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Eight Ways of
Walking Qigong
By
Michael P. Garofalo
The Wise One Just Walks
Relax and let the legs, hips, and
arms begin their natural work. Don't rush at first. Ease into your pace. Breathe
deeply and in a natural manner. Open your heart to the world around you. Raise
your spirits up to the sky and seek some Divine inspiration. Let your feet
settle deeply into this Great Earth that is your home, your sustainer, your
place and path. Make up your mind to enjoy and benefit from your walk this day.
Is walking really a qigong movement form? A qigong movement form requires
attention, alertness to the surrounding environment, balance, physical efforts,
regular breathing patterns, the coordinated use of bodily parts, visual scanning
efforts, relaxation, erect posture, the use of will and intention, and an inner
smile.
So does walking! So seek in walking those
elements that have drawn you into taijiquan and qigong. Are you energized by
your walking? Are you revitalized by your walking? Are your taijiquan and qigong
improved by your walking? Is your breathing improved by your walking? Is your
mood improved by your walking? Are your spirits lifted by your walking? Do you
find some peace of mind from your walking?
While walking, do you sense the Qi, Prana, Ki, vital energies, or life force
awakening, flowing, and growing within your being? Does walking integrate you
with the world, expand your senses, make you whole?
There is nothing special about walking, and at the same time everything special
about this natural, healthful, pleasing, and essential activity. Be thankful for
this ability, and step out and on and on.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of your outdoor walking environment. Enjoy the views
of the sky! Look up at the heavens, the clouds, the sun, the moon, the
mountains, the trees, the birds. Reflect on All that is Above. Enjoy the views
of the earth! Soak up the energy from the trees, shrubs, and grasses? Relate to
your human surroundings:
houses, roads, animals, sidewalks, and other human beings. Reflect on All that
is Below.
Throughout your walk you should try to feel shoong - relaxed, light, agile,
supple, open, balanced, and energized. Walk softly! You should leave your
troubled mind and turbulent emotions back at work or home, and walk with a calm,
tranquil, and attentive consciousness. Cultivate a delicacy of spirit. Maintain
some awareness of the sensations, feelings, and state of your body. Enjoy the
world with all your senses. Seek to maintain a gracefulness in your movements,
and seeking for grace from Above and Below to allow your spirits to soar.
I recommend you walk outdoors rather than on an indoor track or on a treadmill
walking machine. Nevertheless, walking indoors has definite advantages during
some weather conditions or environmental circumstances, and walking indoors is
better than not walking.
Pay attention while walking and be safe. Be alert to any hazardous conditions in
your walking environment. Avoid dangerous situations while walking. Avoid
vehicular traffic if possible. Avoid tripping hazards. Be Aware!!!
Little more needs to be said other than "begin" or "do it" or "make up your mind
to take a walk, and walk."
Scores of books and thousands of articles have been written about the art,
science, benefits, playfulness, adventures, philosophy, and joy of walking. I
recommend that taijiquan or qigong practitioners read the following three books
about walking:
Tai Chi Walking: A Low-Impact Path to Better Health. By Robert Chuckrow, Phd.
Boston, Yang's Martial Arts Association, 2002. Index, 138 pages, 40
illustrations. ISBN: 188696923x. Mr.Chuckrow was a student of Professor Chen
Man-ching, and is a long-time Yang style taijiquan practitioner.
Way of Walking: Eastern Strategies for Vitality, Longevity, and Peace of Mind.
By Jacques Moramarco, O.M.D., L. Ac., with Rick Benzel. Chicago,
McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 2000. Resources, 213 pages. ISBN: 0809225867.
The Spirited Walker: Fitness Walking for Clarity, Balance and Spiritual
Connection. By Carolyn S. Kortge. Harper San Francisco, 1998. 272 pages. ISBN:
0060647361.
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