is - we need to be able to sense and activate Qi.

In developing the skill (gong) of discovering Qi, we can activate it within us. We can then learn to use it for improving our health and wellbeing.


How do we discover qi?

The energy of the universe is all around us so we don’t actually have to go looking for it. It’s simply a matter of being aware. This mean here and now we can begin to discover it.

We can do so by being still.

A posture to help us discover this is “Child Pays Homage to Buddha."

• ​Stand or sit with feet together, knees touching, feet on group
• Palms in prayer position, level with the Heart Chakra / CV17 point in midline
• Relax jaw, tongue gently touching upper palate
• Relax all the way from head to toe - feel the weight dropping into the earth
• Can hold this posture for between 30seconds to maximum 15 minutes. Please gently build up over time.
• Key is to note areas of tension and to relax them.

Practice the posture “Child Paying Homage to Buddha.”
Practice the Earth & Metal Element of the 5 Element Tuning Qigong

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NEXT WEBINAR IS ON WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY AT THE
NEW TIME 3PM
Topic : Making Your Own Inner Medicine 101

How to Develop the Skill (gong) of Gathering Qi
The 3rd and 4th Movement of the 5 Element Tuning Qigong.

​Congee is a deeply nourishing and delicious away of getting adequately and thoroughly hydrated. 

Any type of grain can be used to make congee. Good digestion is key for good immunity, production of blood, and hormones. In general we need grains for healthy functioning of the digestive process. The overconsumption of high gluten containing grains (primarily wheat and variants) is the main problem. The type of grain used affects the body in different ways. 

During my treatments and Care for Your Qi webinars I often encourage my patients/students to ensure adequate and thorough hydration as the beginning of successful recovery and good health. This extends beyond merely drinking water, though it is important to do so. Water has a cleansing function whereas deep hydration comes from consuming wet foods - porridges, stews, broths. 

I mainly use either short grain white rice (jasmine) or millet. Both are hydrating to the body and fortifying to the Spleen & Stomach organs. These are organs are very taxed in modern living and by improper consumption of food and drinks. Millet however nourishes the hormonal system. From this point of view it's a true super grain!

So here's a recipe, based upon the principles of Chinese herbal medicine, yet tastes far more yummy. 

Please remember when making congee that a little portion of grain goes a long way. 

Takes about 30-40minutes to make. I usually put this going first thing in the morning and get on with my morning qigong or meditation whilst my breakfast simmers. Then I enjoy a yummy breakfast with the rising sun and energised system.


Ingredients 
Millet  grain (organic if possible)
Salt (sea or pink)
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly boiled water
A source of protein (lentils, soya, beans, egg, meat, or fish)

For topping
Sliced thumb sized piece of ginger (with washed peel on if preferred)
Either spring onions or chives
Tamari (wheat free) soy sauce
​Toasted sesame oil (optional)

Variations / additions
Sea vegetables (dulse, wakame etc.)

Cooking instructions for 2 portions
Start boiling a full kettle of water
A handful / half cup of grain - washed through a fine strainer/sieve.