Wellbeing

Refresh Yourself

Struggling to fight fatigue? These Qi Gong exercises can help reinvigorate your tired mind

“If we look at Chinese medicine and Taoism, which are the roots of qi gong, it would solve a great deal of the problems we have in modern day life, including fatigue, and lack of, or disturbed sleep,” says Cass Clayton, teacher and specialist in Qi Gong. “In the practice, we understand that thoughts are energy that is shaped by our mind and certain thought patterns can be very draining. When we’re conflicted in our thoughts, it creates tension and stress in our body as well as in our energy itself. By working with our energy and being aware of it, we can have a huge impact on our life.” Here are four simple exercises that can boost your energy and get you started:

1. To balance your energy

Start with your heels flat on the floor. Rise up on your tiptoes and take a deep breath in as you raise your hands above your head. The palms of your hands should touch. Then exhale slowly and drop your heels to the floor. Shake your body and exhale slowly. Repeat for another four to nine times.

2. To wake up the physical body and circulate energy

Form your hands into fists and knock (clench your hand into a loose fist and tap) gently at first up and down your sternum, knocking harder until you find a comfortable level that doesn’t cause pain. Knock from your collarbone down to the base of the sternum and back up, taking deep slow inhales and exhales whilst doing so. Then knock to your right shoulder, down the inner arm and back up the outer arm on both sides, one at a time. Breathe slowly while doing so. Repeat four to five times.

3. For energising and waking the energy further

Knock on the lower part of your back up to your kidneys taking deep breaths. Then knock down the outside of the leg working your way down, and then back up the inside.

4. For clearing mental fatigue

Start with both hands by your heart. Take a slow deep breath in, then as you exhale, extend one hand downwards with your palm facing the floor and one hand upwards with your palm facing the sky until both arms are at full extension. Pause for a moment and then inhale, as you do bring your hands back to the centre, and then exhale and push them apart with the opposite hand going upwards. Repeat the exercise nine to 10 times while taking deep breaths.