Summer is usually a time of warm weather and expansion, while winter is usually a time of cold weather and contraction. Our bodies generally respond to each season differently right down to the gene level. A recent study, published today in Nature Communications, shows that as many as one-fifth of all genes in blood cells undergo seasonal changes in expression.
Genes often are seen as immutable, but a lot of our body’s workings depend upon which genes are translated when. In the winter, the study found, your blood contains a denser blend of immune responders, while summer veins swim with fat-burning, body-building, water-retaining hormones.
Individually we may have certain preferences based on our constitution and environmental factors. We may prefer different foods, temperatures and activities depending on the season.
Chinese medicine often considers the season when assessing an illness or when making lifestyle recommendations. Qi Gong exercises are often practiced in conjunction with the season and the weather. One can maximize the benefits of specific Qi Gong practices based on a particular season and even the time of day. One of my favorites to practice during the summer is a set known as the Yi Jin Jing.
The Yi Jin Jing is translated as the Muscle-Sinews or Muscle-Tendon Classic. As the name implies this set of exercises focuses movements and breathing to transform the body’s muscles and connective tissue.
Like the Ba Duan Jin, the Yi Jin Jing has stood the test of time as one of the top sets of therapeutic exercises to build strength and flexibility, help the flow of energy to your organs and help you look and feel younger and more confident.
There are different legends as to origins of these exercises and there are many different variations. Many masters created their own versions because the Yi Jin Jing was a well-known set and it would attract many students. One of the legends is that the set was brought to the Shaolin Temple from Bodhidharma or Da Mo who was a patriarch of Zen/Ch’an Buddhism, originally from India. He observed that the monks appeared frail and weak and wanted to share these exercises to help make them stronger.
Some of the exercises have a Yoga-like feel as you move through them. This set is more physical and rigorous than other popular qigong sets but have very tangible results and has been part of my self-healing practice.
I am excited to share these exercises with you and am having a SUMMER SALE (50% OFF) on both my Vimeo on Demand and DVD instructional video.
DVD: Yi Jin Jing Muscle-Sinews or Muscle-Tendon Classic
Online Class on Demand / Vimeo Yi Jin Jing Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic — Qigong Exercises
Recent Comments