Qigong for Depression Vlog by White Tigr Qigong Instructor Bill Grace
Using Qigong For Depression is a very effective and helpful practice. Depression is caused by many things. Mostly This may be caused by imbalances in the body, mind, and spirit. The body holds pent-up emotions, especially in the organs. This causes imbalances in our bodies and causes mood disorders such as depression. Qigong is a very effective practice not just as an exercise but also to help release excess emotions in the organs. You can watch the vlog above by White Tiger Qigong Teacher, Bill Grace to learn how you can incorporate qigong techniques to help relieve depression.
What is Depression?
According to Mayo Clinic, depression is a mood disorder that results in a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The difference between natural and common sadness with depression is that it affects one's personal life and way of living. Depression affects one's emotions, way of thinking, and behavior which may lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. People suffering from depression have trouble doing normal activities and may feel that they have lost the will to live or that life is not worth living.
Symptoms
Depression may arise only once in a lifetime, however, it may occur in multiple episodes. In these episodes, the symptoms of depression happen the majority of the day and almost every day. The symptoms may have the following:
- Feelings of sadness, sorrow, crying, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Bursts of anger, irritability, or frustration even over little things
- Loss of interest in things that used to excite them
- Lack of pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
- Sleep imbalances such as insomnia or too much sleeping
- Lack of energy or feeling tired over little tasks.
- Appetite loss and/or weight loss or binge eating and/or weight gain
- Anxiety, worry, or feeling restless
- Slow mental processes, thinking, concentrating, decision-making, and remembering details.
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, over-fixation of past failures, or blaming oneself.
- Slow movements and coordination
- Recurring thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicides
- Unexplained physical illnesses or pain, such as back pain or headaches
Most people suffering from depression symptoms are often intense enough to disable them from daily activities. This may affect work, school, socializing, or relationships. Some people may feel sadness or emptiness without any particular reason or without knowing why.
What is Qigong?
Qigong is an ancient system which origins dates back to around 5,000 years. This practice is a balance of movement and meditation. Qigong in basic translation means "the skill to work on energy". Qi means “energy” and Gong means “skill or to work”. Through movement, breath, and intention or meditation, we help release excess energy, toxins, and emotions to help our body reach its optimum state.
Qigong has been used as a medical tool since the ancient times to help heal illnesses, diseases, and pain. It is also used to reach health, vitality, and maximum potential. In Chinese Medicine, it is known that the physical body connects with the emotional body. Healing the physical body heals the emotional body and the vice versa, healing the emotions helps heal the physical body.
Even though Qigong is an ancient practice, it is more advanced than modern medicines when it come to looking at and healing the body holistically.
How does Qigong for Depression work?
As we have discussed earlier, we know that qigong works on energy through the body, breath, and intention. In Chinese Medicine, it is known that negative emotions can be stored in the organs. Physical illnesses or pain can cause imbalances in emotions, and likewise, emotional imbalances can cause physical illnesses or pain. In qigong, we look at the body holistically when it comes to treating illnesses. Qigong from a medical qigong perspective aims to release any blockages and stagnations that block good flow in the body. Qigong for depression works as a holistic approach, healing the body, mind, and spirit through a balance of movement and meditation. What we apply in our physical practice we also apply in our mind and spirit and vice versa.
5 Element Qigong for Depression
Tiger Qigong - Metal Element
The Tiger Qigong connects to the Metal Element. In Chinese Medicine, the Metal element connects to the Lungs. The emotion it connects to is the emotion of grief. We connect to the color White to help balance the Metal Element. The Healing Sound we use to balance the Metal Element is "Ssi".
The movement of the Tiger Qigong includes linear movements that are very powerful. It opens up the chest and compresses the lungs. After this compression, we release the lungs and bring in fresh energy. By doing this we release toxins and pent-up grief in the lungs. This allows our body to receive fresh energy. As we release the excess grief in our body, we bring in the antidote emotion which is joy.
Dragon Qigong - Water Element
The Dragon Qigong connects to the Water Element. In Chinese Medicine, the Water element connects to the Kidneys. The emotion it connects to is the emotion of fear. We connect to the color Black or Blue to help balance the Water Element. The Healing Sound we use to balance the Water Element is "Chway".
The movement of the Dragon Qigong consists of soft, slow, and flowy movements. This helps squeeze toxins and excess emotions stored in the kidney with the deep twist of the torso. As we release the twist, we help bring fresh energy to that area. In the Dragon Qigong, we release the excess emotion of fear, and we bring in courage and willpower.
Leopard Qigong - Wood Element
The Leopard Qigong connects to the Wood Element. In Chinese Medicine, the Wood element connects to the Liver. The emotions it connects to is the emotion of anger and frustration. We connect to the color Green to help balance the Wood Element. The Healing Sound we use to balance the Wood Element is "Ssi".
The movement of Leopard Qigong has a lot of bends and swaying movements like the tree. These movements can also be associated with that of a leopard, which likes to stretch and is very agile and flexible. Through these movements, we wring out the excess toxins and negative emotions in the liver. For the Leopard Qigong, we release excess anger and frustration and we bring in acceptance and forgiveness.
Crane Qigong - Fire Element
The Crane Qigong connects to the Fire Element. In Chinese Medicine, the Fire element connects to the Heart. The emotions connected to the Fire Element are the emotion of joy and desire. We connect to the color Red to help balance the Fire Element. The Healing Sound we use to balance the Fire Element is "Ha".
The movement of the Crane Qigong incorporates a lot of balance and upward movements. Embodying the spirit of the Crane and the Fire element. This helps open up the heart. As we reach the peak position we release excess joy and desire and as we release we bring in contentment and peace. Through this qigong, we don't only train balance in our physical body, but we also train balance in our mind and spirit.
Snake Qigong - Earth Element
The Snake Qigong connects to the Earth Element. In Chinese Medicine, the Wood element connects to the Spleen. The emotions connected to the Earth Element are the emotions of anxiety and worry. We connect to the color Yellow or Soil to help balance the elements The Healing Sound we use to balance the Earth's Elements is "Whoo".
The movement of the Snake Qigong is very grounded. Like a snake creeping to the ground. The snake locks its eye on its prey, slowly creeps to the grass, then grabs its prey, eventually eats its prey, and then digests its prey. This qigong exercise helps squeeze out toxins and excess emotions pent up in the spleen. Then after squeezing out the toxins and excess emotions, we allow fresh energy and positive emotion to enter the body. In the Earth element,t we release excess worry and anxiety and bring in the antidote emotion which is the feeling of nurture.
Try our Qigong for Depssion Courses
We have qigong courses that will help you learn more about qigong for depression. Try our 5 Element Qigong to learn more about the 5 Element Qigong dynamic forms and how you can use them to balance your body, mind, and spirit. You can also try our Qigong for Worry and Anxiety course. We also have a Qigong for Grief and Sadness course. These courses will help balance not only the emotions but also the organs they connect with them. Balancing the emotions and the organs will help relieve depression by releasing pent-up emotions stored as toxins in the body. Try our courses now, and begin to feel more balanced physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
