Based on a background of injuries from years of training in various dance styles, I deeply appreciate the wisdom of the Qigong principle of “song” (pronounced sung). Song refers to the absence of unnecessary tension. It’s not how we often think of relaxation, as a kind of passive limpness; song refers toactive relaxation while moving. By moving with focus and ease we unlock the storehouse of energy flowing within, and avoid hurting ourselves from over-doing, or forcing through something that isn’t ready to be pushed.
For many of us, this is an ongoing challenge! We want to move big, free, and skillfully, but sometimes those big, glorious movements hurt. Other times we’re afraid of injuring or re-injuring ourselves, so we “armor” or immobilize an area of historic pain or weakness, and thus make it even weaker and more painful. And of course, we know that our body will change and lose strength if we don’t begin or keep up with movement practices, especially after the age of 30 or so. “Use it or lose it” is a fact.
My vocation as a Qigong teacher is to address both the physiology of our changing bodies, as well as how to apply the mindfully meditative technique of “song” to our movements, in order to stay healthy and move freely.
