Holding up the Heavens

Holding up the Heavens like a Pillar is the 1st of the 8 movements in 8 Pieces of Brocade. This movement is excellent for digestion and helps prevent/treat frozen shoulder.

Tips:
1. Really stretch your abdomen.
2. Relax your head as you drop it back.
3. Bend your knees slightly and sink your tailbone into the earth.
4. Really press out to the sides and you sweep your arms down.

One of the cornerstones of qigong is the qigong flow called “8 Pieces of Brocade.” This flow moves every muscle, joint, lymph node, and organ in your body. It opens up meridians so qi can flow throughout your body, helping it rejuvenate, strengthen, and heal.

In addition to the internal benefits, the postures that make up the 8 movements give you tone, lean muscles. They also enhance movement in the lymphatic system, and boost your lung capacity.

The 8 movements are:
1. Holding up the heavens like a pillar
2. Drawing a bow to shoot an arrow
3. Penetrating heaven and earth
4. Wise owl gazing backwards
5. Sway the head and shake the tail
6. Punching the fists and glaring
7. Moving hands down the legs
8. Bouncing on the toes

Before and after several movements, you will also see a movement called sinking the qi. That means that you are bringing your qi (energy) to the area behind and below your belly button (the lower dantian).