25-Day Qigong Challenge Day 18

25-Day Qigong Challenge Day 18.

Welcome to Day 18 of your 25-Day Qigong Challenge. Today, your focus is on nurturing your liver health through the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, the liver is considered one of the most important organs, responsible for regulating the flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body and supporting healthy digestion.

Modern diets and lifestyle choices can often put strain on the liver, impacting its ability to function optimally and leading to digestive issues. Through targeted qigong exercises, we aim to show some love to this vital organ, enabling it to perform its duties effectively and promoting overall well-being.

What does TCM say about the liver?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is considered one of the most vital organs, playing a central role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Here are some key aspects of how TCM views the liver:

1. Regulation of Qi: According to TCM principles, the liver is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body. When Qi becomes stagnant or blocked, it can lead to various health issues, including digestive problems, emotional imbalances, and even physical pain.
2. Emotional Health: In TCM, the liver is closely associated with the smooth flow of emotions. When the liver Qi is harmonious, we experience emotional balance, resilience, and adaptability. However, imbalances in liver Qi can manifest as mood swings, irritability, or feelings of frustration and anger.
3. Digestive Function: TCM recognizes the liver’s role in supporting healthy digestion. When the liver is functioning optimally, it ensures the smooth movement of Qi through the digestive system, promoting efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients. Conversely, liver imbalances can lead to symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, and irregular bowel movements.
4. Blood Storage and Regulation: The liver is responsible for storing and regulating the blood in TCM. It stores blood during periods of rest and releases it when the body needs it for physical activity or other functions. An imbalance in liver blood can lead to symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, vision problems, or muscle cramps.
5. Detoxification: TCM views the liver as the primary organ of detoxification, responsible for filtering toxins from the blood and eliminating them from the body. Supporting liver health is essential for maintaining the body’s natural detoxification processes and promoting overall vitality.

Overall, TCM emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy liver to support optimal physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Practices such as qigong, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary adjustments are often employed to support liver health and balance liver Qi.

What are the benefits of Padma Mudra (Lotus Mudra)?

The Padma Mudra, or Lotus Mudra, fosters feelings of unconditional love and compassion.

Here are some ways in which practicing the Padma Mudra contributes to cultivating unconditional love:

1. Heart Opening: The Padma Mudra is often practiced in front of the heart center, symbolically opening and connecting to the heart chakra, which is associated with love, compassion, and empathy. By focusing on the heart center and holding the mudra, you may experience a sense of warmth and expansion in the chest, fostering feelings of love and compassion towards oneself and others.
2. Inner Peace: The gesture of the lotus, with its roots in the mud at the bottom of a pond and its blossoms reaching towards the sun, symbolizes the journey from darkness to light and the unfolding of spiritual awareness. By meditating on this symbolism while holding the Padma Mudra, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace, acceptance, and equanimity, which are essential aspects of unconditional love.
3. Connection to Divinity: In many spiritual traditions, the lotus is considered a sacred symbol of divine purity and enlightenment. By embodying the lotus through the Padma Mudra, you may deepen their connection to the divine or universal consciousness, recognizing the inherent love and interconnectedness that permeates all of creation.
4. Self-Reflection: The practice of mudras often involves a meditative focus on the hands and their symbolic significance. Holding the Padma Mudra encourages self-reflection and introspection, inviting you to explore their own capacity for love and compassion, as well as any barriers or limitations that may hinder the expression of unconditional love.
5. Enhanced Relationships: By cultivating feelings of unconditional love and compassion within yourself, you may naturally extend these qualities to their relationships with others, fostering deeper connections, understanding, and empathy in their interactions.

VIDEO INDEX
0:00 | What emotions are some of the biggest barriers to happiness?
0:35 | What are the livers detoxification functions? Why do your feet need to be firmly rooted on the ground when doing qigong for the liver?
1:00 | Coming into Your Space
2:20 | Spinal Cord Breathing
4:40 | Knocking on the Door of Life What is the path of the liver channel? Why are the legs important for liver detoxification?
5:35 | Opening the Qi
6:51 | One-armed Pillar
8:15 | Thrusting Fist with Angry Eyes How does opening the eyes benefit the liver?
9:45 | Repulsing the Monkey with Vocalized Liver Healing Sound (Shoo) How does the medical qigong liver healing sound benefit the liver?
12:20 | Standing Liver Whispered Healing Sound (Shhh) What healing sounds calms the emotions of anger and irritation?
15:00 | Going Within and Closing the Qigong Practice
17:00 | What organ system harms the liver? What role do expectations in creating anger and frustration?
18:15 | Padma Mudra Gesture of the Lotus