If you suffer from back pain, qigong for a strong spine is a very effective practice. A strong spine is a key part of peak performance. Use this guide to get your spine in great condition, through movement, breath, and intention. Try the full FREE video below by White Tiger Qigong’s senior instructor, Natalia to have a glimpse of how qigong for a strong spine works.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an ancient practice that was created to cultivate energy or qi. Qi or “vital energy” is the energy that allows life both within the body and the universe. In the body, qi allows body functions such as the function of the organs, mind, and body connection, and healthy functions of systems of the body. Through qigong, we work on energy through movement, breath, and intention. This helps remove blockages and stagnation which allows a smoother flow of energy.
Importance of Spine Strength
The spine is one of the most important information gateways in the body. It allows information from the body to the mind and vice versa. When the spine is not in healthy condition this can affect many functions of the body.
Everyday Lifestyle and its effect on the Spine
Our everyday lifestyle may affect our spine strength. Pressure in everyday movement may compress the spine. Movements such as weight lifting may put a lot of pressure on the body and this may affect spine vitality. When the spine is compressed, it causes blockages in the energy pathways and in turn causes stagnation of energy. Heavy exercises such as weight lifting are not the only cause of spine compression. Lack of movement may also cause compression of the spine. For example, someone who works a desk job and sits around all day may cause compression in the spine because of a lack of movement.
The spine is a fundamental component of good posture, a healthy spine, and body alignment. A healthy spine can help you build more flexibility in all areas of your body, strengthen muscles, increase mobility, and promote good posture. The more flexible your spine is, the better you’ll feel throughout your day.
Qigong for a Strong Spine Exercise
A strong spine is a key part of peak performance. Qigong for a strong spine is designed to help the body balance and develop physical strength, and improve mental focus and flexibility. Through these routines, we work on energy through movement, breath, and intention. We want to remove blockages and stagnation which allows a smoother flow of energy. Qigong is in general also a very effective practice to strengthen the bones.
Meridian Qigong for a Strong Spine
Heavenly Pillar 1 (Looking Up and Down)
This qigong for strong spine exercise helps flex and lengthen the spine. It releases tension in the spine by gently tilting the upper body forward and backward. This serves as a gentle massage to the spine. In this exercise, we tilt the head and the hips as we stretch the spine forward and back allowing it to decompress and lengthen the spine.
Heavenly Pillar 2 (Turtle Looks Behind)
The qigong exercise, Turtle Looks Behind, helps twist the spine gently. This helps release any knots and ties that bring a lack of smoothness and tension in the spine. This qigong for strong spine exercise helps the spine return to its natural alignments.
Girdle Vessel Rotation
The Girdle Vessel is an energetic pathway like a belt that goes around the hip area. Doing this qigong exercise helps loosen up the hips and the coccyx (tailbone) which connects to the hips. Doing this qigong for strong spine exercises helps release any tension at the bottom of the spine.
Diamonds (Around the World)
The Diamonds is a great exercise that helps lengthen the spine by moving the upper body to its full range. This helps loosen up the spine and at the same time strengthens it. Doing this qigong for strong spine exercise serves as an active stretch that balances strength and decompression of the spine.
Two Hands Holding the Kidneys
Two Hands Holding the Kidneys help flex and stretch the spine. The forward and backward bend helps strengthen and makes the spine more supple and “bamboo-like”. This qigong for strong spine exercise also helps elongate and decompress the spine.
Opening the Heart to the Sky
Opening the Heart to the Sky is a gentle movement that is great for the upper body. The upper part of the spine may tend to lose correct posture, especially for those who slouch a lot due to sitting all day. This may affect mostly those who work at a desk job. Doing gentle qigong for strong spine exercises helps to combat the wrong posture which may eventually turn into osteoporosis as one ages.
8 Trigram Qigong for a Spine Strength
Dragon Whips its Tail
The Dragon Whips it’s Tail has a gentle wave-like movement that helps angulate the spine. This serves as a balancing and realigning exercise which also brings in more qi or energy flow in the spine. The Dragon Whips its Tail is a wonderful qigong exercise that can help strengthen your spine. This helps align the body, realign your shoulders and arms, and improve your overall posture.
5 Element Qigong for a Spine Strength
Tiger Qigong
The Tiger Qigong is a powerful qigong exercise that helps flex and stretches the spine. The gentle movement of the upper body in Tiger Qigong helps pump up the energy in the spine. This helps regulate the production of fluid in the spine which helps in smoother movements. The Tiger Qigong connects to the Metal element in Chinese medicine, which is beneficial for a stronger spine. This is an all-around qigong treatment, which focuses on your spirit and body. It can be used for the prevention and treatment of pain, problems with the back and neck, spasms in the joints, strokes, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Learn more about Qigong for a Strong Spine
If you want to learn more about qigong for a strong spine check out our courses below. Doing qigong regularly will maximize the benefits for the spine. Click the links in the banners below to learn more details about our courses.
