16 Mar Don’t forget to enjoy
Are you able to embrace joy and connection in Qi Gong Practice?
This morning, I was reading some notes I’ve collected from the many Qi Gong lessons I’ve had the privilege to attend over the years. On a sunny day like today, it really feels like a true wealth that these masters and grandmasters shared their wisdom and experience.
As I was reading, I was struck by my notes about the insights from a Qi Gong master who highlighted something essential: joy! He believed, and I agree, that joy is at the heart of Qi Gong. I want to emphasise this in my blog: don’t forget to enjoy!
My hope…
The gatherings I organise are grounded in this principle. My hope is that you too can experience joy, lightness, gentleness, happiness, wonder, enthusiasm, and openness during your Qi Gong practices.
Of course, I also recognise that Qi Gong practice can sometimes be challenging. We seek effort and structure first so that we can genuinely experience relaxation later. We work for instance with standing postures, aiming to perform them as well as we can. Hands in the right position, knees in the proper position, lower back, shoulders, calves… Sometimes, the body tells us it’s not so easy: pain, discomfort. Or a gentle nudge from the teacher as he or she passes by with a suggestion for improvement (or better yet, discovery!), while you were thinking you’re were doing great.
Relax!
But in all this, the real art is to relax, to let go, to not strive for perfection. In fact, to not judge yourself at all. It is not about enjoying the pain, like some might say ‘no pain no gain’. Can you stay calm while experiencing the impact of your effort. The question is if you can you enjoy unconditionally. Just like we learn from the Zen teachings: can you live life unconditionally?
This is easier said than done. Are you able to find joy in practicing Qi Gong? Can you feel your body during practice? How it becomes alive through the flow of Qi moving through you? Without trying to understand mentally? Can you sense the flow of Qi within, and between you, your surroundings, your fellow participants, and the universe itself? Can you experience how the earth supports you, and notice how your body responds? That your hands and feet are getting warmer and ‘juicier’? Perhaps a tingle in your fingers, a subtle blush in your face?
We seek effort and structure first so that we can genuinely experience relaxation later.
We also practice with flows, moving forms of Qi Gong. These may appear easier, softer, even more enjoyable to do. The focus shifts to the flow of movement: elbows active, wrists loose, attention to fingers, shoulders, footwork. Sometimes, we get caught up in remembering the steps, and the exercise becomes just mechanical. The invitation is to go beyond the mechanical perspective. To embrace the flow as an experience, not just a routine.
For me, neither approach is better than the other. Both have captured my heart. As Qi Gong masters often say: “same, same, but different.” In my experience, we need both to find the balance.
Pure joy
It is about finding the ultimate relaxation. And with that, pure joy. Discovering this deep relaxation can even feel euphoric. Again, it is not about the ‘joy’ of pain. It is about the understanding of what unconditional joy actually feels like.
Beginners mind
In each Qi Gong gathering I organise, I hope every participant can discover that joy. That everyone keeps seeking the right balance between effort and relaxation. And that they keep motivated to explore the wonders at the edge between tension and release.
The invitation is to practice with a ‘beginner’s mind.’ Seek the perfect posture, not because perfection is required, but to discover what’s possible. Marvel at what you can experience, even if you don’t fully understand it. As I often hear, this can feel like “coming home intensely.” That’s when a smile appears. The gentle smile of the mystery.
My wish is to share this feeling in gatherings. Through the forms and structures passed down by masters and grandmasters. I hope everyone will find a glimpse of this ultimate freedom and happiness. The sense of connection that flows within you and radiates out to everything and everyone around you.
Welcome to join my gatherings.