In this blog, we will discuss Qigong for weight loss. The 20-minute vlog by Natalia as we see above provides qigong exercises that can help with weight loss. This includes qigong movements that have deep stances, with full-body engagement.
Modern lifestyles and weight loss
In our modern times, some people often find themselves leaning into crash diets, modern medical approaches, and surgery to help lose weight. These solutions may give us the weight and body figure that we want but will not give us the benefits we can achieve by having a healthy habit. During our busy schedules and trying to catch up with the modern lifestyle, some, often do not even have time to go to the gym or exercise. When it comes to food choices, nowadays, food that is more easily available like fast food is a more popular choice. It is not a surprise because it is quick and easy to prepare or purchase. However, more often than not, some of these modern food choices can have toxins that can easily build up in the body. These toxins are also harder to burn. This is one of the major reasons why obesity has increasing momentum, especially in very busy countries. These are some challenges for those who aim for weight loss.
Health achieving journey
These modern choices show that nowadays, some people shift their focus more on having success on the outside, to provide for daily life, than having success with having good health. What some people do not realize is that when we overlook our health we also cannot function to our fullness in our daily lives. Taking care of our body is not really all about losing excess weight but having a healthy lifestyle. It's beautiful how Natalia put it into words: "health achieving journey”. With this mindset, it will help us focus more on having a goal with more longevity rather than having a quick and easy solution that may not last very long. To have an ideal healthy body, we should not focus on just having a weight loss journey but focus on achieving a better healthy lifestyle.
Why is qigong very effective for weight loss?
Adding qigong to your weight loss routine can be very beneficial. It can stand as a standalone exercise or as a complement to a good weight loss routine. There are some people who are struggling to lose weight even though they are eating healthy and exercising frequently. According to Chinese medicine, one of the major reasons for illnesses is internal imbalances. Blockages and stagnation in our bodies cause these internal imbalances. Blockages may occur in our organs and may result in blockages in the particular meridians associated with it. These blockages may manifest as toxins, lack of heat in the body, mucus, and fat cells. Excess fat stored in our body may be difficult to burn through normal exercises and diet alone. We need to release this stagnation and blockages in our body in order to release the excess weight stored as waste products in our body. It is proven that practicing qigong may help clear stagnations and blockages in our bodies. One way this is done is through the contraction and expansion of movements in qigong. Through this we allow our body to wring out the excess in our body and help enhance the flow of blood and qi (energy) in our body. Having free flow allows waste products in our bodies to be carried out naturally. Qigong can help in weight loss by physically challenging our bodies. This increases muscle tone, bone, and joint strength. Allowing more energy to go to those areas to nourish them, rather than be stored as fats. Through qigong, we can help effectively release waste products, like fats, into our bodies.
Qigong for weight loss
Some of the exercises mentioned by Natalia in the vlog are：
The Tiger Qigong from the 5 Element Qigong is done in a deep horse stance. This challenges and strengthens the lower body as we move the upper body. The upper body movement opens up the chest and stretches the shoulders and the arms. This utilizes the muscles in this area and thus, tonify it as well. The Tiger Qigong also uses and tonifies the abdominal muscles as we expand and contract them with the upper body movement. Through the movement of the Tiger Qigong, it opens up the lungs allowing the stagnation and blockages in that organ to be released. Allowing fresh qi to flow in that area.
Bear III opens up the sideline of the body. The deep twisting from the hips to the arm results in a deep squeeze of the spleen and the liver.The hand is held in a fist position. The fist holds that qi in the hand. When we release the fist it sends the qi to the fingertips. Allowing a better flow of qi to the meridians ending in the fingertips. This will also result in a better qi flow two circulate through the meridians connected to it.
Crane IV (Cranes Soars and Descends) from the 5 Animal Qigong
The movements of the Crane flow from the chest and expand outwards towards the hands and fingers. Through the extension and twisting of the arms, we open up the meridians in the arms allowing better qi flow in that area.In Crane, we engage the entire body as we involve both forward and backward balance while standing on one leg. As we stand on one leg we raise the other leg in horizontal alignment. This qigong engages all the muscles in the back including the neck, the spine, the legs, and the arms. This is a very good exercise to tone the back area of the body. This keeps the fascia at the back of our body strong. As we engage the muscles in the back of the body this allows us to maintain balance as we hold the position against gravity.
Effective weight loss
Qigong is a very effective and efficient exercise for weight loss and also a great complement to your current weight loss routine. It is a balance of physically challenging exercises, as well as, movements that help in releasing the excess waste products in our body. It works both on the superficial parts of the body like the muscles, fascia, bones, and joints as well as in the more internal parts of the body like organs, bloodstream, and meridians. To reach our health goals we must learn how to have a daily routine that is a balance of physical exercise, the right diet, and a balanced lifestyle. Qigong is a very good way to begin achieving your (in Natalia's words) health achieving journey.
The Tiger Qigong from the 5 Element Qigong is done in a deep horse stance. This challenges and strengthens the lower body as we move the upper body. The upper body movement opens up the chest and stretches the shoulders and the arms. This utilizes the muscles in this area and thus, tonify it as well. The Tiger Qigong also uses and tonifies the abdominal muscles as we expand and contract them with the upper body movement. Through the movement of the Tiger Qigong, it opens up the lungs allowing the stagnation and blockages in that organ to be released. Allowing fresh qi to flow in that area.
Bear III opens up the sideline of the body. The deep twisting from the hips to the arm results in a deep squeeze of the spleen and the liver. The hand is held in a fist position. The fist holds that qi in the hand. When we release the fist it sends the qi to the fingertips. Allowing a better flow of qi to the meridians ending in the fingertips. This will also result in a better qi flow two circulate through the meridians connected to it.
The movements of the Crane flow from the chest and expand outwards towards the hands and fingers. Through the extension and twisting of the arms, we open up the meridians in the arms allowing better qi flow in that area. In Crane, we engage the entire body as we involve both forward and backward balance while standing on one leg. As we stand on one leg we raise the other leg in horizontal alignment. This qigong engages all the muscles in the back including the neck, the spine, the legs, and the arms. This is a very good exercise to tone the back area of the body. This keeps the fascia at the back of our body strong. As we engage the muscles in the back of the body this allows us to maintain balance as we hold the position against gravity.
