Out of your head, into your body: Qigong for stress
Too much stimulation. A mind that just keeps going. You know you need rest, but the moment you sit down, the thinking really starts. Sound familiar? Then moving may be a better way in than sitting still.
Why sitting still doesn’t always work
Many people try to find calm through meditation and get stuck. Understandably so: when your head is full, sitting still with your thoughts is quite hard. Qigong works the other way round. You start with your body. By moving slowly and keeping your attention on your breath and your feet, your head naturally gets less room.
Participants sometimes call it a workout for the mind. It doesn’t feel like a chore, but like a moment to land.
What happens when you move slowly
Moving slowly and attentively asks for your full attention, in a gentle way. Your breathing becomes calmer and deeper. Tension in your shoulders, neck and jaw can let go. After a class, many people notice they are less in their head and more in their body.
It isn’t a miracle cure, and it doesn’t replace professional care if you’re really struggling. But as a fixed moment in your week, it can make a big difference.
A five-minute exercise
- Stand firmly. Feet hip-width apart, knees soft, arms relaxed by your sides.
- Feel your feet. Bring your attention to the soles of your feet. Where do you feel your weight?
- Breathe in and lift. On a calm in-breath, let your arms float slowly up in front of you to shoulder height.
- Breathe out and sink. On the out-breath, let your arms lower again and bend your knees ever so slightly.
- Repeat. Do this ten times, at the pace of your own breath. Finish by standing still for a moment and noticing how you feel.
There’s no right or wrong. You can’t get it wrong, only differently.
Regularity makes the difference
Once is lovely, but the real effect lies in repetition. The more often you practise, the faster your body learns to relax. That’s why I work with weekly classes and a monthly online membership: so it becomes a fixed point of calm in your week.
Fancy a moment to land every week? Join the live online classes, or come to a free trial class.
