Sprouting Needs Gentleness

Today marked the real first day of spring for me, as I was able to meditate and do my practice outside!

While meditating, I was enraptured by the sounds of birds around me and the warm breeze, both of which felt so gentle.

I then contemplated the qualities of the spring wood element in Chinese medicine. which relates to the energy that runs the liver and gallbladder. This energy, when balanced, provides harmony, gentleness, and inspiration, and supports the sprouting nature of growth.

I meditated on the aspects of gentleness in relation to growth. Too often in our culture, growth can look aggressive and demanding. But how would it look if it were gentle?

Nature is gentle with growth, as sprouts are vulnerable. What if we approached our own growth as vulnerable sprouts, holding it with patience and love?

With growth, there often comes fear. As we grow, we move from the familiar to the unknown, which can be scary. By understanding this pattern, we're not so entangled in fear, but are the container that can hold it without engaging in it.

This gentle energy is what I love about incorporating Qigong into my yoga practice. It requires a gentle focus to move energy within the body that's in sync with the breath and flow of movement. It truly brings us into a harmonious feeling of well-being.

When I took my first qigong class, I thought, "This is much simpler than yoga, but somehow more advanced." It requires us to go slower and concentrate.

Concentrating on moving energy through the body along specific meridian patterns is an ancient healing practice known as Yi Qi Li, which guides energy with consciousness.

The focused mind leads to a meditative mind.

A meditative mind is gentle, which creates a harmonious flow within.

Hope to breathe with you soon.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie