How To Do Qigong Hsing-i Exercises

Qigong Hsing-I exercises are designed to relieve stress for those who feel overwhelmed by pressures in their every day life. These exercises are under the Tai Chi umbrella, which is dependent on stretching to allow for a more peaceful existence. These exercises should provide some relief right away but they get the best results when they are done on a daily basis. Do these exercises for about 15 minutes per day.

Step 1

Wake up your chi with gentle stretching in the opening move. Flex your knees slightly as you stand in the middle of a well-lit room or outside in the sunshine. Bend your elbows as your arms hang down and allow your hands to get within a few inches of each other at thigh level. Slowly raise your hands until they get to shoulder level, keeping them withing 2 to 3 inches of each other. This is your opening Qigong Hsing-I move.

Step 2

Bend your knees slightly and turn your body slightly to the left. Extend your left palm out and curl your fingers as if your were holding a ball. Slowly bring your hand in to your body and as you do this turn your body slowly to the right. As you start to twist your body past center and to the right, extend your right arm as you continue to twist. Reverse the movement once your right hand is fully extended. This movement is called holding the sun in one hand.

Step 3

Bend your knees slightly as you stand facing forward. Hold your hands at hip level with your hands open and your palms facing out. Bring your hands forward and start a small circle with them. Bring them up to your shoulders and then back down to your hips. Continue with this motion. This is called rowing on a calm lake.

Step 4

Stand up straight in the middle of a brightly lit room or outside in the sunshine. Extend your left foot in front of your right foot. Extend your arms outward and bend over at the waist at the same time. Turn your head to the right as you complete the movement. Come back up to the starting position and make the same movement to the left. Put your right foot in front of the left. The head turn at the end of the movement gives meaning to its name, which is gazing backward at the moon.