What is it that allows a person to feel confident, energized, and in full alignment with their inner truths. In Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, we recognize that each of our organs and body parts hold powerful energies that influence our consciousness and state of being. By tapping into these energies, we can work with them in a skillful way to cultivate the qualities we seek to realize.
In two of our previous blog posts, we discussed how our organs hold powerful stores of Qi, and our ligaments and tendons represent important channels for the circulation of energy within us. We also talked about the Iron Shirt Nei Gong practices that can help us to cultivate the positive qualities of each. Today, we’re going to explore the final form of Iron Shirt Nei Gong called Bone Marrow Nei Gong. When practiced, these exercises can be extremely powerful for improving energy, healing, and finding alignment with your inner truths.
The Important Role of Bone Marrow
In Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, bone marrow is where Qi and red blood cells mix and mingle. Since Qi and matter are both forms of energy, they’re constantly transforming and blending to allow the body’s processes to occur.
While western medical doctors will tell you that your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, Chinese medical doctors recognize an additional ingredient that flows throughout your vessels and arteries: Qi. Together, blood and Qi nourish all of the cells within your being.
So, why is your bone marrow important? Well, it’s the place where your red blood cells become infused with Qi so they can carry it throughout your body. You can imagine your red blood cells as miniature buses and your Qi as its passengers. Your bone marrow is like the bus stop where your “Qi passengers” jump aboard your red blood cells for an exciting ride around your body. In this way, our red blood cells and Qi visit all the remote parts of who you are, from the tips of your fingers to the flesh between your toes.
If you’re thinking, “wait, I thought Qi circulated through the meridians!” you’re correct. However, there are many channels through which Qi moves, and our blood cells are one of them. You can think of blood cells and meridians as two different Qi-highways that serve the same purpose.
Because bone marrow is an essential conduit of Qi within the body, it also represents an important storehouse of energy and vitality. Therefore, as Qi Gong practitioners, we can work with this source of energy to cultivate many wonderful qualities within our beings.
The Deepest Part of Your Body
If you think about it, your bone marrow is the deepest part of your body. Your skin, muscles, ligaments, and even bones all surround the important tissue known as bone marrow. Just as the sun’s core is its hottest, densest part, the core of your being holds some of your most powerful energy (fun fact: the sun’s core is actually about 2,700 times hotter than its surface). Through a variety of Qi Gong practices, we can seek to unlock this hidden potential within us.
The qualities and benefits of bone marrow Qi are many. By accessing this inner resource and channeling it properly, we can reduce fatigue, improve healing, transform stress, and strengthen our connection to our inner truth.
The last benefit we just mentioned—strengthening our connection to inner truth—is one of the most profound aspects of Bone Marrow Nei Gong. Just as your bone marrow is the core of your physical being, it is also the center of your energetic body. As such, it holds your most fundamental essence of who you are as an individual. All of your personal truths and deepest beliefs are connected to this part of your being.
Cultivating your bone marrow Qi is like nourishing the essence of self. Not only does this strengthen your inner truths, but it also helps you to get more in touch with what is important to you. Purpose, beliefs, and life decisions can all become more clear as a result of Bone Marrow Nei Gong.
Iron Shirt Module 3: Bone Marrow Nei Gong
As an important part of Iron Shirt Nei Gong practices, Bone Marrow Nei Gong is specifically designed to cultivate the energies and qualities that exist within our deepest parts.
Some Bone Marrow Nei Gong practices work with activation exercises that awaken the body’s internal energy. This allows you to experience sensations and feelings that may have previously been dormant. It also sets the stage for deeper work in the practices that follow.
Postural and structural training is another important part of Bone Marrow Nei Gong. By learning how to position the body in specific postures, practitioners can cultivate an intimate attunement to the energy in various parts of the body. Through this awareness, we can also channel our intentions within our beings to cultivate the qualities we’ve been discussing.
As an important complement to postural alignment, breathing practices can help to invigorate the body with vital Qi and aliveness. Breathing also helps you to concentrate your attention and work more skillfully with the energies within you. One of the most important practices is called Bone Breathing, which helps to nourish your bone marrow and circulate its vitality throughout all parts of your being.
There’s a unique and empowering confidence that happens when you’re really in touch with your deepest truths. Knowing who you are and what you stand for allows you to move forward in the world with power and conviction. This translates into a deeper and more full acceptance of who you are as an individual, as well as a clearer vision of the path before you.
Iron Shirt Module 3
To complete the Iron Shirt Nei Gong course, Lee will be leading the third module on April 5th. This experience will build on the principles taught in the previous two modules and teach students how to cultivate a complete infusion of Qi into all systems of the body.
This module will take place between 1:00 and 4:30 pm on the date mentioned above in Santa Cruz, California. However, it will also be recorded so participants can go back and watch the material online from the comfort of their own homes. As mentioned, this is part of a course series, so it’s important to take the first two modules of Iron Shirt before doing these practices. We’re really excited to offer this experience and know that you’ll appreciate the lessons that Lee has to share. Click on the banner below to learn more and sign up today!