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NOTE: This article is not about embryonic breathing. You can learn a technique very similar to embryonic breathing from Master Li Junfeng called: Union of Three Hearts (Zhongtian Yiqi).
This article is about a warm-up technique we use to get rid of all ailments in and around the neck. Also known as qi gong long neck exercises. The exercise will also be beneficial for the body metabolism as it will relax and heal the thyroid gland.Embryonic Breathing Simple Turtle Breathing for Warm-Up
Turtle Breathing This is a breathing technique that we use in order to prepare the neck and the superior torso. Many people breath using the chest muscles, and others with the abdomen. There is no problem with using these portions of the torso; however, there are much more fascial layers that can help us to respire more effectively. One of these layers is the segmentary of the neck and shoulders. Yes, we can also use our neck and shoulders to help us breathe well. This exercise will help us to ease the muscles around these areas and prepare the fasciae for a smoother qi flow. We will imagine a long, flexible neck like that of a turtle. A neck that can elongate infinitely up and down, backwards and forwards. We are trying to change our minds about the softness and the elasticity of our necks, and using our mind's eye is a good method to do that. Exercise 1 (Horizontal) Breath in and extend your neck backwards Breath out and extend your neck forwards Do not tilt your head. The movement is bi-directional, going only back and forwards. Exercise 2 (Vertical) Breath in and extend your neck upwards Breath out and extend your neck downwards Again the movement is bi-directional and we want only the neck to move. While doing both of the exercises try to sink your focus to your feet. This will ensure that you will not get dizzy. What is your limit? Do not force the movements, especially when going downwards in the second exercise. We want to be gentle to our bodies, and especially while warming up respect your limits. Some schools of body work require you to stretch and extend up to, or even surpass your limits. The rule-of-thumb that you can use to decide your limits in these exercises is about how happy you are with the movement. We want to be gentle with our bodies, which means that we want to be happy throughout the whole session. So, if you feel any pain or uneasiness with the movements that means you have surpassed your limit. Try to go 1 mm. before your limit, and when you do the next repetition try to change your mind about your limit, softening the tissue with your minds intent. Disclaimer: Exercises are informative only. Seek medical advice if you have health issues. Click the button below to see how you can learn Qì-Gong with us.
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