qigong for weight loss

7/28/2019 Qigong for Weight Loss

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QIGONG FOR WEIGHT LOSS

JOHN VOIGT

Before commencing this or any other

weight loss program consult with your

appropriate healthcare providers. If any

procedures in this article cause mental or

physical discomfort stop doing them and

see your doctor.

Introduction


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Rather than changing external behavior,

this is an invitation to change who and what

you are. You no longer need be addicted to

overeating and physical laziness.

The technique herein offered is a fusion

of Chinese Daoist (Taoist) and Qigong like-

meditations with Swiss psychiatrist Carl G.

Jung's concepts of the unconscious.

Academic purists may hate it, and call it no

more than a simplistic reduction; but the

author has personally used it and taught it

and seen that it can work: it is possible to

create a new more healthy you by

assimilating the energy patterns of the

slender person who is already in you.

Today there is an overweight/obesity

epidemic in the western world. In the 2007

U.S. National Health and Nutrition


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Examination Survey 63% of Americans are

said to be overweight, and 26% as obese.

These figures are shocking.

Eating too much and not enough physical

activity seem to be the cause for this. Diets

and exercises are prescribed (or diet pills,

or stomach surgery)however for most

people this does not work. The ancient and

modern science and art of Traditional

Chinese Medicine (TCM) seeks out and

tries to correct the underlying basis of an

illness, rather than just an attempt to

eliminate symptoms. Eating disorders

usually are the consequence of habitual

thoughts, emotions, and behavior. This

leads to an imbalance of Life Vitality

Energy (Qi or Chi) which in a feedback


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pattern returns to create even more

improper thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

As a baby, our needed love and security

are to be found in the mother's breast (or

its bottled substitutes). The problem is that

for any baby there always comes a time

when food is denied and therefore its

attendant feelings of love and security.

We grow up, but for many of us food

continues to equal the love and securitythat we so deeply desire, and so we

overeat.

Eating too much does not grant love and

security. The already unbalanced qi flow in

the body and mind of the person is made

worse. The pattern of emotional

painovereatingmore emotional painmore


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overeating seems uncontrollable. However

qigong can aid in correcting this situation.

Qigong Defined

Qi is universal energy. It is the essence of

life.

As electricity flows through a television

causing pictures on a screen, Qi flows

through our bodies and brains causing the

Wen-

chang,

Taoist

God of

Learning,

Literature, and

(as Zhang Ya Zi)

Transformations.


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sensations of conscious awareness and

the images of our thoughts. In English it is

sometimes written as "chi" or "ch'i."

Gong means accomplishment, as in "the

achievement of skill through diligent hard

work over time." Occasionally in English it

is written as "Kung."

Qigong is "life vitality cultivation." It works

with mind, breath, visualizations, and

physical positions and movements. Thosewho practice it learn to live in the present

momentand not stress about things in the

past, or possible situations in the future

which may cause mindless overeating.Qigong also aids in toning and sculpting

the body and mind. Because you feel better

you eat better and have the energy to

move more vigorously. This article will


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focus on inner work rather than any of its

external exercises.

Meditation

The following

meditation/visualization/contemplation

begins with a somewhat simplified version

of what is called the Microcosmic Orbit

("small heavenly circuit"). If you have your

own methods of moving qi throughout theenergy pathways of the body you may

freely do that instead, then continue to the

creation and absorption of the proper new

slender you as described below.

Its visualization techniques are meant to

delve deeply into the subconscious mind to

effect change and are only proper for those

with a healthy secure sense of personal


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identity. If you suffer or have suffered from

mental illness do not practice this

meditation by yourself. As with any

advanced qigong, it is best to learn

personally from a grandmaster (i.e., "a

teacher of teachers"). Do these in order,

mastering each step before moving to the

next. If you have difficulty in actually

perceiving the Qi in any of the steps then

just use your imagination; in time that

should make it happen.

1.Breathe abdominally. Fill the lower belly

calmly and fully with air ("air" is also a basic

definition of Qi.) A way to learn to do this

correctly is on the exhalation gently press

the navel back toward the spine.

2.Put your mental awareness (your

intention and attention) on the breath/qi


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and exhalation "pack" the Qi there by

squeezing in the muscles to as if you were

holding back a bowel movement and

urination. After you can sense the Qi there

(usually as a electric-like tingling, or feeling

of warm or hot heaviness) continue with the

microcosmic orbit.

Microcosmic Orbit:

With your mind move the Qi from theperineum to the tip of the spine then up

your back and down your front. The tip of

the tongue should touch the roof of the

mouth just behind the front teeth to make aconduit for the flowing energy. It helps to

very gently roll your eyes as you "follow"

the movement and flow of the Qi. When

beginning this practice, one or two


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complete orbit cycles per breath is

suggested. More are possible after you

have gained skill.

Signs that the orbiting is working are

feelings of warmth or other sensations in

the body, and especially, as the qi is

flowing, a tingling at the tip of the tongue.

Another good sign is increased quantities

of saliva in the mouth; if that happens drink

it down as liquid qi and send it into the

dantien.

Mandatory Requirement: At the end of

the meditation, by the use of your breath

and focused mental intention and attention,guide and bring the orbiting qi into your

navel and back into the dantien. The

dantien is the basic storage battery for qi

life energyIt is proper to finish any qigong


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meditation/visualizations by storing the qi

energy in the dantien in the lower

abdomen. The Macrocosmic Orbit adds a

Qi Flow through the arms and legs. As with

the Microcosmic Orbit there are many

variations. I use the technique of during the

inhalation breathing qi into the tips of the

fingers and toes and leading this qi into the

"river" of energy running up the back and

down the front. On the exhalation I allow

any qi which may be stagnant, or

excessive, to drain out from the balls of the

feet, and perhaps to a lesser amount from

my hands. As always, end with storing qi in

the dantien.


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Nuwa and Fuxi,

an ancient

painting

discovered in

Xinjiang

According to

legend the

earth was

swept by a

great flood

(circa 3000

BCE). Only

Fuxi and his

sister Nuwasurvived. Like

Adam and Eve,


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The Creation of the Slender You

"The Chinese alchemist begins from the

point of energetics and used guided

visualization and physical techniques to

effectuate the fusion of the energies. The

fused energies are then purified,

transformed and projected to create an

energy body or energy double." Katchmer,

pg. 92. The body is activated by the

interplay of two psychic structures: first,

hun, which because it belongs to the yang

principle, I have translated as animusp'o

which belongs to the yin principle, as

anima." Carl Gustav Jung. "Secret of the

Golden Flower", pg. 14.

Yang is archetypal Masculine energyas in

father, sun, fire, phallic, aggressive, logical,

left brain.


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(imagine) sitting facing you, a healthy

slender, full of youthful energy,

beautiful/handsome you. A truly perfect

you: all you would ever want and wish to

bebut of the opposite sex. Feel their

presence by fully imagining with your

senses. Now run the microcosmic circling

energy up their back and down their front.

Then add the energy coming in the fingers

and toes through the limbs and jointing the

flowing inner-river of qi.

Imagine/see/perceive them radiating qi

from their entire body. See their radiance

increase. Picture their energy pathways

aglow. Their radiance is almost blinding.

Then go to this image, hold and turn them

so their back is to you and bring them,

squeeze them, into your body. As they


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enter you their sex changes to your sex.

(They were in so many ways the true you

anyway.) All the glowing radiating energy

pathways in their body have now become

yours. After you have drawn in your

projected perfect-self, do another short

micro-then macrocosmic orbit in your body

to cement in their energy circuits. As

always, finish by cycling qi into your navel

into the dantien, the storage cauldron in the

center of your lower abdomen.

Repeat this meditation as needed.

The slender anima (female soul in themale) or animus (male soul in the female)

now exists inside you buried under your

excess weight. Like a butterfly crawling out

of a chrysalis spun by its former caterpillar


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self, she/he willif allowedgrant you the

power to almost automatically become

slender in time.

Of course they eat properly and are

constantly moving; that is why they are

slender. And that is why you (if you allow it)

will do the same as they do: thereby

becoming slender and more healthy(and

even gain an introduction to esoteric

spiritual work).

Personal Comments by the Author: My

anima alter-ego does things I like to

describe with words my parents used:

"Such a finicky eater." "Just picks at theirfood." "Eats like a bird." "Never finishes

what's on their plate." And "Always running

around. Never gives it a rest." Every time I

am around foodshopping, at a restaurant,


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cooking, or eatingI feel her presence in me

automatically guiding me to do the right

thing.

She loves to do body movement qigong

and exerciseand so do I. And we both love

to walk. I try to do that at least a half hour a

day.

She seems immune to hunger and being

physically tiredno wonder I am glad I have

found her and that she is me.

About Food and Qi.

Everyone's needs are different. However

most often, a proper diet should be 80% yin

and 20% yang. Lightly cooked vegetables,

and fruits offer the best yin. Whole grains

(rice, oats, barley) are harmoniously

balanced. Fish, and in moderation: low-fat


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meat and dairy, nuts and vegetable oils

have proper yang. You need some fat in

your diet: wild fresh salmon, and small

amounts of walnuts are excellent sources.

For men tomatoes, which are strongly

yin, are recommended as an aid to

counterbalance intense yang of possible

future prostate problems. For women small

amounts of flax oil (supplements and pills)

seem to help counterbalance intense yin

problems that may lead to breast cancer.

In an attempt to establish a qi balance,

food that is too yin or too yang demands its

opposite. Therefore the urge for a sugarydessert after a steak dinner. Overly

processed carbohydrates (white sugar,

white bread, pastries) have "bad" yin;

animal fat in meat and dairy products has
http://www.qi-journal.com/Qigong.asp?-token.D=Article&-MaxRecords=1&-SkipRecords=2&-Op=bw&Name=Qigong%20for%20Weight%20Loss%20Ihttp://www.qi-journal.com/Qigong.asp?-token.D=Article&-MaxRecords=1&-SkipRecords=2&-Op=bw&Name=Qigong%20for%20Weight%20Loss%20I


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"bad" yang. If we do not get the qi we need,

we are forced into eating too much and

become overweight or obese. Food that is

naturally or better yet organically raised or

grown and that you prepare is best.

Generally speaking anything that is highly

processed that comes in brightly colored

boxes or cans (and with additives) should,

if practical, be avoided. However, frozen

vegetables many say are good. The qi of a

food shows in its appearance: the brighter

and deeper the natural color of vegetables

or fruit means that it is betterfor example,

dark leafy spinach or broccoli is better than

pale colored lettuce. Blueberries are

especially good. All colors apply here; for

white try bananas, onion, garlic.


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Traditional Chinese Medicine believes

that lightly cooked vegetables are much

better than raw vegetables; that hot foods

and drinks are better than warm; and that

most anything cold is bad. You should

never have ice in your drinks.

For those on restricted intake of food

(such as vegans, or low calorie dieters) it is

strongly recommended to take a

multivitamin - multimineral supplementthe

"One a Day" type. It is especially important

to get sufficient vitamin B-12 and vitamin D.

But once again it is best consult a

professional nutritionist who if possible is

familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine.


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BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) is often used by

health professionals to judge what is an

individual's proper weight.

Your BMI may be calculated for free on the

WWW. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute site is

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

The U.S. Government site is

http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm

An excellent site is

http://web4health.info/en/answers/ed-dia-

weight-bmi-calc.htm If you suffer or may

suffer from anorexia or bulimia see a doctor

immediately. If friends, co-workers, family

members tell you that you are already too

thin pay attention to what they say! Theabove web4health site may offer needed

answers in such situations.

Trying to have the body of a model, movie

star, or athlete is counter productive for mostof us. Never-the-less, the healthiest, longest

living, most energetic, most beautiful people


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Leftovers:

After knowing what healthy medically

approved weight target is for you, move

toward it at about a pound loss per week.

(See the sidebar: Body Mass Index).

Eat slowly, thoughtfully. Eating quickly

and mindlessly is inappropriate.

It is highly important that you do body

movements such as exercise, yoga,

taijiquan (tai chi), and my favorite, qigong.But always be mindful of your internal qi-

energy flow as you do them. Unconfirmed

experimental techniques: If you are hell-

bent on taking off the pounds, instead of

eating when feeling hungry, just breathe

air/qi into your stomach, then squeeze in

your abdominal muscles, and hold it as

long as you can. Another technique is to


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take an amulet that emanates qi (a Daoist

one would probably be best) and store it

next to a covered jug of water. Instead of

eating for your qi, just sip some of that! I

have not personally had any beneficial

results from these methods, but never-the-

less they were told me by two deeply

respected teachers of mine.

John Voigt is currently writing a book on

Asian Spiritual Weight Loss. He may becontacted at [email protected].

WORKS CONSULTED

BOOKS

Mantak Chia. Awaken Healing Energy

Through Tao. Aurora.

Alex Gray. Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary

Art. Inner Traditions.

George A. Katchmer. The Tao of


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Bioenergetics. YMAA.

Lu K'uan Y. Taoist Yoga. Weiser.

Master Shou-Yu Liang & Wen-Ching Wu.

Qigong Empowerment. Way of the

Dragon.

Nan Lu. Traditional Chinese medicine.

Quill.

WORLDWIDE WEB

Wikipedia website was consulted for the

following subjects or images: Body Mass

Index. Daphnis and Chloe. Fuxi. Alex Gray.

Carl Jung. Microcosmic orbit. Taoist

alchemy. Wen-Chang, and Yin Yang.

Michelangelo's David at

http://emergentvoyageurs.blog.com/126466

1/ As a possible aid in imagining how a

resonating anima/animus might appear


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look at the art of Alex Gray. I suggest "Adi

Da Samraj," "Alex," "Holy Fire," "Namaste,"

and "Psychic Energy System." All are on

the WWW.

qigong for weight loss

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