Life Force Gathering
As I was speeding through my morning yoga practice two days ago, a praying mantis perched on my shoulder. I brushed it off, focused to wrap up the asana routine and head to work. I was behind schedule, and had an awfully long laundry list to tend to. I snaked my way from child’s pose into up-dog and here it was again, clad in its bright green attire, gazing at me, signaling that I needed a pause. A symbol of contemplative stillness in all cultures, the praying mantis comes to us when we have flooded ourselves with so much activities or chaos that we can no longer bear the still small voice within because of the external din we’ve created. It may also be a sign to be mindful of the choices we’re making and confirm that these choices are congruent. In the ancient Chinese system of well-being and longevity Qi-Gong, the mantis reveals the ability to blend with the environment and become invisible, teaching us how to still the outer mind, and tune within as we transcend the linear time and move according to the rhythm of nature and inner instinct.
20 years of regular Qi-Gong practice have allowed me to harness the massive power of “Qi,” or life force, in Yoga known as “prana,” that permeates all living matter and gives sustenance to all growth. Balancing the yielding “ying” and the piercing “yang” and accessing the golden threshold of latent creativity we learn to transform the all pervading force into internal power, as we follow the patterns of natural recurrence and universal flow. Our feet become the roots of floating lotus flowers, our arms turn into willow branches and clouds, our back assumes the shield of a tortoise, and our head opens into a resonator, suspended and free. The body naturally reflects the surrounding environment, uninvolved in form, acting spontaneously and in accordance with organic creation. Cultivating the positive and the negative, the light and the shadow simultaneously we are able to attain equilibrium and breathe in harmony with all living beings with a sense of sincerity and sweetness. Our mind clears, our body naturally relaxes, our gaze moves into the heart, our spirit soars as it grounds. We make time to marvel the little wonders of every day and decipher meaningful coincidences.
Had it not been for the tiny praying mantis that day I wouldn’t have had the chance to heed the call, to stretch time and “hear the voice of the infinite in the small.” If a praying mantis comes your way, don’t hesitate, pause and reflect, discover the potency in the latency. Inspired by the ancient shamans, Taoists and Buddhists seek peace and harmony in the solitude of nature.
Life Force Yogea Breathing
This Yogea breathing routine blends various techniques from Qi-Gong meditation and martial arts to instill a sense of inner alignment with the forces of nature and the divine. Balancing the seaming opposites of male and female, touching the Earth and Sky, yielding and radiating, tuning to the inflow and outflow of energy you will be able to balance both brain hemispheres, pacify your nervous system, stimulate the systemic functions of the body’s organs, and experience an overall purifying, cleansing, revitalizing and rejuvenating effect. As a result, mental clarity and serenity, and a deeper and more restorative sleep are attained. The exercises improve circulation and catalyze the body’s regulatory mechanisms promoting self healing and detoxification. This leads to more effective digestion and elimination, and ultimately to weight loss. The skin clears, and a joyous and optimistic disposition naturally ensues. The practices spark intuition and creativity, and awaken the brain and being, honing the ability to think from the gut, and feel from the mind. On a spiritual level the practice is accompanied by synchronicities that redirect our life, infusing it with trust and inner guidance.
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