Qi-News

Moving in Stillness — Keeping the Rhythm of This Time

As we begin a new year, many people feel pressure to rush into goals and productivity. In Chinese Medicine, however, this season carries winter yin energy, inviting us to pause, slow down, and find moments of stillness.

It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere — a time of going inward.

Even if you are back to a regular work schedule, you can still create moments of rest and restoration to honor what is happening in nature. This helps you stay aligned with the season. Remember, the Fire Horse Year does not begin until later in February, so there is no need to push ahead too quickly.

🌱 The Power of Micro-Moments

Astrologically, we stand at a threshold - yet this season whispers; pause, root and let clarity rise from quiet. Move through your day with moments of heart coherence. No matter how busy you are, pause and check in with yourself. Take a moment to breathe through your heart and gently sense what you feel grateful for, or what you love about yourself.

That simple pause — paired with self-love — brings you home again.

Hello Healing Communi-Qi,

We focused on boosting immunity in our session. Qigong doesn’t use pills, it works with the natural wisdom inside your body. You may not have time for a full practice each day but integrating Qigong into your life doesn’t require hours of practice. Consistency is more important than duration.

As I shared, each morning I try to set up my intention for my day and do a gratitude bow along with blessing my water.

Here are two examples of what you can do if no time for full practice. I can share 100 day chart or you can join our what’s app group for those who want to try to open the channels in a deeper way.

* Simple Daily Routine (10 minutes):

• 5 minutes of Bouncing: To wake up your energy.

• 5 minutes of the Dolphin Movement: To open your spine and boost your immunity.

• A Moment of Gratitude: End by placing your hands on your lower abdomen, smiling, and feeling gratitude.

* Deeper Weekly Session (60 minutes):

• 5 minutes of Bouncing

• 20 minutes of 5 Elements

• 5 minutes of the Dolphin Movement

A cozy fall/winter practice to warm the body, calm the mind, and nourish your spirit.

☯️ Intention

In the colder months, energy naturally turns inward. This short flow helps you connect with warmth, softness, and gratitude — embodying the Danish concept of hygge: comfort, connection, and contentment.

🌬️ Preparation

Find a quiet, warm space. Light a candle, put on soft socks, and take a few deep breaths.

💫 Qigong Flow (5–10 minutes)

1. **Opening Breath (3x):** Stand with feet hip-width apart, hands resting at your lower belly. Inhale through your nose, feeling warmth rise. Exhale gently, letting your shoulders soften.

2. **Gathering Qi from the Earth:** Inhale as you scoop energy from the earth, bringing hands up the midline to the heart. Exhale as you press palms down, grounding your energy.

3. **Warming the Lower Dantian:** Rub your hands together until warm. Place them over your lower abdomen, circling clockwise. Visualize a golden light glowing in your core.

4. **Heart Opening Flow:** Inhale, open your arms wide like embracing warmth; exhale, bring hands to the heart, feeling gratitude.

5. **Kidney Rejuvenation (Bubbling Spring Point – KI1):** Gently tap or massage the soles of your feet, especially the center point below the ball of the foot. This awakens your vitality and grounds your energy.

Hello Healing Communi-Qi,

We spoke to the power of rituals in our week’s theme for qigong this week.

A ritual connects you to a wiser space, a rest for body and mind, a connection to something greater. September is a good time to connect to a new one.

It can be as simple as:

• cup of tea in silence

• walk in park noticing the trees

• deep breathing for a few minutes

• daydreaming while looking outside your window

It’s about learning to stay away from distractions and be in silence…it’s where our intuition comes forth.

We also have a Pisces total lunar eclipse today. See what happens in your life until September 21st.

It might be asking you to let go - eclipses signify endings and beginnings. Lean into creativity and daydreaming.

Clear what needs to be cleared. I plan to take one part of my living space each week and de-clutter.

And, always re-commit to self love and self care. It always matters. One question you can ask yourself: “Can you view the dance of light and dark within yourself and love yourself deeply?”

Or, as Meditation teacher, Tara Brach asks in this podcast, "Who would you be if you didn't believe something was wrong.”

I’ll write it again: “Who would you be if you didn’t believe something was wrong.” Here’s the podcast shared by member Sarah James.

Together, as Love Radiators, in Healing Movement Medicine

Moving with the change

As we move into the heart of August, we are invited to pause and tune in. This is a month of transition—a subtle shift where the outward, expressive fire energy of summer begins its gentle turn inward, preparing us for the more introspective season ahead.

In Chinese medicine, August holds a unique place. It may still feel like summer with its warm temperatures and outward activity, but energetically, the shift toward autumn begins around August 7. This is when yin energy begins to grow, and the earth element starts anchoring us, drawing energy down to the roots, both in nature and within ourselves.

🌱 The Power of Seasonal Alignment

August is a call to balance. Just as the yang energy of summer begins its shift toward yin, we too are asked to slow down and harmonize with nature’s rhythms. Master Chunyi Lin of Spring Forest Qigong reminds us that:

“August is a month we might not think it is. The days are hot, but the energy is shifting—moving from outward to inward. It’s time to support your body’s transition and prepare for fall.”

To do this, we can work gently with energy, incorporating nourishing and grounding practices.

🌿 Qigong Tools for Late Summer

One of my favourite late summer practices is the cupping of the head from Spring Forest Qigong. This simple technique is deeply calming and helps clear away anxiety, overthinking, and restlessness—common imbalances as energy begins to descend.

Here's how you do it:

1. Relax your shoulders and sit or stand comfortably.

2. Gently cup your hands and softly tap all around your head—temples, back of the skull, top of the head.

3. Move slowly, staying present with the sensation.

4. Finish with a few deep belly breaths.

This helps regulate energy in the head and supports the natural turning inward of the season.