One of the attendees was a body builder interested in using the slow movements to help flush lactic acid out of the muscles after an intense workout. I suggested to him that focusing the mind using qigong before exercise would result in a more efficient workout--where the mind goes the body will follow.
One person attending the workshop was more interested in the meditation component than the physical. It seems his doctor has prescribed meditation to help with his attention deficit disorder but he not only has trouble focusing his attention, even staying still for more than a few seconds is problematic. He had read my flyer about the mindful component Fierce Qigong and wanted to learn more it.
I worked one-on-one with him after the workshop and he was pleased to learn that he could be intensely mindful, even if for only a few seconds, when he focused on his body moving through the space surrounding him. I suggested to him that with practice, he would be able to meditate for several minutes rather than seconds.
One person attending the workshop was more interested in the meditation component than the physical. It seems his doctor has prescribed meditation to help with his attention deficit disorder but he not only has trouble focusing his attention, even staying still for more than a few seconds is problematic. He had read my flyer about the mindful component Fierce Qigong and wanted to learn more it.
I worked one-on-one with him after the workshop and he was pleased to learn that he could be intensely mindful, even if for only a few seconds, when he focused on his body moving through the space surrounding him. I suggested to him that with practice, he would be able to meditate for several minutes rather than seconds.
It might not sound like a lot to you but it's a big benefit to people with his concern. In my regular classes, I work with ADHD sufferers and people diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. They all seem to agree that movement meditation works best for them.
With bi-polar disorder, the movement is beneficial, but in different way, depending on whether one is depressed or manic. If depressed, the movement helps to elevate mood and break the focus on the negative aspects. When manic, the movement helps to bring calm and restores a sense of well-being and control.
For people with medical conditions, such as ADHD and bi-polar syndrome, the intent component of qigong becomes very important. I often tell students that intent is not to be consciously considered during qigong practice but something that is held in "background consciousness." This concept generated questions in both workshops.
If you imagine that you are learning a new movement, one you haven't heard of or seen in a youtube video, then you realize that you will be paying careful attention to what the instructor is doing and saying as well as paying attention to the movement of your own body. Your consciousness will be filled with that attention.
With bi-polar disorder, the movement is beneficial, but in different way, depending on whether one is depressed or manic. If depressed, the movement helps to elevate mood and break the focus on the negative aspects. When manic, the movement helps to bring calm and restores a sense of well-being and control.
For people with medical conditions, such as ADHD and bi-polar syndrome, the intent component of qigong becomes very important. I often tell students that intent is not to be consciously considered during qigong practice but something that is held in "background consciousness." This concept generated questions in both workshops.
If you imagine that you are learning a new movement, one you haven't heard of or seen in a youtube video, then you realize that you will be paying careful attention to what the instructor is doing and saying as well as paying attention to the movement of your own body. Your consciousness will be filled with that attention.
What you will not be thinking about is your intention to learn a new qigong move. You are "aware" of this intent but it isn't in your foreground consciousness. You are aware of--or perhaps I could say that you are holding--that intent in background consciousness. No matter what the heart's desire, it can held in the same way.
To hold intent in foreground consciousness will result in striving to accomplish something, which is the same thing as striving to change things as they are, and that would be a violation of true mindfulness: paying close attention without judgment and with striving to change things as they are.
It may take a little practice but in my experience, results come more quickly that I expect.
To hold intent in foreground consciousness will result in striving to accomplish something, which is the same thing as striving to change things as they are, and that would be a violation of true mindfulness: paying close attention without judgment and with striving to change things as they are.
It may take a little practice but in my experience, results come more quickly that I expect.
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