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Embracing the Tree (Iron Shirt Qi Gong)

Root to the earth and strengthen your structure

Tao Health Qi Gong - build good structure and root to the earth with Iron Shirt Qi Gong

Embracing the Tree

Embracing the Tree is a very standard posture in Qi Gong which is taught to students in many schools of Taoism.

In this exercise one practices 'rooting to the earth and standing like a tree'. This requires the correct posture and structural alignment, in order to be able to receive the earth energies through the feet and heavenly energy from above.

This posture is very good for building good structure, strengthening both physical and mental stamina. It clears blocked Qi in the body, allowing a better flow of Qi throughout the meridiens.

Initially one starts with a few minutes (as even this can be quite difficult for beginners), eventually building up to half an hour, an hour... the choice is yours!

 

About Iron Shirt Qi Gong

The Taoist Masters of old realized that in order to be strong and healthy, humans need to have a balanced flow of Qi and strong physical structure. Our organs, bones, cells and tissues need to be clean of toxins and full of free-flowing Qi (life force) and we need to be able to stand on the ground in alignment with the forces of heaven and earth.

Iron Shirt teaches how to create good structure and posture, which balances and enhances the flow of Qi in our body. During Iron Shirt practice, the tissues and organs in our body also become insulated with layers of Qi, which both protects them from damage and keeps them in their correct position. Thus we create an 'Iron Shirt' (of Qi) in our body.

Iron Shirt also teaches us to root to the ground so that we are properly 'earthed'. This earthing has many benefits, including creating a deep and lasting experience of safety and support.

The structural and physical strength we develop through Iron Shirt Qi Gong also has the added beneficial side-effect of creating strong and healthy mental and emotional strength. Thus, not only do we build our physical stamina, but a total strength throughout all layers of our being.

 

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