When should you practice Qi Gong, where should you practice, and what’s the best kind of clothing to wear? Although each person is unique, there are some general recommendations that can help you get the most out of your daily Qi Gong routine.
In this blog, you’ll learn seven recommendations to help you cultivate the ideal Qi Gong practice. All of these recommendations come from master Qi Gong teacher, Lee Holden. By trying out these tips, you’ll be able to discover what works best for you, so you can fully enjoy your Qi Gong experience.
1. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Before beginning your Qi Gong routine, it’s best to make sure you feel comfortable. Of course, your clothing can have a big impact on how relaxed and at ease you feel.
Try to wear soft, loose clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement. If you can’t move your body freely, it will be hard to truly relax into your movements and get the most out of your practice. Your clothing should be soft and light, allowing you to move with ease and comfort.
Additionally, it’s important to wear clothing that keeps you warm. It’s hard to relax when you’re cold and shivering, so make sure to wear clothes that are appropriate for the temperature around you.
2. Choose a Relaxing Setting
After you’ve chosen your Qi Gong outfit, it’s time to find the right setting for your practice. There are numerous places that can be ideal for Qi Gong; the important thing is that you feel calm and relaxed.
If you’re practicing at home, try to find a quiet room in your house that is free of distractions. This might be your bedroom, living room, or nook where you can go without being disturbed. If you live with others, you may want to consider letting them know that you want to have some peace and quiet while you practice.
Nature is another great place to practice! Go on a hike to immerse yourself in the forest, or find a beautiful garden. Nature automatically helps put your nerves at ease and nourishes your energy, so try to do at least one routine in nature each week if possible.
3. Practice in Silence or Turn On Some Calming Music in the Background
Typically, it’s best to practice Qi Gong in silence or with some calming music in the background. It really comes down to personal preference as both of these choices can be great.
If you’re following an online Qi Gong routine, you may want to turn on some relaxing music in the background. If you do so, just be sure to choose music that matches the energy you’re seeking to cultivate.
Practicing in silence is another wonderful way to go. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in your inward journey and focus within yourself. Each person is different, so you may want to experiment and see which option feels best to you. Also, perhaps sometimes you’ll prefer gentle music, and other times you’ll prefer silence.
4. Harmonize Your Practice with the Time of Day
Students sometimes ask what’s the best time of day to practice Qi Gong. The truth is, it’s always the best time of day to practice Qi Gong.
You really can’t go wrong with what time you choose, but your practice may vary depending on the time of day. If you choose to practice in the morning, try to pick routines that activate your internal energy and cultivate a state of wakefulness. If you practice in the evening, on the other hand, try to do practices that are more calming.
To determine what practices are best, try to pay attention to how they make you feel. If an exercise leads to feeling energized and awake, it’s probably a great exercise to do earlier in the day. If you feel more calm or even tired, it’s probably a good exercise for the evening. In many of Lee’s Qi Gong routines, he shares what time of day the routine is best suited for.
5. Establish a Consistent Time to Practice
Even though every time of day is a good time to practice, it is important to be consistent. By choosing a specific time that you practice every day, it helps you sustain your practice over time.
Many students love to start their day by practicing Qi Gong. When you do it in the morning, it can help you activate your energy, get emotionally and spiritually grounded, and set clear intentions for the day.
Others prefer to practice in the evening as it helps them wind down and release stress. And of course, some choose to practice in the morning and evening. The bottom line is that there’s no right or wrong time to practice—just try to find what works best for you and then stick with a consistent routine.
6. Wait a Bit After Meals Before You Practice
Like most forms of physical exercise, it’s generally best to not practice Qi Gong immediately after a meal. Instead, try to give yourself some time to digest before beginning your practice.
As far as how long to wait, an hour is typically a good bet. However, it can vary a bit depending on what kind of meal you just ate. If you just finished a large, heavy meal, you may want to wait at least an hour or possibly longer. If you ate a light meal, you may only want to wait thirty minutes. As always, just pay attention to how you feel and let your body be your guide.
7. Listen to Your Body and Mind and Do What Feels Right to you
As mentioned throughout this blog, these are all general recommendations and ideas for you for you to try. In order to cultivate the ideal practice for you, it’s important to always attune your mind and body to your own personal needs and intentions.
Each person is unique, so your practice might not be exactly the same as someone else’s. Don’t be afraid to modify your practice. Sometimes, you may need to adapt a specific exercise to make it work better with your body. At other times, you may feel you need to slow down and practice at a different pace, even if others are moving more quickly during a class. If you truly pay attention to how you feel and follow your inner guide, you’ll always be doing the ideal Qi Gong practice.
If you enjoyed this blog and want to put these principles into practice, be sure to check out our 30-Day Qi Gong Challenge.
Kick-Start Your Qi Gong Practice with the 30-Day Challenge
When you sign up for the 30-Day Challenge you’ll get access to thirty unique Qi Gong classes that are all just seven minutes long. This makes it easy to find time to practice each and every day so you can develop a consistent practice!
Because there are so many routines in the 30-Day Challenge, it’s also a great opportunity to discover which practices work best for you. Click on the banner below to learn more about the 30-Day Challenge and get ready to expand your Qi Gong journey!