Staying Asleep Qigong Essentials. Discover practical techniques for deep relaxation and inner peace in “Staying Asleep Qigong Essentials,” led by James Saper, a respected Qigong Master. In this straightforward video lesson, Saper shares effective methods for maintaining a calm state even amid life’s pressures.
Learn how to use simple movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to promote restful sleep and recharge your body and mind. Saper’s approach blends ancient Chinese principles with modern insights, offering accessible tools for managing stress and achieving a sense of tranquility. You will also enjoy his enlightening stories and imagery.
Whether you’re new to Qigong or looking to deepen your practice, Saper’s instruction will help you harness your body’s natural healing capacities and cultivate lasting relaxation.
What does Chinese medicine (TCM) say about staying asleep?
In Chinese medicine, the ability to stay asleep all night is often seen as a reflection of the balance and harmony within the body’s systems. According to Chinese medical theory, various factors can disrupt sleep, including imbalances in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin and Yang energies, and disturbances in the organs.
Here are some key points from Chinese medicine regarding staying asleep all night:
- Balance of Yin and Yang: Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of the balance between Yin (nourishing, cooling) and Yang (active, warming) energies in maintaining health. When these energies are in harmony, sleep tends to be deeper and more restful.
- Regulation of Qi and Blood: Qi and Blood circulation throughout the body play a vital role in sleep. When Qi flows smoothly and Blood is abundant and nourishing, it supports the body’s ability to relax and sleep deeply. Imbalances or blockages in Qi and Blood can lead to disturbances in sleep.
- Organ Health: Each organ in Chinese medicine is associated with specific functions beyond its physiological role. For example, the Heart is linked to the Shen (spirit), and disturbances in Heart Qi can manifest as insomnia or restless sleep. Similarly, imbalances in the Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys can also impact sleep quality.
- External Influences: Chinese medicine considers external factors such as environment, lifestyle, and emotional well-being as influential in sleep patterns. Stress, overwork, excessive emotions, and environmental factors like temperature and noise can disrupt sleep and affect overall health.
- Diet and Lifestyle: Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits in supporting good sleep. Avoiding stimulating foods and activities before bedtime, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and practicing relaxation techniques like Qigong or meditation are often recommended.
Overall, Chinese medicine views staying asleep all night, or sleep quality, as a reflection of holistic health, where the body’s internal balance, external environment, and lifestyle factors all play integral roles. Addressing imbalances through acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications can help promote better sleep and overall well-being according to Chinese medical principles.
VIDEO INDEX
0:00 | Having the right intention
1:25 | The Chinese word for intention Yi
4:30 | Review of the 4 components for sleep
6:45 | Clearing emotional heat
9:20 | Clearing metabolic heat
11:40 | The effect of qigong on staying asleep take longer to have an effect
13:45 | Warm-up
29:10 | Movements for sleep
30:00 | Natural respiration
33:00 | Point Massage
40:00 | Looking over the shoulders
41:40 | Clearing heart fire
44:45 | Opening and closing the middle dantian
46:50 | Three Lines meditation
Related Articles