Medical Qigong and Your Immune System (part 1)

Two of the questions I get asked most by people practicing qigong are

1. Should I practice when I'm sick? 

and

2. What qigong should I practice to recover from illness?

While Qigong practice may not be a panacea (except in the most esoteric or spiritual sense), it can be a valuable resource in preventing illness and in recovery. 

Qigong enhances our mind-body connection, using rhythmic movement and breathing to invoke the "Relaxation Response", and symbolic practices to call upon our subconscious mind and the power of our emotions. 

The science of psychoneuroimmunology says our emotions and subconscious have a powerful effect on our immune systems, so practices like qigong can be a potent ally in keeping ourselves healthy!

Don't lock the thief in the house

The first insight we should know is contained in this slogan: "Don't lock the thief in the house [with you]".  The idea is that if you're coming down with something, that's not the time to practice exercises that strengthen the barrier of your immune system (called "Wei Qi" or "Defensive Qi" in Chinese medicine).

You can perhaps see how the metaphor is applied.  If an invader is in your abode, you don't want to make sure no one can get out, you want to get them OUT!  According to Chinese Medicine, this is why one might induce mild sweating to "release the exterior".  The traditional herbs used are also "exterior releasing" and they have the function of opening the sinuses and other breathing pathways.

In qigong practice, we are advised to pause from practices that try to bring energy in  and down, and pay more attention to exercises that focus on bringing energy out. Traditional practices like the "8 Section Brocade" or the "Six Healing Sounds" are often fine, as they have the intent of "harmonizing" the body.  But an exercise like "bone marrow breathing" or inhaling Qi to "store" in the lower abdomen center will likely have negative results - as the symbolism of what we're imagining is incongruous with what our immune system needs to be doing..

In the 8 Section Brocade (which you can learn in my "Alchemical Immersion 108" course starting again this January) there's even a movement called "jolting the body to shake away illness" - which Sifu recommended practicing at the first sign of a cold or flu.

Usually, I tell my students if they're feeling off just to take a break from their practice, or do a little mild Tai Chi to keep things moving.  Rest is especially important and can be a potent energy exercise of its own. 

A colleague of mine is fond of saying "the best qigong is 8 hours of sleep!"  If the body is trying to fight something, it can be a good time to catch up on any "missed sessions" of this most powerful sleep gong!

Finally, there are exercises in the repertoire that "lead Qi to the surface" and I've included many of them in my online mini-course: Seasonal Qigong Therapy for the Autumn check it out an enjoy!

Make sure to subscribe and stay tuned for part 2!!!