Written by: Nicole Lee, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When most people think about how to boost energy levels or to feel more vibrant they consider a supplement to add to their diet or getting some extra sleep. Those things might help a little but to have more energy we need to hold more energy in our body and we need to transform how the energy of our body moves – we need to change the Qi.
You might not have heard of the word Qi, nor know how to pronounce it! Qi (phonetically chi) is a concept from Chinese culture and health philosophy that refers to vital or life force energy. You can think of it as the aliveness that flows through you and all living things.
A magic potion for boosting energy levels
Movement therapy is just a tiny piece of the Qigong puzzle but it can be like a magic potion for boosting your energy levels. You probably haven’t thought about how engaging in some gentle stretches, flowing movements, being present and focusing on your breath could be like giving your nerves a big comforting hug. A core fundamental of oriental health philosophy is that tension is the cause of all disease, the physical aspect of Qigong helps to soothe stress and discomfort in the body. Afterwards, it's like your body breathes a sigh of relief, you feel more spacious, your blood and fluids are flowing better and you feel as though you have more energy.
In reality, you don’t have more energy. The physical practices of Qigong have a therapeutic effect by enhancing the flow of energy throughout your body's intricate network of pathways, vessels, membranes, and cells. With the demands of modern lifestyles, most people’s energy is sluggish and stagnant. Sitting for extended periods, convenience-motivated nutrition, busyness, toxic environments and relationships and a disconnection from the natural world are just some of the reasons why we feel perpetually tired and desperate for energy.
If we consider fatigue and energy deficit through the lens of Daoist health and healing, we're guided to the principles of Yang Sheng Fa. It's like a roadmap for nurturing our lives—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Do you tend to your energy? Yang Sheng Fa, which translates to "life nurturing practice or skill," encompasses a whole spectrum of activities and habits aimed at optimum well-being and harmony within oneself and with the world around us. It's about cultivating practices that not only sustain life but also enrich it, promoting balance and resilience in the face of life's challenges and the craziness of the modern world.
Amplifying energy through your psyche
So far, we've explored two key aspects of Qigong philosophy and practice that can help boost energy levels, these are relatively simple to implement. There's another crucial aspect to consider though when it comes to harnessing and transforming Qi within the body. The psyche.
In terms of the energy matrix of the body, it’s three of what are referred to as the Extraordinary Vessels that are the energetic beginning of our development and the development of our psyche. The first vessel to form after conception is the Chongmai, you can think of this as your energetic core, travelling through the centre line or pole of your body. The next two energetic pathways to generate are the Du and the Ren, otherwise known as the Conception and Governing Vessels.
You might be thinking — what in the world has this got to do with having more energy!
Through the lens of Daoist philosophy and oriental medicine, the belief is that our energetic pathways and the flow (or not) of Qi influence our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
These three Extraordinary Vessels carry the essence of our ancestral lineage, genetic inheritance, and prenatal nourishment. They wield significant influence over the body's energy flow and organ function, impacting it in diverse ways. Together with the other five extraordinary vessels, they serve as repositories for the energetic blueprint of our psyche—housing a wealth of information about you. Information related to your unique Self, the self with a capital S. This encompasses your essence along with personality traits, memories, desires, values, ideas, beliefs, emotions, and habitual patterns of behaviour.
The idea of housing energetic data linked to one's distinct identity is deeply intertwined with the fundamental tenets of Daoism and Eastern medicine. According to these traditions, the mind serves as the compass for Qi, our vital energy. This suggests that our energy is a mirror of our life experiences and awareness. When disruptions occur along these energy pathways, whether physical or psychological, they can signal imbalances or blockages that may lead to physical symptoms and mental and emotional blocks in our lives.
To genuinely enhance our vitality, changing our Qi is the key to boosting energy levels
The components of Qigong I discussed earlier—physical movement, breathwork, and mindful presence—alongside embracing the rejuvenating principles of Yang Sheng Fa, offer accessible methods to influence Qi flow. However, it's in the exploration of Qigong for Self-Knowing or development of the Self that we can truly shape and transform our Qi. By immersing ourselves in the exploration of our psyche, gaining insights into our motivations and behaviours, and acknowledging any trauma or perceived negativity, we can enhance our ability to hold Qi within our body. Though this journey may be arduous and require confronting our innermost selves, the rewards are profound—a life brimming with greater joy, vitality, and eagerness to pursue our Ming. And as for Ming—well, that's a conversation for another time! Stay tuned for more.
Interested in the path of health and well-being through the Daoist lens? Explore Qigong and the Dao of the Heart with Nicole Lee Qigong.
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Nicole Lee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole Lee is an internationally certified Qigong teacher, with training encompassing both Modern and Classical Qigong styles. Over a span of more than ten years instructing Qigong, she has witnessed the transformative impact of this gentle practice on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nicole approaches Qigong with reverence, advocating for a modern and contemporary perspective to make this ancient healing art accessible to those leading busy and demanding lives.
