What is spiritual growth? Is it an increase in one's ability to perform good deeds? Is it being able to sit in meditation for long periods of time or perform harder yoga postures with greater awareness? Is it improving one’s ability to do things we don’t like while remaining serene and with a smile? There are probably as many different interpretations of what spiritual growth is as there are practices to bring it about. For the purposes of this article, we are going to define spiritual growth as the process of expanding ones’ consciousness of the nature of reality, along with a cultivation of certain qualities.

Progressing in qigong, as with any undertaking, will be far faster and more enjoyable with a sense of purpose and an understanding of the process. A good analogy for this is driving a car. With no clear sense of destination, you risk getting lost and eventually running out of gas. With no clear understanding of the road conditions you could damage your car or even put yourself at risk. So when it comes to qigong, learning the correct approach to practice is paramount. A good teacher …

Before we are able to take the first step on the path to self-healing, we must create an environment and space (both externally and internally) to support our inner journey. This topic naturally follows on from the previous blog and vlog - ‘The Role of the Nervous System in Healing’ – which discusses the essential role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System in the healing process. Make sure you read that article before this one.

The six fundamental levels of Daoist Medicine healing are:

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The nervous system is one of the main modes of communication within the body. It not only connects our entire body (brains, heart, organs, muscles, etc) but it also connects us to the external environment via the sensory organs. It is intimately linked with all the processes unfolding in our bodies as well as how we respond to and interact with the outside world. As such the importance of its role in our ability to heal cannot be understated and if we want to create the conditions for health and healing in our life a basic understanding of how the nervous system functions will be very helpful.

If one is searching for genuine lasting healing, it is important to understand the difference between symptom-based treatments and root-cause-based treatments. Developing this discernment will not only help you better understand the pros and cons of different treatments available, it will also make it easier to map out a more effective path to recovery.

The term “healing crisis”, simply put, can refer to any discomforts or unpleasant sensations that arise in the body/minds’ journey to heal and recover homeostasis. It can take on countless forms, be they long or short; mild or severe. So, what is its significance, how can we recognize it and how can qigong help?

There are many different possible obstacles that can arise in one’s practice: lack of motivation, time, uncomfortable emotions, the list goes on and on. In this article we’re going to take a closer look at one obstacle in particular and it’s usually the first obstacle to show up under one of its many guises. We somewhat affectionately call it “The Honeymoon Is Over”.

As discussed in our previous article, “The Importance of How You Start Your Day”, the first things you do upon rising are powerful trend setters for how you move through the rest of your day. The first thing you ingest in the morning is no exception. This choice not only has a huge impact on your metabolism, but it also says a lot about your mental state, self-awareness and intention. Are you drinking a coffee to numb the fatigue of your previous day or for an extra boost? Are you opening a box of processed cereal because it’s convenient and no fuss? Are you eating a greasy fried breakfast to treat yourself for the week’s hard work? Or do you prefer some simple oatmeal with fruit? What signals are you sending to your mind and body with this first choice?

When you wake up what do you do first? Do you press the snooze button one more time and then again and again? Do you reach for your phone and scroll through social media feeds? Do do you start thinking about all the things you want to do and get lost in a day-dream? Or perhaps you spring out of bed before the alarm has even sounded? Each and every action, word and thought can be seen as having a certain momentum and effect and, because of this your first moments upon wakening are particularly important. How positive is your morning ritual? Is your morning ritual supporting your current purpose and the person you want to grow into in ten, twenty, fifty years from now?

We are going to approach and explore the topic of “nourishment” in relation to the three regulators of qi - the breath, the body and the mind. Before we do this however, some rudimentary background knowledge will be useful. Because of this we have divided this article into two parts. In part one, we will discuss digestion according to Chinese Medicine, the nervous system and the mechanism of hunger. In part two, we will look at nourishment in relation to the three regulators of qi.

The Three Regulators Of Qi – 三調 - Santiao (three regulate)

If you are reading this article then we are assuming you have already gained a general awareness of what qigong is from our earlier blogs or elsewhere. You have heard that it is good for your health, maybe seen someone practicing or have even participated in a class yourself. If this is not the case, then we recommend you first read our previous articles “What is Qigong?” and “The History and Types Of Qigong”. You can also watch the video below to gain a sense of what it looks like in practice.

When and where did qigong originate? How did it come into being and who brought it into being? The truth of the matter is that it is not so straight forward to pinpoint one precise moment, event or person that brought this rich and ancient practice into existence. So, let’s take a look at some of the many different influences that have all come together to shape what is known as qigong today.

What is Qigong 氣功?

This is a question we are often asked as teachers, and at times it can be difficult not to leave people scratching their heads with a glazed over expression on their face. Many people know that it is a practice with many supposed mental, emotional & physical benefits but why is it so difficult to describe succinctly? The short answer is summed up nicely by the title of the film ‘Lost In Translation’. So to help further clarify what Qigong is, a good starting point is to look at the definition and etymology of the word.