As the temperatures begin to rise—we feel the heat of summer—the maximum yang season.

When our inner-fire is in balance, we can feel creative, productive, energetic, and joyful. When we lean too far into the fire, we can feel depleted, exhausted, and we want nothing to do with anything or anyone. When this happens, we need to give more care to our hearts, the primary organ of fire.

Heart Care
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Qigong, our heart is considered the sun and the supreme sovereign of the body. It not only governs the physical, but also our emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. It is literally where life pulses through us until we die.

Our heart also inspires us to feel into joy, to live life fully, sincerely and authentically. 

It is more challenging to feel our heart inspirations when we lose a loved one, experience heartbreak or betrayal. It is not impossible, it’s I-M-possible. (I Am). It doesn’t happen overnight, instead it’s through gently guiding our heart back to a steady flame.

Qigong can help bring back our flame, and keep it steady without the fire getting out-of-hand.

PHYSICALLY: The circular movements used in qigong, can soften our hard edges, as we engage in softness, and smooth flowing movements. It supports our cardiovascular system, by increasing the blood flow. Often, when practicing qigong, you may feel your hands and feet become warmer—the Qi is sent to areas of the body that are furthest from the heart.

MENTALLY: Qigong helps us quite our mind, by sensing and feeling, and letting our thinking mind take a back seat. When we quiet our mind, we begin to trust ourselves more—bringing the power back to within us. We feel stronger with soft edges.

SPIRITUALLY: Qigong practices that focus with the heart, begin to awaken our shen (our divine spirit). It gives our hearts a creative spark—a flame that awakens us on the inside. We begin to remember that life is being done for us and not to us.

Alan Watt’s reminds us, “There will always be suffering. But we must not suffer over the suffering.”

And, when our heart is balanced we feel light and expansive, this is our natural state. Qigong helps support this remembering in our being.

Scientifically Speaking
According to The HeartMath Institute’s 2015 Science of the Heart, Volume 2 research overview:

“The heart is the most powerful source of electromagnetic energy in the human body, producing the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of any of the body’s organs. The heart’s electrical field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain. This field, measured in the form of an electrocardiogram (ECG), can be detected anywhere on the surface of the body. Furthermore, the magnetic field produced by heart is more than 100 times greater in strength than the field generated by the brain and can be detected up to 3 feet away from the body, in all directions.”

The information from The HeartMath Institute is in Danielle LaPorte’s latest book, How To Be Loving, which I have highlighted almost every page!

Help keep a steady flame with your inner fire, and join us Friday night, June 23, 2023 to practice some heart qigong movements followed by a sound bath. Qigong + Sound Bath = JOY!