Second Gong Zhineng Qigong - Body and Mind Method
Definition Body and mind methods.
The method of body and mind is the name of the second Gong Zhineng Qigong (Xíng Shén Zhuāng 形 神 庄). In Chinese spelling: Xing means “physical body”, Shen means “consciousness or mental activity”, and Zhuang means “body posture” (in this context). The name means Jing (Xing), Qi and Shen posture training. The intention of this exercise is to connect consciousness with the body as a holistic unity through body postures (body movements) by following the mind’s instructions. We call this method Xíng Shén Hùn Yuán (形 神 混元 body and mind joined together). The mind and body method works on Xing Shen Hun Yuan inner Hun Yuan.
In Qigong practice, when we cultivate external Qi, it is called external Hun Yuan. When we cultivate inner Qi, we call it inner Hun Yuan. External Hun Yuan refers to the transmutation of natural (external) Qi with the intention of mind, it allows the body to easily absorb natural Qi and be consumed by the body. Because the process of transmutation occurs outside the body, we call it external Hun Yuan. Inner Hunyuan means that the mind intention connects Qi inside the body, allowing it to penetrate into the body and internal organs and unite with the skin, muscles, tendons, bones, meridians and internal organs.
In the beginning, Xíng Shén Hùn Yuán requires that you mix your mind and body activities as one.
In normal body exercise, although the body’s movements are directed by the mind’s intention, the mind’s intention is not focused on the movement of the body, but on the purpose of the movement. This is an outward intention. Exercise your body and mind requires that Shen (consciousness) be fully focused on penetrating into muscles, tendons and bones. Because Qi follows Shen, Qi following penetrates inside the places that are permeated by Shen, hence the distribution of Qi within the body changes. At the cellular level, Qi is usually concentrated in cell membranes. During the concentration of Shen, the amount of Qi also increases. When Shen penetrates into the body’s structures, Qi follows her. Gradually, internal Qi increases to the point where intracellular Qi and Qi cell membranes cannot be distinguished and become known as Internal Shen Hun Yuan.
Characteristics of the Body and Mind Method.
1. High level of difficulty
Most of the movements in the Body and Mind method come from Fight Qigongs and traditional dynamic Qigongs. Including the opening movement, the whole method includes 11 separate exercises. There are no strong relationships between them, so they can be trained separately. The movements of these exercises, when isolated or divided into small sections, are mostly simple and schematic with a few rotational movements. Because the method was designed to correct body postures and Qi deficiencies caused by everyday life, these movements may seem strange compared to the movements we make every day.
This exercise also trains small joints and back muscles that do not work in everyday life. At the beginning, when we practice correctly, we can feel that the movements are unnatural. To maintain a correct posture, some movements require the use of force, and after exercise, pain and fatigue may occur. However, they are necessary to loosen your tendons and ligaments and to open the Meridians.
2. Balanced and comprehensive movements
The Body and Mind Method emphasizes body movements. The structure is versatile and designed to train every part of the body. It is divided into three sections:
Body:
head, neck, chest, back, ribs, stomach, hips and tailbone.
Upper limbs: arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers.
Lower limbs: hip joints, knees, ankles, feet, toes.
The movements balance the left and right sides, front and back, and the top and bottom
body part. They work to stretch and squeeze muscles and tendons, and to relax and make joints more flexible. Following the mind intention, we train almost every part of the body.
Practicing this method will balance Qi and embellish the body.