Wear away or Waste away?
If you do not move, your body will wither and Waste away. But if you move too much and too vigorously, your body will Wear away!
How do you find the right balance?!
Qigong teaches you how to move the body harmoniously; it teaches you how to nurture the body with movement. If you don't use it you will lose it! But there is a certain point where you need to stop or take a step back.
Laozi said in Chapter 9 of the Dao De Jing:
Better stop short than fill to the brim. Over-sharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it. Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow. Retire when the work is done. This is the way of heaven.
(Translated by Gia-fu Feng & Jane English)
It is possible to nurture the body with movement AND find the right balance such that the body instead of being worm away, is strengthened! In Qigong we use the principles of softness and
relaxation. But how does this harmonic principle lead to a strong body and sturdy health?
This is because the secret of Qigong lies in the internal/unseen aspects through which the use of body movement we also learn how to work with the internal energy of the body. As a result, we also sharpen and clear the mind. This brings to harmony the various aspects of the human being; Body, mind, energy. The result is truly empowering!
Just like water becomes stale when it stagnates and sits without movement in a pool, remember that the human body is full of blood and fluids that continually need to move and be refreshed! These fluids feed and nourish the various structures of the body.
The internal resources of the body are precious! Remember that there is a point where you need to slow down before you fill your cup the brim and end up dry! That way it stays full and you can enjoy drinking from Life's Cup as it Refills! Do not become like a beggar holding up your cup, waiting for it to be filled. The currency of Life feeds those who know how to be harmony with it.
