What kind of exercises can I do to move Qi (Chi) to my lower body?

Question

I recently hurt myself while sparing in the dojo. My ex-rays came back and stated that I had fractured both of my shins. I know that chi can help a person heal faster and I was wondering if anyone would know some exercises that i could do to move chi to places other than my fists.

Answer 1

I can not think of any Qi Gong exercises that would focus only on the lower body, as there are no organs located there.

However, if you balance the Qi in your body this will help boost your immune system so that you will heal faster. The problem I see is that most Qi Gong exercises are designed to be done from a standing position, and that might be painful with your injuries. I do practice what I am teaching here as there are times when I cannot stand. During those times I do my modified exercises from a seated position.

When I can not sit or stand, I do the exercises laying on a King Size bed. You need to modify because your limbs will not be able to use much gravity. But the first answer here recommending meditation is part of the Qi Gong exercise. Control of your breathing is essential, and the first level of Qi Gong.

Consider laying flat and following that meditation. Focus on the injured area in your mind and visualize your injuries healing. Visualize the bone matter actually bonding the fractures. You can also lie flat and still "reach for the sky" or "part the clouds". See this video series on YouTube if you have the broadband connection. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZq78t4WMg&feature=PlayList&p=1A439D674B76C94F&index=24

Qi Gong translates to Qi/Chi = Essential life/force/energy and Gong= Practice/work. There is nothing spiritual involved in this art. The energy is the electrical charge that exist in each living cell of your body, the same energy that carries signals from your brain to other parts of your body and back to the medulla.

Not to write a book here, but also maybe observe the opposing motion theories. In your case you would massage your calf muscles that are located on the opposite side of the shin. If this causes any pain in the shin then stop it, but if no pain continue. Pain is also carried by electrical impulse from the shin to the brain. So if massaging the calf muscles causes pain then move above and below to massage your hamstring and your feet. This will keep good circulation going to your shins which will aid in healing.

I use these exact same theories as an MS patient to keep my muscles from atrophy, and to help control the spasms that can keep a person from being able to stand or walk.

Answer 2

This is a funny question because the question implies that you are able to move chi to your fists. Should you actually be able to do that, you would not be asking the question.

I will assume that you know nothing of what you ask, and offer this:

You must use your "mind-consciousness to direct or lead the Chi in the Tan T'ien to circulate in the whole body. When the Chi has sunk to the Tan T'ien, it should be excited. The main result is this: with the arriving of the Chi, the initrinsic energy emerges."

The main thing to understand is this: wherever the consciousness arrives the Chi does as well. The mind/ consciousness goes together with the Chi.

Should you not understand how to get the Chi to your Tan T'ien, see Charles Luk. The Secrets of Chinese Meditations, Rider & Company, london, 1964

Answer 3

Sounds like a lame cop out but meditation! Sit (in a comfortable position!) and focus on the energy starting at the top of your head & work your way down to the area in pain. This is also a common hypnosis technique!

It helps if you tense the muscles you are focusing on as you work you way down. This not only gives your body the sensation of release of energy but helps you to focus on the actual location that should be the next target.

Answer 4

For the martial artist, Qi gong is a good way of going about it. Keep the chakra thing in mind as well; I don't know much about that side of spiritual healings, but I'm always willing to learn more about them. For injuries to the lower body, take a horse stance (seated in a chair, since your legs are damaged.) with your hands at your sides (in the basic karate/taekwondo horse stance) and open with fingers straight and together, and keep the eyes open. Keep the hands relaxed. Do not focus on any particular point in space, just stare through everything before you. As odd as it sounds, for physical meditations, being able to see what is before and around you will help you find your center. Once you feel at balance, do three cleansing breaths...in through the nose and out through the mouth, as I'm sure you know. Remember to never focus the eyes on anything but what is beyond what you can see (Cryptic, I know...but I can't really explain it otherwise.) or it will draw your attention and energy away from the exercise.

On the fourth inhale, bring your hands from the sides, out before you like you are holding a beach ball and towards your face. This is a traditional exercise of drawing in the natural energies around you into your lungs. The hands now on either side of your head, exhale and use your palms to push the stale energies away. Do this three times.

Now that you are finished with that, continue the breathing with the hands, but rather than focusing on the head and lungs, use your hands to help draw energies from directly in front towards your center as you inhale. Never be forceful with it, just show it where to go. On the exhale, bring your hands from either side of your center and push downward to the legs with still open palms. Along with focusing your ki on the flow to your injuries, this exercise should help send more energies to the damaged areas.

Hope this helps. I learned it a long time ago, and it helped me with my sudden flare of achilles-tendonitis when I was still in tournaments.

Answer 5

I personally do Sanchin kata, which helps injured areas, I did it for my shoulder injury last year and it healed a few weeks quicker than with normal treatments. It's important to get normal treatments. If your style has a Ki developing kata, this is the one I'd do. If not, buy a DVD on Qi Gong, this style can be used in conjunction with any martial art, Chinese, Japanese or Okinawan.

Answer 6

Love heals.

Bring in earth energy through the left leg and out through the right. Do NOT follow your own heart - that will get you lost in the fourth chakra. Keep other people above you, and interactive.