Qigong of Embryology: Embodying Space and Time

Qigong (chi gung) is a way of bringing forth our natural vitality. Qi (chi) is the energy that moves through all life. Gung is a cultivation, practice and developing relationship with our vitality. Just as we may cultivate a garden or practice a musical instrument, so we may practice qigong to nurture the life force within ourselves.

Embryology is the study of the first 8 weeks of our intrauterine life. Today, our cells hold our experience and embodiment of each moment of our embryological development and how we chose to embody space. Space existed before we came to be. We informed space and space informed us. Though time, particular embryological structures have faded away. We still hold the memory of these early phases of our existence and can re-member the range of foundational vibrational and cellular states.

This class covers some basic principles and forms of qigong and how we may be in-formed through accessing embryological foundations. Opening the body and experiencing simplicity allows us to resolve to the present. This integrated class provides a frame and context for some essential aspects of embryology applied to qigong. No prerequisite of embryology or qigong is needed to attend this web class.

This class is appropriate for:

• The novice with no experience of qigong or embryology
• The experienced practitioner who wants to deepen and expand their practice
• Those interested in applying embryological principles with practical experience

Class topics include:

• Wuji; the emptiness of pre-incarnation.
• Incarnation in stillness, incarnation of movement; interrelationship of egg-mind and sperm-mind.
• Accessing the planes of movement for investing 3-dimensionality; the first three cleavage planes.
• Somatic yielding, tonifying space, and tonifying self; the developing and hatching morula.
• Landing and rooting on the earth; contact, cellular migration, and implantation.
• The yin and yang of the front body and back body; balancing the endoderm and ectoderm
• Utilizing spatial support for stillness and movement; embracing the yolk sac and the amniotic cavity.
• Inner Sea of Qi and Outer Sea of Qi: yolk sac invagination within the amniotic cavity environment
• Simultaneously embracing and transforming yin and yang; cellular coherence and change imprinted by the autonomic fluid rhythm via the neurenteric canal
• The cloacal membrane and the oropharyngeal membrane establishing our central channel; the polarities of hui yin (the perineum of pelvic floor) and bai hui (crown of the head).
• The dantian; our physical center informed by the invagination of the yolk sac.

This highly experiential class will benefit beginners and experienced folks alike. We incorporate embryological moments and transitions based on the embodiment principles of Body-Mind Centering^®. Participants will learn theory and receive guidance for simple and safe movement forms.

At the end of the 6-session class, you will learn and be able to perform:

• An effective opening and closing qigong sequence
• Principles and practices integrating embryological support for qigong
• Other forms and exercises highlighting different aspects involved in qigong

To participate, you will need:

• A quiet area large enough where you can stand and freely swing your arms
• Simple comfortable clothing allowing unrestricted movement
• A chair or stool for sitting with your thighs parallel to the floor