Nourish Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
During these long, sun-filled days of summer, I’m delighted to share a practice that helps us reconnect with another kind of sunshine—the radiant life force energy that lives within each of us.
This 30-minute qigong practice—custom-created for Quest for Eternal Sunshine by internationally renowned qigong master Lee Holden—was professionally filmed in his studio. It’s an excellent introduction to this ancient magical practice, as well as a wonderful routine for long-time practitioners.
Through breathwork, energy activation, stretching, flowing movements, and guided meditation, this routine offers the opportunity to experience how effectively qigong can help release tension from your body and mind, leaving you relaxed and invigorated at the same time.
“Qi” means life force energy, and “gong” means to work with that energy. Lee starts off the video by explaining that what makes qigong routines very different from other forms of exercise is that the internal energy it cultivates addresses the physical fitness of your body, your emotional health, your mental stability, and your divine connection. “It is all related and that’s the beauty of qigong,” Lee says. “It’s an integrative exercise. It’s qi fitness, which means that it’s the fitness of all of you put together in a harmonious way.”
Lee Holden practices qigong
In addition to being a qigong teacher, Lee is a Chinese medical doctor and licensed acupuncturist, so sprinkled throughout the video, you will hear him refer to the meridians that are being opened by certain movements, which stimulate your body’s natural self-healing abilities.
Please remember that while practicing qigong, the intention is to move in a way that is kind and responsive to our bodies. Never push through pain or ignore difficult sensations. If anything doesn’t feel good, try slowing down, modifying the movement, or skipping it entirely.
I hope you enjoy this routine, and that it leaves you feeling nourished, uplifted, and more deeply connected to your own inner sunshine.
Learn more about qigong here!
