Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body Qigong
This introductory qigong set lays the foundation for the entire system, including relaxation meditation. Whether your interest lies in health, fitness, stress management or reaching high-performance goals, Energy Gates Qigong is a great practice for beginning and advanced practitioners alike.
The Dissolving process is applied to systematically and progressively work with the downwards flow of chi to:
- Ground and root your energy.
- Become aware of physical and energetic blockages inside your body.
- Clear any blockages you encounter, allowing you to let go and deeply relax.
Once you have dissolved any physical and energetic blockages—to the extent that you are able—you are ready to energise yourself with physical movements. Cloud Hands, one of five movements that comprise the Energy Gates set, roots the lower body in movement while Three Swings energise the three tantiens to loosen and open the physical body. The unique Energy Gates Spine Stretch—not found in any other exercise method of any kind—completes this powerful set by stretching the front and back of vertebrae.
Cloud Hands Qigong
The weight shift is the primary driver of Clouds Hands Qigong. In combination with turning and twisting, it elongates the muscles and stretches the fascia. Ongoing practice is meant to loosen the muscles off the bone to allow greater freedom of motion and dramatically reduce tension.
Cloud Hands Qigong provides an access portal to activating the kwa. The kwa is where whole-body motion becomes a possibility. This exercise is used to pump the blood stronger and drive production of interstitial and lymph fluids. Those who practice Cloud Hands Qigong do so as a powerful tool for opening and healing the body, and building health and vitality.
Energy Gates Spine Stretch
This unique spine stretch is used to gain access to each individual joint of the spine (pairs of vertebrae), whereby each is located and progressively loosened to free restricted or compromised joints. Those who practice this spine stretch use it to dramatically increase the suppleness and flexibility of their spine whilst strengthening the whole spinal column.
Since all nerve pathways originate from the cord inside the spine, enhancing the overall health of the spine can lead to deep relaxation and higher functioning of the body and mind.
The spine stretch also prepares the spine for the C-curve in Circling Hands, a key component of Heaven & Earth Qigong, which involves operating each of the joints of the spine equally and simultaneously for full effect.
Most practitioners I’ve observed since I started teaching tai chi and bagua in 1995 simply create three or four bends in their spine and don’t actually achieve the C-curve. Without the C-curve, you miss out on many potential benefits that could be yours for the same practice time.
—Paul Cavel
Upcoming Courses on Energy Gates Qigong with Senior Energy Arts Teacher Paul Cavel
19 May 2012 | Kentish Town, North London
Standing Qigong + the Outer Dissolving Method
15-16 September 2012 | Camden, West Central London
Standing + Sinking Chi + Dragon & Tiger Qigong, Movement 1
29 September 2012 | Camden, West Central London
Cloud Hands Qigong
24 November 2012 | Camden, West Central London
Qigong Fundamentals