Swimming Dragon Qigong

by Tamara Bennett (Smiling Dragon Tai Chi & Qigong) and Stacy Shramana (Tai Chi for Well
Being)

Perhaps more ancient then acupuncture, is a Qigong system of exercise called Yang Sheng
(Yang Sheng = to feed the body). These exercises are considered internal because they
act not only on muscles, tendons and sinews, but also on the Qi flow of the internal organs.

Yang Sheng is an ancient Taoist form that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. One of
the best known of the therapeutic Yang Shengs is called Swimming Dragon, which imitates
the serpent-like movements of a dragon swimming in the sea.

The power for supporting three major physiological activities is called the Triple Warmer or
Three Burner system. Like the acupuncture channels and their many points, the burners
cannot be found by dissection or exploratory surgery. They are not objects but bodily
functions. They are unseen agents that keep the natural machinery of the body running
smoothly.

The Three Burners are regulators of metabolism. The top burner is located in the upper chest
and controls respiration. It powers the heart and lungs. The middle burner is in the upper
abdomen and regulates digestion. It fuels the stomach, spleen, liver and pancreas. The
lower burner is in the lower abdomen and pelvis, and directs elimination. Its fields are the
intestines, bladder and kidneys.

The Swimming Dragon Yang Sheng is fairly simple, yet an excellent way of promoting
healthy activity of these burners. The result is an improvement in general well-being, with
tonification of the metabolic system. It is reputed to be the most effective Qigong practice
for balancing body weight; the sinuous movements of the form help control the appetite,
slenderize the waist, hips, thighs and buttocks and mobilize fats and toxins into lymphatic
drainage.

The Swimming Dragon involves the whole body in a graceful rhythmic movement. It reduces
tension, loosens joints, brings suppleness, massages the internal organs and stimulates
lymph flow. It improves circulation of the blood and of course Qi. The Swimming Dragon
stretches out the whole body completely, especially the spine, and helps to straighten and
strengthen the back. It regulates the kidney channelsaccording to Traditional Chinese
Medicine, which in turn benefits the internal organs. Regular practice can rejuvenate the skin
and promote vitality. The Swimming Dragon is also an enjoyable way to focus and calm the
mind.

The movements also harmonize the hormonal system. This happens with the movements
massaging the internal genital organs, which stimulates the jing energy, so it has a strong
function on rejuvenation and balancing of the sexual energy. It can also improve the
condition of many chronic problems around the genital organs and lower stomach and
improve the power of fertility.

When practiced 20 minutes daily, this simple form balances the metabolism, glandular
secretions and circulation of blood, lymph and body fluids, while promoting life-long health
and inner peace.

Everyone can learn the Swimming Dragon Qigong, no matter, at what age you begin.
Swimming Dragon Exercise - Lose Weight in the Waist

I love Dr. Mao. I have recently begun to read his columns and find him to be a good dose of
common sense coupled with down-to-earth and real-life ways to improve health via natural
remedies, cut calories and lose weight.
Today I found this exercise which, I discovered, I have been doing a version of for the past
six months or so, but I call it part of shaking my booty around the bedroom at night with
shades drawn and no one watching :) I love the name of this exercise and find it most
evocative of the more esoteric aspects of playing chess and/or Xiang Qi. Not to mention - it
has the qi ("chi") of the universe flowing through it :)
By Dr. Maoshing Ni - Posted on Fri, Mar 19, 2010, 1:27 am PDT
Americas rapidly expanding waistline has become a huge concern in the past decade.
Today, eight out of ten adults are overweight and some 40 million people are considered
obese. Its not hard to see why: We eat foods that contain tightly-packed calories in smaller
packages and dont engage in enough physical activity. Here are 3 unique and easy
exercises that will get you in shape this spring!
You have to move to lose weight
The number one cause of being overweight is inactivity. The human body is designed for
physical activity. Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers who spent most of their lives on the
move; their metabolic functions matched their physical lifestyle. Nowadays, we live in
opposition to our nature. The reason most diets fail is because our bodies are not designed
to subsist on meager foods. We are designed to consume a good amount of energy -- and
then to burn that energy. Physical activity is the key to a healthy metabolism.

Physical activity does not necessarily mean abrupt, fast-paced and forceful
exercise. What if I told you that gentle, slower, and deliberate movements are just as
beneficial for your health? Unique to China are the gentler kind of movement arts that
promote energy, balance of function, and a calm mind. I call them mind-body exercises, and
they include tai chi, qigong, and Dao In yoga. Many recent studies have confirmed that these
mind-body exercises help balance blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, equilibrium, and other
organ functions. Mind-body exercise works through a system of energy communication
within the body. By deliberately activating the flow of energy and removing blockages,
communication is restored and organ functions return to their optimal level. You can learn
these mind-body exercises with a teacher or from instructional DVDs.
Taken from a tradition that is thousands of years old, here are three qigong exercises that
target your weight and get you in shape. The qigong exercises from this article are adapted
from my book Secrets of Self-Healing, where you can find many more exercises to benefit a
variety of health conditions.
Exercise 1: Swimming Dragon speeds up your metabolism
This simple qigong exercise can help speed up your metabolism and reduce your appetite.
Not unlike a belly dance, Swimming Dragon is a wriggling rhythmic dance of the torso, which
burns energy and promotes fat burning in the abdomen.
1. In a comfortable, quiet place stand with your feet together and ankles touching, or as
close together as you can get them. Bring hands over your head, with palms together and
fingers pointing up. Keep your palms together during this entire exercise.
2. Inhaling, push your waist out to the right side while keeping your head and upper torso
straight. Simultaneously move your right elbow to the right, so that it rests at shoulder
height.
3. Exhaling, push your waist out to the left side while keeping your head and upper torso
straight. Simultaneously move your left elbow fully to the left at shoulder height.
4. Repeat this movement several times. Every time you move your waist to the right, bend
your knees slightly more, lowering your entire body as you squat. Be sure to keep your
upper torso and head straight.
5. With each right movement, move your hands lower, keeping your palms together and
fingers pointing up. When your arms reach your chest, turn your fingers toward the ground
and continue the movement.
6. When your arms reach your knees, you should be squatting.
7. Continue the movements, now rising with each right movement until you reach the
standing position. When your arms reach your chest, switch the direction of your fingers so
that theyre pointing up again.
Throughout this exercise, your hands should produce an S-shaped movement and your body
should do a rhythmic belly dance. Remember to inhale on the rightward movement and
exhale to the left. Only do this exercise on an empty stomach. Begin slowly and increase
speed, warming up the whole body, but not to the point of perspiration.