At Holden QiGong, we commonly receive emails from students asking various questions related to Qi Gong. When we do, we always do our best to consult with Lee and provide thoughtful answers.

When a few students ask a question, it’s usually safe to say that there are numerous others who are wondering the same thing. Therefore, we decided to go through the questions we receive and answer 13 of them that we felt are important to many practitioners.

All of these questions have been provided by you, our students, and all of the answers come directly from Lee. As you’ll notice, some of these questions are about a particular program (e.g. 30 Day Challenge) while others are more general. We have also included links to the programs mentioned in the questions or recommended by Lee for various needs. 

We hope that you enjoy these questions and answers and that they help you to continuously further your Qi Gong journey!

Question: For the 30 Day Challenge, how can I create morning and evening practice routines?

Lee’s Answer: You can simply do one in the morning and one in the evening. You can do the same one or a different one. For the evening, pick one that doesn’t have Knocking on the Door of Life or Qi Massage (knocking on the chest, arms, back, and legs). Those are better for the morning. We also suggest the video class subscription which offers specific morning and evening routines.

Question: What does it mean to “activate” Qi?

Lee’s Answer: Activations are specific exercises that bring Qi to the surface to “wake it up.” Knocking on the body, like Qi massage, is an activation exercise. Some exercises are both activation and warm-up exercises like Knocking on the Door of Life. Warm-ups are exercises that invigorate qi and are more strength building or range of motion inducing. All joint opening exercises are considered warm-ups.

Question: When practicing Qi Gong, when should I breathe through the nose and when should I breathe through the mouth?

Lee’s Answer: When you exhale through the mouth, in Qi Gong, we say that’s purging. It clears energy. So, when the intention is to “let go.” exhale through the mouth. This is good for stretching or clearing emotional stress. Often, we exhale through the mouth during stretches or clearing exercises at the beginning of routines. 

Inhaling and exhaling through the nose is considered tonifying. This helps Qi “stay in/” We do this during flows as a way to keep the positive Qi in the body.

Question: Are there any Acupressure books that Lee recommends?

Lee’s Answer: A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman

Question: Are there any Qi Gong practices to help prevent Alzheimer’s? 

Lee’s Answer: The Qi Gong for Better Breathing program includes several routines that can be helpful for preventing Alzheimer’s. Also, make sure to get really good sleep. Sleep is key to the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, the Qi Gong for Better Sleep workshop is another great resource as well.

Question:Are there any books that Lee recommends to gain a deeper understanding of Qi Gong and its history?

Lee’s Answer: The Way of Qi Gong by Ken Cohen

Question: What programs do you recommend for people who are bedridden or unable to complete most of the movement exercises?

Lee’s Answer: The Guided Healing Meditations are great for those with limited mobility.

Question: Does Qi Gong address belly tension, which I think ties into the huge amount of gut health issues that are prevalent at the moment?

Lee’s Answer: Yes. The belly is our energetic center and is where emotional stress usually originates. Our Qi Gong for Digestion and Qi Gong for Better Breathing workshops offer a deep-dive into working with energy in this area of the body.

Question: Are there any special forms, or sequences that can help with balance? 

Lee’s Answer: Yes, our Qi Gong for Better Balance offers many wonderful practices to improve balance and overall health.

Question: What should I do if I start to feel sleepy while practicing Qi Gong? 

Lee’s Answer: The Qi moves in mysterious ways and Qi Gong is a powerful healing experience. As you relax, it’s common for deep, profound shifts to happen. If need be, keep your eyes open and maintain this state of deep relaxation with a little more conscious awareness. Play with it. It’s a doorway into a deep and powerful flow.

Question: Sometimes, I find it difficult to feel the Qi in my legs. How can I experience energy in that part of my body?

Lee’s Answer: The legs and lower body are more difficult to feel. When we are standing on the legs, it’s also harder to sense the energy there. Try feeling the energy in the legs after class when seated. Focus on feeling the energy from the abdomen to the soles of the feet. It can take practice and concentration.

Question: Are there any books that Lee recommends to learn more about the Five Elements?

Lee’s Answer: Yes. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine By Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold. 

Question: How can I use Qi Gong to work with negative emotions?

Lee’s Answer: Emotions are energy. E-Motion (energy in motion). Emotions are always in a process of change. One moment we feel angry. Twenty minutes later we feel better, or vice versa. How to work with emotions is a skill to be developed and cultivated. Negative emotions are like compost to a gardener. Compost is essential to the garden. We want to put that compost in the soil to grow a rich garden of veggies and flowers. If we put the compost in the living room, it makes a mess in the house. This signifies that there is a place where negative emotions can be useful. 

Our Qi Gong for Emotional Balance workshop offers many great practices for working with negative emotions and cultivating emotional balance. The Healing Sounds is another great program to help transform negative to positive as well. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Qi Gong and experiencing a variety of practices, our FreeTwo-Week Trial of our Video Class Subscription is a great option!

Free Video Class Subscription Two-Week Trial

Our Free Two-Week Trial offers two weeks of free access to our widely popular Video Class Subscription, taught by Lee. The Video Class Subscription allows you access to three new video classes per week. Each video class is about an hour long and is followed by a fifteen-minute guided meditation. Not to mention, the free, two-week trial also allows you free access to the Video Class Subscription live classes, held three times per week and hosted by Lee, virtually, live-streamed, and using Zoom. Plus, the Subscriber’s area contains tons of great program samples you can also check out for free when you sign up for the trial!

When the trial ends you’ll have the option to become part of our regular subscription membership, which includes eight to twelve new classes each month. It also offers a fun and inspiring community of fellow Qi Gong practitioners, so you’re never alone in your practice. Click on the banner below to learn more and start your free trial today.