Class 4: Autumn Equinox Qigong: Cross-cultural Perspectives on finding Balance and ‘Lightening’ up your Day

Description

The Autumn Equinox is the day of equal balance of light and dark. It is symbolic of the day of finding one’s central equilibrium. We explore how various cross-cultural traditions celebrate the Autumn Equinox. The Great Mystery celebration in Greece at Eleusis and Epidaurus ritualizes the journey to the underworld that Persephone took and how she symbolizes the journey into the darkness and rebirth into light. Perspective and practices for developing ones’ central equilibrium and experience of inner light are explored.

 For example you’ll learn about:

• Contrasts between the Eastern and Western mystery traditions’ approaches to finding inner light and discovering one’s central equilibrium are discussed and practiced.

• Tai Chi/Qigong postures are mudras to bring balance into one’s life both physically and psychologically. For example, if one is inhibited in speaking up to authority figures, the “White Snake Sticks out its Tongue” mudra can be practiced as a speaking truth to power.

• Embodied metaphors lead to restoring psychological balance, for example if one’s desires are overly voracious one can practice the Tai Chi movement “Taming the Tiger.”

• Animal postures from Hua Tau’s animal frolics can be used to restore one’s energy from the imbalances created by civilized life. For example, the Deer lives on the boundary line between civilized and wild life. You’ll learn how deer antlers are chi extenders, deer jumping over the stream restores agility, deer Bagua reactivates the spiral of healing in your body.

• As part of your initiation into one of the Great Mysteries of East and West, you’ll learn about the importance of the Western Alchemical dictum, “Perform no alchemical operation until you first reduce the substances in the alchemical vessel to the ”prima materia.” You’ll experience how the practice of Wuji Qigong is an entryway into the prima materia, and how this can be used for your healing, relaxation, and cultivation of central equilibrium.

• The hieroglyphic alphabet of Tai Chi movements is described as a way to embody ancient healing elements and achieve central equilibrium. Specific movements and their purposes are detailed, such as the White Snake posture for throat chakra balance.

• Qigong movements for balancing excessive and deficient energy are discussed and practiced such as Tai Chi Ruler. Ocean Wave breathing etc.

After an initial lecture, the Bodymind Healing Qigong set is practiced to experience the topic of the day. To see the PDF description of the 9 sets of Bodymind Healing Qigong Extended Short Form set CLICK HERE.