A simple exercise to energise, balance polarities, and encourage a state of flow and healing. As with most exercises, consistency of practice is key to reaping the most benefits. Why not see what even just a few minutes daily will do for you? You might be surprised!
Instructions:
Stand or sit comfortably. Place your awareness on your heart for a few moments as you breathe in a relaxed and easy manner.
When you are ready, breathe in slowly and deeply. As you are inhaling, visualize a column of energy from the core of the Earth moving up through the Earth, through your feet, going up through your entire body and out the top of your head into the Heavens. Move your awareness upwards with the energy and allow yourself to feel your body as the energy rises upwards through it.
Coordinating the timing of the breath to begin the inhalation at the core of the Earth and to complete the inhalation as we reach a point far above our head that we associate with Heaven can help deepen our experience of the exercise. If you like, you can visualize stars, a field of golden energy, the sun, or whatever else transmits a feeling of Heaven to you. The image isn't as important as how it makes you feel.
As you exhale, visualize the energy returning from the Heaven, down, down, and into your crown, through your body, out your feet, into the Earth and back down to the core. Again, as the energy is moving through your body, really allow yourself to become aware of your body; feel it.
Again, timing the breath to begin the exhalation at the point of Heaven and finish the exhalation at the core of the Earth helps deepen the experience of the exercise.
You don't need to do it perfectly. If there is such a thing as a perfect technique, it's the one that allows *YOU* to feel connected to Heaven & Earth and feel your own self as a part of the flow of energies. Use whatever images or metaphors you like!
Optional: Adding body movement.
Once you're comfortable with the basics, and if you feel so inclined, you can add body movement to the exercise. It is NOT necessary to do this but for some it adds another level of engagement with the body which may help deepen the experience of the exercise. As you inhale, move your hands and arms upwards and above your head, as you exhale move your hands and arms downwards. The way you do this is up to you. Pick your favourite chi-kung arm movement, pretend you're an orchestra conductor, a bird flapping its wings, have palms facing each other in front of you and move them as if they were sliding up and down along this column of energy. The choice is yours. Go up with the upward flow of energy and inhalation, go down with downward flow of energy and exhalation.