Being an acupuncturist can be an exciting and rewarding career, with the opportunity to connect with others at the core level of our beings. Nothing comes closer to who we are than the energy and consciousness moving throughout our bodies, and acupuncturists have the rare opportunity to work with another’s circulation and cultivation of qi — the inner world that we all rely upon for health, vitality, and emotional balance.
In a previous blog post we touched on our society’s singular emphasis on “Yang” aspects of healing, while often neglecting the “Yin” subtleties that are equally important. Effective healing starts with a well-balanced healer, meaning that an acupuncturist is first and foremost their own patient. While an education in Chinese Traditional Medicine goes a long way in empowering acupuncturists with tools for healthy self-care, there is one branch that is consistently underutilized, yet is the foundation of any great acupuncture practice.
This article explores how acupuncturists can use Qi Gong as a powerful tool for managing stress, letting go of harmful energy, and dramatically enhancing their skill and practice.
Healing Starts Within — Purging toxic energy and maintaining balance
Although on the outside an acupuncture treatment may appear to be an easeful and relaxing experience, both people involved know that there is a lot taking place between healer and patient. While conscientious acupuncturists put great intention and awareness into each movement of the needle to treat a patient, the energy exchanged is not merely one-directional.
Each patient comes in with their own set of strengths and ailments, and these energies invariably affect the acupuncturist as well. Entering an intimate healing space with another person means opening up a channel that isn’t always easy to work with, and many acupuncturists find it important to cultivate a strong practice for self-care at work to manage the stress and anxiety that comes with healing.
More and more, Qi Gong is finding its way into acupuncturists’ offices to help practitioners purge harmful energy and nourish personal vitality and focus. Through mindful awareness of their own inner qi, acupuncturists with a strong Qi Gong practice can know when it’s time for a little self-care, and take a breather to regain inner balance and let go of any toxic energy taken on from their day’s work. We all know that many ailments and emotional troubles start as subtle seeds of stagnant energy, so Qi Gong can help cleanse the mind and body so practitioners can cultivate protective Qi (Wie Qi), as well as return to their patients with renewed presence and focus.
Check out our free on-demand MasterClass to learn how Qi Gong can help your acupuncture practice.
Awareness of Qi — Tuning in and finding focus
In addition to protecting oneself and maintaining inner-harmony at work, many acupuncturists find that Qi Gong helps them deliver better and more enriching treatments to patients. Just as a conversation is much more than the words that are shared, the art and effectiveness of acupuncture goes much deeper than a well-placed needle. Although on the outside acupuncture appears to be a purely physical “Yang” process of inserting needles, the true art is found in the “Yin” subtleties within the practitioner’s awareness and cultivation of Qi.
Indeed, it is not the qi within the mind and body that are affected by the needles, but the needles that are affected by the qi within the mind and body of the acupuncturist. The needles are simply a vessel to transfer wisdom and awareness of how qi can flow in the most healthy way possible, so an acupuncturists’ awareness and intention of qi is critically important. Qi Gong is not simply a nice addition to an effective healing practice, but one of the central five branches of Chinese medicine, and lies at the foundation of all healing and well-being that acupuncture can bring.
MasterClass — Enhancing self-practice and healing others
An acupuncturist who is well-taught in Qi Gong and develops a strong self-practice within their business will not just be aware of the proper physical placement of a needle, but will cultivate “healing hands” that are truly in tune with the body, mind, and qi of their patients.
For acupuncturist and Qi Gong teacher, Lee Holden, Qi Gong is as much a part of his acupuncture practice as the needles he works with. Through the cultivation of his qi and enrichment of its circulation, the practitioner is able to both protect himself against toxic energy he might encounter, as well as focus his mind and awareness for each patient in front of him. Noticing his nuanced attunement to patients and his gentle yet powerful “healer’s touch”, many acupuncturists have decided to turn to him for guidance with their own Qi Gong practice.
In response to the growing demand for Qi Gong in acupuncture offices, Lee and his team at Holden QiGong have developed a free, on-demand MasterClass, in which Lee takes students on an expansive quest to enrich their own inner healing potential and to cultivate powerful tools to help themselves and others. Lee’s course is designed to be accommodating to all acupuncturist schedules, and provides many great resources to help acupuncturists grow their business in addition to in depth Qi Gong training. We can all benefit from a little extra support and vitality as we pursue our craft, and Qi Gong is the perfect compliment for the healer’s journey.
Check out our MasterClass program website page to learn more.