Our Practice: The Snake & Turtle Qigong series is an ancient and effective method of healing the body through gentle movement and quiet attention of the mind.
This practice and instruction will emphasize healing of the spine & back (the snake & the turtle) and is also a balanced sequence appropriate for the daily enjoyment of most people.
About Me: My name is John Blue, and I'm an experienced qigong instructor with a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I live and train in a Daoist monastery where I am a disciple, a lineage holder in methods of Taiji Quan and Qigong, and am a dedicated instructor of meditation.
Dedication: All credit for passing on the Snake & Turtle method goes to Shoko Zama. I know that many people out there share my gratitude for her generosity.
We can thank the famous Master ZhiCheng for teaching me how to guide students to gain internal skills and deepen their healing capacity. (TaoistStudiesInstitute.org)
on a scale of 1-10 i am at a 10 in terms of being ready to heal. however, my actions or inactions at time show im probably more at like 6-8. I did not choose a lower number because i know that if i want to live my best life i have to be healed or at least diligent about it. and i am determined to live my best life full of spiritual power and vitality.
also, if i want to use chi healing one day to help heal others, i really need to be healthy and balanced myself. so in the second case here its not more of a want but a need. I need to be healthy to make an energetic difference or impact on others
hey john quick question when u get a chance. so lately in my meditation practices (at least in the few ones where my mind is sufficiently relaxed and quiet enough) i'll switch my intent to becoming aware of the breath again, and i'll notice im not inhaling or exhaling, yet i find my abdomen is expanding and contracting in more ways than one all on its own, like im not doing anything or trying to make it move in any way. Is this related to " form in the formlessness" talked about in the dao or something? is this more akin to the breath of no breath or embryonic breathing but not quite either of these (because at this point im aware of the breath?) can you provide me a little more insight and understanding plz here thank u
Good question amigo! It's a good sign when the breath becomes so subtle and comfortable that it's difficult to feel. It falls below the level of most physical sensation, and only the qi movement is noticeable. The belly movements could be lots of things, so I'm not sure how to give advice without seeing it move. It could be a stage of the dantian being formed and awakened, a symptom of a change in your breath patterns, or simply gas. (I'm serious. I've treated a woman who had wild movements in her abdomen, and it turned out to be gas.) As long as your mind and your emotions are remaining deeply settled, and it's not doing things like hyperactivating your sex drive or making you feel wired, it's probably a good sign. Just remember to keep your mind quiet and your heart peaceful. Don't chase desires or pump up your ideas of "self." Then your qi will continue to sink and accumulate with your practices. Also, remember to circulate your qi somewhat after your sitting sessions, so it doesn't stagnate and cause blockages. You go this!😃
@@SnakeAndTurtleQigong thank you for this detailed response. i still sometimes experience my sex drive go up when practicing. but i think that is due to as you put, "pumping up ideas about self" happy for continued practice!
anyone just getting here. the first 10 minutes or so is just quiet sitting so if ur following along, dont keep looking up to check to see if he has moved on until about the 10 min mark
Nice video! Useful reminder to continue doing the FSM as a main practice. For people who find Turtle in the Rain too hard, the FSM seems an ideal replacement. Hope you're all well ❤
This active relaxation we are doing is my bread and butter, i walwasy return to it. i like how your guidance through it is a little more in depth than my approach. do you also have videos where you go over postural or alignment points in detail of all the joints and bones or the entire skeletal structure?
Great question! I do have some videos detailing standing and seated posture, but it can actually be a hindrance to try and over-control the position of the body. Because eventually the alignments happen on the inside and become very flexible. It’s more important to learn to become very soft and open and through to qi flow, and learn to sink the qi. 😁🙏☯️
loved this john. will be adding this to the collection. possibly my new morning qigong exercise. or in addition to. thanks for putting this playlist together. made things a lot easier!
So glad you like it! This was the set that straightened my very crooked spine and healed a number of my major health problems. The instructor who taught me told me I had to teach this series. It’s the major reason that I am putting this sequence together. If I’m going to do it, I want to teach it correctly. It’s probably a task that will take me a decade, but I hope to pass on something valuable! 💙
I sometimes forget you were in medical school. It goes to show what tremendous dedication and faith you had in qigong and your own healing to leave medical school behind, in search of something more true
I also think a lot about the difference between "tone" and "tension". How a muscle can have a healthy muscle tone, without that involving restriction. This also reminds me of some bodywork I've studied that involves a passive shortening of muscles in order soften tension. I think about that in this context how even though a muscle is shortening as a part of that movement, it can shorten in a way that softens it rather than tightens it... Really really appreciate your insights as they have been serving as great signposts and reminders on my own cultivation journey!
