Exploring torso alignment
curve in the lower or lumbar spine. To compensate for this misalignment, the muscles on the weight-bearing side will have a tendency to pull the upper or thoracic spine in the opposite direction bringing the shoulder down on the same side. The neck will usually compensate by pulling away from the lower shoulder. Such habitual shifting of the weight away from the Center may result in developing a chronic pattern of holding tension in your body see the chapter on Holding Patterns . Ask your...
Rotating the arms in the opposite directions
Now let us find out whether you can rotate your arms in the opposite directions at the same time one arm forward and the other one backwards. These arm rotations can be easier when you allow the hips to pivot. Whenever you are ready, reverse the directions of these arm rotations. This is an excellent exercise for developing greater coordination between the two hemispheres of the brain. Opening and closing both arms simultaneously Open and close both arms simultaneously while alternating the arm...
About the Companion DVD
Qi Dao DVD, designed as a companion for this ground-breaking book, takes you on a journey of discovering a greater sense of aliveness. Step-by-step, you will explore the process of self-realization using this unique system of energy work dedicated to helping you discover and harness the inner powers dormant in most people. This ancient art of awareness can be applied to virtually any sphere of life from healing to martial arts and from workplace to enlightenment You must see Lama Tantrapa...
Rotating the right ankle
Explore the flexibility of your ankles, one at a time, by lifting the heel of one foot off the ground and rotating it in a circular motion. Make these circles clockwise and counter-clockwise using the whole leg and hip to rotate the ankle around the ball of the foot. After a few revolutions, do the same experiment with the other foot. Compare perceptions of energy flow in the feet before you switch feet and do the same on the other side. Similar to the rotation of the head, with which you...
Torso rotation with the arms in front
Next, bring one elbow on top of the other and wrap your forearms around each other until the fingers of the lower hand touch the palm of the other hand, thumbs facing you. Add the rotation of your entire upper body in a circular fashion around your waist, letting your head roll around freely. After a few circles, alternate the arms and reverse the torso rotation. Again, it is particularly essential to keep your weight Centered between your feet to maintain balance.
About the Qi Dao Home Study Course
Discover the magic of Tibetan Dream Yoga as taught by Lama Somananda Tantrapa. In addition to this book, the companion DVD, Qi Dao Initiation CD, as well as the audiobook and workbook, are included into the Qi Dao Home Study Course. You may enjoy the practices presented in this Course on your own, although it is easier to learn and master with a practice partner or a Certified Qi Dao coach. Being able to test and experiment with all the Qi Dao practices is essential for developing greater...
Front Kick
Front Kick is usually performed with the knee of the rear leg. If you just lift the rear foot off the ground, you will start falling backwards as with Natural Step backward. In order to create forward momentum, take a Natural Step forward with your front foot. As soon as all your weight shifts on the front foot, the back foot will be ready to leave the ground to launch a Front Kick. Lifting the knee on your Centerline will give it maximum power, in case you run into your target sooner than...
amanic Qigong
2007 Lama Somananda Tan trapa. All rights reserved No part of this book may he reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author. Revised edition. First published by AuthorHouse on 08 13 2007. ISBN 978-1-4343-2027-8 Library of Congress Control Number 2007905688 Cover design and illustrations by Patrick Burke ofwww.patrickburke.com. Printed in U.S.A.
Natural Turn
Natural Turn is similar to Natural Step in terms of moving the same side foot as the direction that you turn in. When performing Natural Turns, you either give your body circular momentum or you use the momentum you receive from being pushed by another person. Using such momentum, you can lift the appropriate foot and allow your body to turn in that respective direction, pivoting on the heel of the opposite foot. For instance, if you want to turn to the right, pick up the right foot and turn on...
Rolling the wrists
Interlock the fingers of both hands together and imagine holding a small ball of energy, about the size of a tennis ball. Explore rolling your hands around the energy ball in one direction whichever you prefer . Then alternate the way your fingers interlock, so that the other thumb is on top, and reverse the direction of rotation. We often have habitual ways to interlock our fingers with one or the other thumb being always on top. Challenge your stereotypes by learning to interlock your fingers...
Rotating the head
First of all, assume your Natural Stance. Begin exploring the mobility of your neck by rotating your pelvis in a circular manner clockwise and counter-clockwise. Allow the motions of the torso to animate the head letting the head roll freely, in synch with the motions of the pelvis without using the neck muscles. Use the principle of Grounding to maintain your balance while keeping your whole torso relaxed throughout the movement and letting your arms hang loose and aligned at your sides. You...
Outward rotation of the leg bent at the knee
Experiment with standing on the left foot and rotating the right leg bent at the knee clockwise outwards in a circular manner in front of you. Allow your leg to hang loose and free of any muscular tension to experience the full range of movement in your hip joint. If you choose to speed up, you may find that centrifugal force of the leg rotation will cause the foot to rise up to the level of the knee. After a few revolutions, alternate the legs and explore the same type of movement on the other...
Rotating the knees
Standing with both feet together, knees slightly bent, place your hands on the kneecaps and rotate the knees in circles in one direction and then the other. Sometimes, your may find your hamstrings or other leg muscles tenser that you wish they were. Exploring the range of movement of your knees may help you discover any areas of tension that you may have around your knees. Most of the muscles of the leg are attached to the bones of the lower leg around the knee joint and can create pain below...
Exploring the flexibility of the hamstrings with splits
Keeping your feet wide apart, turn your hips to the right as you walk your hands in that direction, so that the right hand ends up on the right side of the right leg. Explore the flexibility of your hamstrings by rocking from one hand to the other. Alternate the legs by walking the hands to the opposite side. Make sure you point the toes of your front foot upward while keeping the front knee as straight as you can. After returning to the standing side-split position, find out whether you can...
Inward rotation of the leg bent at the knee
Now rotate the right leg bent in the knee counter-clockwise in a circular fashion in front of you. Allow your hips to open fully when your knee comes up and close them as your knee comes down. See if you can keep your torso and head aligned while making smooth circles with the knee. When you are ready to switch sides, explore the same movement with the left leg. As an alternative, you may choose to rotate one leg in one direction after the other and then do the same with the other leg. Compare...
Moving with the Energy Ball
With practice, you may find that the six directional movements presented in this chapter can be practiced with the hands holding an imaginary ball of energy. This will allow you to learn how to make your movements particularly smooth, fluid, and harmonious. Both hands can naturally perform primary and secondary movements in synch with each other when holding the energy ball from two opposite sides. For example, when making a Forward Push with the left elbow, bring the left hand to the right...
Shoulder Rolls
Explore the mobility of your shoulders and their connection with the lower body. Roll both shoulders forward, using the undulation of your pelvis to send a wave up your spine that moves the shoulders. After a few repetitions, reverse the motion and roll both shoulders backwards still keeping your arms relaxed at your sides. Notice that this backwards motion is similar to rowing a boat, less the movements of the arms. Naturally, rowing a boat requires a continuous expenditure of energy, and...
Upper Cut Downward Press application
When your adventure partner grabs your right hand with his or her right hand facing upward, follow the direction of Lao Gong point with a simulated Upper Cut. Your initial motion doesn't even have to be directed towards your partner's head. It can just move in that general direction on the outside of your partner's right elbow. If necessary, help your partner bend his or her right elbow using your other arm s secondary movement. As soon as your elbow reaches the level of his or her head, step...
Chapter One Qi Dao Fundamentals
Shamanism is the most ancient spiritual tradition known to humankind. Throughout its history, the human race has evolved significantly in both technology and science, but human nature has never changed. We all have the same primordial spiritual core that we often call our inner essence or spirit. This inner nature is not always apparent, for the wonders of technological and scientific progress tend to distract us more and more from paying attention to our inner nature as well as to the world of...
Preface
Most people experience being in the flow or in the zone at least once in their lives. If you have ever had such an amazing experience, you will probably never forget how empowered you felt. Being in the flow allows you to feel the flow of Qi - the energy of life. You can learn to perceive the flow of Qi in your body and around it however, trying to manipulate or direct this flow would only waste your time and energy, just like pushing a river upstream. Instead, through the practice of Qi Dao,...