Relieve Depression and Sadness with Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers
Whilst taking part on Sifu's Chi Kung Healing course in Malaysia, among many other treasures I was introduced to this priceless gem of a Chi Kung pattern. The pattern is Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers and it is as beautiful as its name.
One of the qualities that makes this pattern special is that even practiced at the level of chi kung form only (low level chi kung) it will still bring you benefits. The main benefit is that it will help you to open your heart. When I use the word heart here I mean the Chinese medicine view of the heart and not the Western view of the heart. In Chinese medicine the heart is linked to the mind, the spirit (or Shen as it is referred to in Chinese Medicine) and it controls the way your brain thinks and feels. It affects:
- Your consciousness
- Your ability to articulate thoughts
- Your memory
- Your intelligence
- Your creativity
Depression is a classic example of closed heart, a dis-ease of the spirit and therefore Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers can bring relief. The heart in Chinese Medicine is called the Emperor and when it is open it benefits all of the emotions. So many illness's and dis-eases prevalent in our world today have at their root an emotional cause. Cutting edge and controversial research out of Germany by Dr. Hamer supports the belief that strong emotional shock can manifest years later as serious illness. According to Dr Hamer[1]:
the real cause of cancer and other diseases is an unexpected traumatic shock for which we are emotionally unprepared.
There is a saying that "All healing begins with the heart" and Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers is a great tool to enhance this healing.
Here's how to practice it
FORM
- Stand in an upright, balanced posture (wuji stance). Relax your body, let go of any emotions and clear your mind of all thoughts (fig 1).
- Smile from your Heart
- Bend forwards, tucking you chin into your chest, arms relaxed, palms about knee level (fig 2).
- Straighten your body upwards, opening your arms wide (fig 3).
- Continue bending your upper body backwards, opening your arms as wide as is comfortable and leaning your head backwards (fig 4).
- Not to fast, not to slow, mindfully begin bending your upper body forwards again (fig 5).
- Continue moving forwards, lowering your arms and tuck your chin into your chest (fig 6).
- Repeat steps 4 to 7 for about 10 - 15 repetitions.
- Let go, do nothing and enjoy your Chi/Qi/Energy flow for a few minutes.
- Gently bring your attention to just below your navel and allow any movements to come to a slow, graceful and gradual stop. Make sure you are standing upright and balanced (wuji stance and fig 7).
- Stand for a minute or so, mind clear of all thoughts and enjoy the stillness.
- Gently bring your attention back to the point just below your navel. Rub your hands together vigorously to make sure they are nice and warm and then dab your palms gently against your eyes. Next gently massage your face, head and neck with your hands. When you've finished, walk around briskly to complete the exercise.
Important Points:
- Always remember to work within your bodies current limitations. Pain and discomfort is a sign you are trying too hard. If you can only lean forwards slightly, or backwards slightly - that's fine for you.
- This pattern is not about touching your toes, you only need to bend forwards enough for your hands to be at about knee level. This is not Nourishing Kidneys you are practicing!
- Enjoy yourself.
BREATHING
Let your breathing be natural and relaxed. The important point is to make an audible, gentle "Haaaaaaaa" sound everytime you straighten up, open your arms and bend backwards (see figs 3 and 4).
Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers is very Shaolin. I.e. it is Simple, Direct and Effective. Keep it simple and above all enjoy it! Aim to practice it at least once a day, every day. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results.
If you have any questions about Butterfly Dancing in Front of Flowers, or want to share your experiences using this pattern, please feel free to contact me at: marcus at Shaolinchikung.co.uk (replace the "at" with an @ sign).
Kind regards
Marcus
References:[1] http://www.newmedicine.ca/
Press Backspace on your keyboard, Back arrow on the toolbar above or
The Shaolin Wahnam Institute