Qigong Self-Massage and Chi Washing

Chi Manipulation forHealth, Stress Relief, and Well-Being

A ChiFusion™ Tai Chi and Qigong Special Report

http://www.CloudWater.Com

Last updated: 6 June 2012

Chi Manipulation 1

The information contained in this report is © 1997-2011 by Al Simon and Al J. Simon, Inc.All rights reserved. Copying any portions of this work without prior written permission isprohibited. ChiFusion™ is a trademark of Al Simon.

Notice: This work may NOT be copied, sold, re-distributed, or modified in anymedium or under any circumstances. All violators will be prosecuted.

Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in orencourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of theauthor's rights is appreciated.

Contact info@cloudwater.com if you have any questions about this copyright.

The exercises described in this program are for information purposes only, and neither theauthor nor the publisher shall be held liable or responsible for any harm to anyone fromthe direct or indirect application of the knowledge or ideas expressed in the program.These exercises utilize natural healing systems, and there are no claims for theireffectiveness. Please consult a physician and/or a mental health counselor beforeengaging in any physical activity or before taking any advice from this program.

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Table of Contents:

Section 1: Introduction to Chi Manipulation

Chi Manipulation in ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong1.What is Qigong? What is Chi?2.Qigong Massage and Chi Washing

Section 2: Manipulating Chi Inside the Body

3.

Qigong Self-Massage: Working With Chi Inside the Body4.Acupressure for the Face and Head - Seven Special Access Points to the EnergyPathways

5.

Auricular Massage - Ears as a Microcosm of the Body6.Torso Massage - Working with Internal Organs, Digestion, and Elimination7.Foot Massage and Acupressure - Keeping Your Feet Healthy, Toned, and Relaxed

Section 3: Manipulating Chi Outside the Body

8.

Emitting Chi from the Palm of Your Hand9.Chi Washing: Manipulating the Chi Field Outside the Body10.

Final WordsA.About the AuthorB.

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Section 1: Introduction to Chi Manipulation

Chapter 1. Chi Manipulation in ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong

When it comes to learning how to work with Chi - how todevelop it, how to understand it, and how to really feel it - it'shard to beat the practices that are part of our ChiFusion Tai Chiand Qigong Learn-at-Home course.

At the time of this writing (October 2011), over 3300 studentsaround the world have benefited from our Complete Course.We've received many emails from them thanking us for finallyshowing them how to feel chi for themselves - simply, directly,and easily.

For students in our ChiFusion courses, Chi is no longer thisvague, mystical concept that they've read about or heardabout, but something real they can feel, and somethingpractical they can use!

The focus of our Complete Course is on the movementexercises of Tai Chi and Qigong. Through our "research project" (a six-year work/study coursethat involved feedback from hundreds of students just like you), we found that the movementexercises were the quickest way to help students learn to work with Chi for their health, stressrelief, and well-being.

However, besides movement exercises, we found a number of other beneficial Chi Developmentpractices that we decided to include in the course. These include standing and sittingmeditations, special mental techniques, special vocalization practices, and special "chimanipulation" techniques.

Chi manipulation involves using the hands to affect chi flow in the body - as well asoutside of the body. These techniques involve using the fingers for acupressure (acupuncturewithout needles), using the palms for massage, and "chi emissions" from the palms of yourhands to affect your chi field.

Unlike the movement exercises, these chi manipulation techniques can be done almost anywhere- you don't need a special practice space. You can perform them standing, sitting, or lying down.Because they require no special mental techniques, they can also be done during other activities

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when your hands are free. You just need a few minutes when you aren't using your hands. Youcan perform these techniques while you are watching television, or reading, or listening to music.They are especially popular with office workers, who can perform them at their desk when theyhave a few minutes.

The acupressure/massage practices you will be learning are from theBonus Material we include with our ChiFusion Level 3 course. OurChiFusion™ students have found these simple techniques valuable inhelping to maintain health and well-being, relieve stress andtension, and stimulate chi energy flow.

The "Chi Washing" technique is also drawn from our ChiFusion Level 3 course. In the course, weteach it as a "preliminary" exercise in learning to work with the body's Chi field in Tai Chi. ManyTai Chi practices specialize in the energy exchange between the chi field outside the bodyand with the "chi collectors" within the body. In our Level 3 course, we teach one Tai Chimovement (yes, all it takes is one movement) to learn how to work with this chi energyexchange.

The "Chi Washing" technique present here - while an important step in learning Tai Chi energywork - is also a valuable practice on its own. It has been said that this practice will helpstrengthen your "chi field" and protect you from pathogens and toxic elements in yourenvironment, whether they are physical, psychological, or energetic in nature.

The practices in this report are compatible with almost all styles of Tai Chi and Qigong. Ofcourse, there are always exceptions, but for the most part, you will be able to practice what youlearn here right along with your other Tai Chi and Qigong exercises, no matter what style youpractice.

However, if you ARE a ChiFusion student, the information and practices here will be directlyapplicable to what you are learning and especially the "Chi" you are feeling in our courses.

If you aren't a ChiFusion student, you'll find these exercises more valuable (and easier tounderstand) if you at least are taking our sample lessons. There's no cost at all for the samplelessons, and it's available through our website at http://www.CloudWater.com.

I hope you find this special report valuable, and I wish you all the best in your exploration of ChiDevelopment.

Al SimonCertified Tai Chi Master,Three-time Inductee into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame

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Chapter 2. What is Qigong? What is Chi?

Before we look at Chi Manipulation practices, let's takea step back, look at the "bigger picture" of Qigong, anddiscuss how Chi Manipulation fits into Qigong.

What is Qigong?

While many people haven't yet heard of Qigong, over80 million people around the world have not only heardof it, but actively practice it each day! Originally fromChina, but now practiced the world over, Qigong helpsits practitioners improve their health and fitness,aid in healing and recovery of illness, relievestress, develop energy and vitality, and gain abetter sense of connection to themselves and theworld around them.

Qigong practice has many benefits. Here are just a few, as reported by doctors, hospitals,research studies, and students around the world:

increases flexibility and mobility

improves strength and stamina

lowers blood pressure

greater aerobic capacity

relieves stress and improvesnervous system function

promotes deeper relaxation andbetter sleep

drops stress hormone (salivarycortisol) levels

improved immune response

improves posture and back/spine structuralproblems

clears negative emotions and reducesanxiety

increased respiratory capacity

most recommended aerobic exercise forcoronary artery disease

better sense of connection between innerself and the outer world

combines the powers of meditation andmovement in one practice

... and much more!

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The most popular types of Qigong are Tai Chi or yoga-like exercises. These exercises focus onnatural physical movement, breathing, and mental concentration. As a matter of fact, Tai Chiitself can be considered as one type of Qigong!

However, Qigong covers much more than exercise. It also includes practices such asstanding and sitting meditations, massage, therapeutic healing techniques, and other health andenergy-building practices.

What is Chi?

The term Qigong (pronounced "chee gung") literally means"energy practice." It refers to a family of practices based onthe concept of chi (pronounced "chee"), the internalenergy that runs through our bodies. ("Chi" is also spelled"qi" - as it is in the word "Qigong".) It is this same concept ofchi that is fundamental to acupuncture and Traditional Chinesemedicine.

Though the term "Chi" can refer to any type of natural orman-made energy, primarily it refers to the natural energy thatruns our bodies and minds, including the bioelectrical energythat runs our nervous systems.

As any medical doctor will tell you, this energy comes from anumber of "raw material" sources in our body. Some arepre-natal sources absorbed in the womb, but much also comesfrom the air we breathe and the food we eat. We can alsodirectly absorb external raw materials, such as somecomponents of solar energy, as part of our natural bodilyfunction.

One strong indicator of health is how efficiently ourbodies convert this raw material into energy. When wetalk about "cultivating chi," we are talking about getting ourbodies to make this conversion efficiently.

Now some conversion of course happens naturally, as part of being alive. But to improve ourhealth, we often use other methods to coax our body to be more efficient about converting rawmaterials and distributing the energy created. We can consider all of these methods as "Qigong"or "energy practices".

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Active vs. Passive Qigong

As we mentioned above, Qigong involves a number of practices for "cultivating chi". Thesemethods include movement exercises, focused breathing, meditation, special herbs, diet, andacupuncture.

Active movement is one of the primary and the easiest ways to cultivate chi. That's whyexercise is such a powerful path to improved health. In general, any exercise generates a lot ofchi, but most exercises (running, weight lifting, aerobics, etc.) cause us to expend most of thischi we generate. Unlike most exercises, Tai Chi and active Qigong are structured to allow us toconserve as much of the energy we generate as possible. This conservation allows us to train ourbodies to be efficient in energy generation and to build a "reserve" of energy that can keep ushealthy and vibrant in our daily activities.

While movement exercises are a powerful way to cultivate chi, Qigong also includes anumber of physically "passive" techniques – that is, techniques that involve no bodymovement and are more like meditation. These passive techniques use the intention of the mindrather than movement of the body to help cultivate chi.

In between Active Qigong (with lots of movement) and Passive Qigong (with no movement) arepractices like Chi Manipulation.

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Chapter 3. Qigong Massage and Chi Washing

Between the extremes of Active Qigong (with lots of movement) and Passive Qigong (with nomovement) is one of the most fascinating branches of therapeutic Qigong. And that is ChiManipulation - the ability to use movements of the hands to direct chi energy in andaround the body for improved health, stress relief, and well-being.

The two most useful manipulation techniques are:

Qigong Massage - using the hands to massage areas of the body to affect chi flow1.Chi Washing - using the hands to manipulate the "chi field" surrounding our body2.

These Chi Manipulation techniques can be performed on ourselves or on others. Generally,learning to perform these techniques on others requires years of skill and practice, becausemanipulating chi in another person is difficult to learn. However, many techniques formanipulating one's own chi (self-manipulation) are easy to learn and can be applied to one's ownenergy field safely.

Note: Do not perform any of the techniques in this special report on another person.Perform them only on yourself. Performing chi manipulation techniques on anotherperson - without adequate training - can endanger both your health and safety andthat of the other person. In addition, there are moral considerations that need to beaddressed before manipulating another person's chi.

Qigong Self-Massage

One of the easiest Self-Manipulation practices to learnis Qigong Self-Massage.

Like all Qigong practices, Qigong Self-Massage is builtupon the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). TCM theory looks at the body as consistingof various energy pathways. These pathways areinvolved in the maintenance and distribution of chiwithin the body. These pathways are similar to, but notidentical to, the nervous system pathways used inWestern medicine.

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In addition to these pathways, TCM has identified a number of special "access places" in thehuman body. These are special places on the surface of the body that allow us to directly affectenergy pathways, internal organs, and internal systems. These access places, whichinclude precisely identified points on the human body as well as larger target areas, can bestimulated and activated to help improve chi flow through the pathways to the organs andinternal body systems.

Stimulating Access Points

TCM professionals often stimulate these access points and target areas in their patients todiagnose and solve health problems. However, they may also stimulate them even if there areno specific problems, simply to help improve the overall health and well-being of their patients.

TCM professionals stimulate these places in a number of different ways. Acupuncturists, probablythe most-widely recognized TCM professionals outside Asia, insert needles at precise points onthe body. Acupressurists use their thumbs or fingers to press and manipulate these same pointswithout needles. Tui Na (pronounced "tway-na") massage therapists can also stimulate thesepoints, but may also include deep tissue massage of larger target areas. (Indeed, the Chineseterm Tui-Na, which literally means "push-pull", is indicative of some of the deep tissue workdone during this form of massage.)

Besides outside stimulation by a TCM professional, each of us can stimulate and activate our ownaccess points and target areas to help improve our overall health and well-being. To self-activatethese points, we can use Qigong Self-Massage, a practice that combines elements from thesedisciplines into a self-care system.

ChiFusion™ Qigong Self-Massage

There are many different types of Qigong Self-Massage, and indeed a whole course could bedeveloped around this topic. Here in this special report though, we are going to explore some ofthe more simple techniques. Despite the simplicity of these techniques though, our ChiFusion™students have found these massage practices valuable in helping to maintain health andwell-being, relieve stress and tension, and stimulate chi energy flow.

You can use these Qigong Self-Massage techniques as a warm-up before your regularChiFusion™ practice, or as a cool-down at the end. You can also do them outside of your practiceat any time of day to help relax, renew, and re-invigorate yourself.

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Chi Washing

In addition to Qigong Self-Massage, Chi Washing is anothervaluable technique for health, stress relief, and ChiDevelopment. While Self-Massage focuses onChi pathways and access points inside the body,Chi Washing focuses on the Chi outside the body.

In Chi Washing, you use your hands to direct and affect the chioutside your body. The movements of your hands often aresimilar to the movements you might make while taking a bathor shower, so they are often called "Chi Washing". But unlikewhile bathing or showering, you won't actually be touchingyour skin. You will be touching your energy field.

The Wei Chi Field

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), the chi in our bodycreates an energy field that actually extends out past your skinin all directions. This field may extend anywhere from a few inchesup to a few feet from your body in all directions. This field may also bethe same as the "aura" that is well-known to Western mysticaltraditions.

In Chinese, this field is called Wei Chi (pronounced "way chee"). WeiChi literally means "guard energy." According to TCM, the Wei Chifield is like an energy shield that may help protect us frompathogens and toxic elements in the environment. The field acts as aprotective layer against all types of toxins, whether they are physical,psychological, or energetic in nature.

For example, the Wei Chi is said to help protect against such pathogens as colds or viruses,extreme changes in weather and temperature, daily stress, negative emotions from others, andeven negative thoughts of our own. The strength and thickness of this protective chi layeroften gives us an overall indicator of our health and well-being.

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The Lower Dantien

The Wei Chi energy field is said to emanate fromand be powered by the "energy reservoirs" in thebody. (For more information on energy pathways,energy "reservoirs", and energy "water-pipes", seeeither Lesson 4 in our ChiFusion smaple lessons, orLevel 2 of our Complete ChiFusion course.)

Tai Chi and Qigong view the lower dantien as one of thebody's most important energy collection reservoirs,especially in relationship to storing energy to "power"our protective chi field.

Dantien is a Chinese word that roughly translates to"field of energy." According to Traditional ChineseMedical theory, we have three important "energy fields"which act as collectors in the body. They are the upper, middle, and lower dantien. Tai Chi, andmuch of the chi work we do in the ChiFusion™ program, focuses on the lower dantien.

While the upper dantien is in the head (roughly between the brows in the "third eye") and themiddle dantien is in the chest, the lower dantien is located roughly an inch or two below yournavel. The lower dantien is about half way back into your body - in other words, halfway between your navel in the front and your lower back and spine. The actual positionof the lower dantien varies from person to person, but this positioning will do as a roughguideline. As you gain experience in Tai Chi and Qigong, you will eventually be able to feel theexact position in your own body.

In addition to location, the actual size of the lower dantien also varies from person toperson - and even from moment to moment within each person. For most beginners with little orno experience in lower dantien work, the size is often roughly that of a pearl - though withtraining and practice it often expands to a much larger size.

As part of the Wei Chi energy field "system", the lower dantien and other collectors in the bodycollect energy from the field and surrounding environment, and then may circulate energy backout to the field, to keep chi both in and outside the body from stagnating.

The Chi Washing techniques you'll learn in this special report will help strengthen and improvethis circulation between the lower dantien and the Wei Chi field.

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Section 2: Manipulating Chi Inside the Body

Chapter 4. Qigong Self-Massage: Working With Chi Inside the Body

As we've mentioned, there are many different types ofQigong Self-Massage, and indeed a whole course couldbe developed around this topic. Here in this specialreport though, we are going to explore some of themore simple techniques. The massage techniques youare about to learn are drawn from the arts of Liangongand Daoyin Qigong, as well as acupressure.

Despite the simplicity of these techniques, ourChiFusion™ students have found these massagepractices valuable in helping to maintain health andwell-being, relieve stress and tension, andstimulate chi energy flow.

You can use these Qigong Self-Massage techniques as awarm-up before your regular ChiFusion™ practice, or as a cool-down at the end. You can also dothem outside of your practice at any time of day to help relax, renew, and re-invigorate yourself.As with most Qigong practices, stay relaxed and comfortable while you massage yourself. Youmay want to start with a few minutes of deep breathing to help clear your mind before starting.While massaging, use slow, relaxed movements and motions of your hands and fingers.

As we go through the Qigong Self-Massage techniques, we'll describe the traditional TCM healthindicators associated with each practice. Note that these indicators are provided for informationpurposes only. You should not use this information to self-diagnose problems, as self-diagnosisrequires a lot more experience and information than is presented here. If you have any physicalor energetic problems, please consult a physician and/or TCM professional before engaging inQigong Self-Massage practice. If you experience any pain, discomfort, stress, unusualsymptoms, uneasiness, or any negative changes in your health as a result of massage, pleasediscontinue practicing and seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner.

Now let's begin our exploration of Qigong Self-Massage.

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Chapter 5. Acupressure for the Face and Head - Seven SpecialAccess Points to the Energy Pathways

Given the large number of energy pathways that travel through the head, it is not surprising thatthere are numerous points there that can be stimulated and activated for overall health. Tostimulate these points, we often use acupressure - applying light pressure to the accesspoints. For facial and head acupressure, we recommend using just one finger - either theindex or middle finger - on each hand. Massage each point in a circular manner using amedium pressure. Massage each point for 15-30 seconds, or longer if desired.

We've chosen seven of the many points on the face and head on which to apply acupressure.Some of these points may feel sensitive or sore to the touch. If so, adjust the amount ofpressure. Make the pressure heavy enough so that you can feel some soreness, but not so heavythat you are in pain or discomfort.

Point Nameand Location

Directions Photo Health Indicators

1 DicangOutside

corners of themouth

Begin by taking eitheryour index or middlefingertips and placingthem on the outsidecorners of the mouth.Massage in a circularmotion for 15-30seconds.

Stomach meridian.Also good for

muscles of face,facial paralysis

2 YingxiangOutside of

nostrils

Without removingyour fingers from yourface, trace up fromthe corners of yourmouth to just outsidethe nostrils. Massagethese points justoutside the nostrils ina circular motion for15-30 seconds.

Large Intestinalmeridian. Also good

for relief forcommon cold.

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Point Nameand Location

Directions Photo Health Indicators

3 JingmingInside corner

of eyes

Without removingyour fingers from yourface, trace up eitherside of your nose tothe inside corner ofyour eyes. Massagethese points near thetear ducts in a circularmotion for 15-30seconds.

Urinary/bladdermeridian. Also goodfor eyes, glaucoma,

eye stress anddisorders.

4 Tai yang xweiTemples

Without removingyour fingers from yourface, trace up to theeyebrows, then acrossthe eyebrows to thecenter of the temple(side of the forehead).Massage the templepoints in a circularmotion for 15-30seconds.

Headaches

5 Ting gongTop of

jawbone nearear

Without removingyour fingers from yourhead, trace from thetemples down to thetop of the jawbone(the TMJ point).Massage these pointsin a circular motion for15-30 seconds.

Small intestinemeridian. Also goodfor hearing, stress,and disorders of the

TM joint.

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Point Nameand Location

Directions Photo Health Indicators

6 Bai huiTop of head,on straight

line from topof ears

Without removingyour fingers from yourhead, trace from the

jawbone directly up tothe top of the head tothe Bai hui. Massagethis point with bothfingers in a circularmotion for 15-30

seconds.

Du meridian.Headaches,

dizziness, highblood pressure,

strokes.

7 FengzhiBase of skull,where tendonsof neck begin

Without removingyour fingers from yourhead, trace from theBai hui down the backof the head to the leftand right bases of theskull. Massage thesepoints with yourfingers in a circularmotion for 15-30seconds.

Gall bladdermeridian. Also good

for headaches,dizziness, high

blood pressure, flu.

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Chapter 6. Auricular Massage - Ears as a Microcosm of the Body

Many of you may be familiar with 'reflexology" -a practice that looks at the bottom of the feetas indicators of health for the entire body.Reflexologists have mapped the internal organsonto various parts of the bottom of the feet,and use massage and manipulation of the feetto affect these organs.

In Qigong Self-Massage, the ears have a similarprominence. The outside part of the ear,known as the auricle, is seen as a"microcosm" of our entire body, andmassaging the ears can benefit all the organs ofthe body.

If you visualize a baby curled upside-down and superimposed over the ear, you get an idea ofthe mapping of the ear to the entire body.

In addition to the health benefits of auricular massage (outer ear massage), some of ourChiFusion™ students have reported that this series of massages has been helpful inimproving the sense of chi flow throughout their entire body.

Use gentle, light pulling motions - do not pull too hard on the ear or you may cause damage. Youmay find that your ears are very sore. If so, use just a light pressure. The goal is to make thepressure heavy enough so that you can feel some soreness, but not so heavy that you are indiscomfort or cause damage.

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Photos and Directions

1

Begin by holding your ears - place your index finger inside your ear (not in the ear canal,but on the inside of the auricle or outer ear) and your thumb outside and underneath theear. Make 8 slow circles with your ear in one direction, then 8 circles in the oppositedirection.

During the circles, inhale as you bring your ears forward, exhale as you bring them back.

2

Now hold your ear lobes between your thumb and your index finger. Make 8 slow circleswith your earlobe in one direction, then 8 circles in the opposite direction.

During the circles, inhale as you bring your earlobes forward, exhale as you bring themback.

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Photos and Directions

3

Now pull downward along the outer edge of the ear. Start at the top part of the ear auricle(where it meets the head), pulling with your thumb and index finger along the outer edgeof the ear down to the ear lobe. Allow your fingers to slide off the end of the earlobes.Repeat this motion for a total of 8 times.

During this motion, inhale as you put your thumb and fingers at the starting position,exhale as you pull down.

4

Now take your index or middle finger and trace along behind the ear where the ear meetsthe head. Start at the top part of the ear auricle (where it meets the head), tracedownward to the earlobe. Repeat this motion for a total of 8 times.

During this motion, inhale as you put your fingers at the starting position, exhale as youtrace down.

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Chapter 7. Torso Massage - Working with Internal Organs,Digestion, and Elimination

The following torso massages are a favorite of our students. When performing the torsomassages, use a firm pressure of the hands on the torso for the best effect.

These massages are said to have many benefits for all the internal organs and systems ofthe torso. Of special importance though are the benefits for digestion and elimination. Asyou practice these exercises, always balance the number of repetitions of these four exercises tokeep your digestive system in balance.

We've been told by Qigong masters that massage #1 and massage #4 can be used bythemselves to help with elimination problems. Those who are experiencing constipation and hardstools often practice massage #1 by itself to encourage easier elimination. Those with diarrheaand loose stools often practice massage #4 by itself to balance over-elimination. (Reminder: Thisdescription is provided for information purposes. You should not use this information toself-diagnose problems, especially with the digestive and elimination system. If you have anydigestive problems, please consult a physician and/or TCM professional.)

Photos and Directions

1 Note: Photos are mirror-imaged.Trace up the right side of your stomach, down the left.

Begin by placing your hands, one on top of the other, on your lower abdomen just aboveyour genitals. Massage your lower abdomen in a circular motion - massage up the rightside of your stomach to just below the chest, across the upper stomach, then down the leftside of your stomach, and back to the starting position. Make 8 circles in this direction.

During the circles, inhale as you bring your hands up the right, exhale as you bring themdown the left.

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Photos and Directions

2Note: Photos are mirror-imaged.

Trace up the right side of your torso, down the left.

Continuing on from the last circle above, massage your entire torso in a circular motion -massage up the right side of your torso to the upper chest, across the upper chest, thendown the left side of your torso, and back to the starting position. Make 8 circles in thisdirection

During the circles, inhale as you bring your hands up the right, exhale as you bring themdown the left.

3Note: Photos are mirror-imaged.

Trace up the left side of your torso, down the right,

Now we'll do the reverse of massage #2. Continuing on from the last circle above, massageyour entire torso in a circular motion in the opposite direction - massage up the left side ofyour torso to the upper chest, across the upper chest, then down the right side of yourtorso, and back to the starting position. Make 8 circles in this direction

During the circles, inhale as you bring your hands up the left, exhale as you bring themdown the right.

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Photos and Directions

4Note: Photos are mirror-imaged.

Trace up the left side of your stomach, down the right,

Finally, we'll do the reverse of massage #1. Continuing on from the last circle above,massage your abdomen in a circular motion - massage up the left side of your abdomen tojust below chest, across the upper abdomen, then down the right side of your torso, andback to the starting position. Make 8 circles in this direction

During the circles, inhale as you bring your hands up the left, exhale as you bring themdown the right.

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Chapter 8. Foot Massage and Acupressure - Keeping Your FeetHealthy, Toned, and Relaxed

As mentioned above, there are a number of therapies such as reflexology that look at the footas a microcosm of the entire body. Even if you disregard the theory behind these therapies,massaging our feet to keep them healthy, toned, and relaxed makes sense considering theweight-bearing duties that the foot must perform.

For our final self-massage series in this report, we will look at the feet. The following seriesincorporates both acupressure and massage techniques. Do this entire series in this orderfor one foot, then switch to the other foot and repeat the entire series.

Use a medium-to-firm pressure for both the massage and acupressure techniques. If you findsore spots, make the pressure heavy enough so that you can feel some soreness, but not soheavy that you are in pain or discomfort.

Photos and Directions

1

Begin by kneading the bottoms of your feet with your thumbs. Knead up and down the footfrom the toes down to the heel and back. Knead for about 30-60 seconds with a medium-to-firm pressure.

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Photos and Directions

2

Now take each toe in turn and grasp it with your thumb and index finger. Straighten andstretch each toe out for about 10 seconds, then move on to the next toe.

3Now let's activate four acupressure points - the three points of the foot"tripod" and the "Bubbling Well" point. These points are located:

the center of the heel (first tripod point)a.the ball of the foot behind the biggest toe - technically, the headof the first metatarsal bone in the foot (second tripod point)

b.

the ball of the foot behind the smallest toe - technically, the headof the fifth metatarsal bone in the foot (third tripod point)

c.

hollow depression just behind ball of the foot - between themetatarsals of the second and third toes ("Bubbling Wellacupuncture point)

d.

Massage each of these points with your thumb for 30 seconds per point. Use a medium-to-firm pressure.

Chi Manipulation 24

Photos and Directions

4

Now massage the arch. Using the knuckle of the thumb, rub up and down the arch withmedium-to-firm pressure for at least 30 seconds.

5

Finally, rub down the entire foot - top, bottom, and sides - as well as the ankle. Use the flatof your hand and palm to rub up and down over the entire foot for 30-60 seconds.

Remember when you are finished with one foot, go back and repeat the above series for theother foot.

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Section 3: Manipulating Chi Outside the Body

Chapter 9. Emitting Chi from the Palm of Your Hand

Note: This chapter of Chi Emission is an excerpt from Level 1 ofour Complete ChiFusion Course.

If you have already practiced Chi Emission from either of thesecourses, and can perform it with a steady, stable flow of chifrom your palms, you may skip this chapter and go directly toChi Washing in the next chapter.

As we mentioned in the introduction, the term Qigong literallymeans "energy practice." More precisely, it refers to a familyof practices based on the concept of chi, the internalenergy that runs through our bodies. ("Chi" is also spelled "qi"- as it is in the word "Qigong".) This same concept of chi isfundamental to many Asian health practices, includingacupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine.

Chi Emission

Within this therapeutic branch of Qigong, one area of particularfascination is Chi Emission - the ability to emit chi energyoutside the body on command.

We'd like to show you a simple exercise in chi emission. In thisexercise, you may be able to feel your internal energy as itemanates from the palms of your hands.

This is primarily a "feeling" or "sensing" exercise. We don'twant you to visualize, imagine, hypnotize, or will yourself into feeling something. We want you tokeep your eyes open and not "space out." Above all, we want you to be honest with yourself -either you feel something or you don’t. Either experience is valid and acceptable.

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A Simple Exercise

Sit comfortably in a relaxed position. Take your two hands and place one over the top of theother, as if you were about to clap your hands. The centers of the palms should be in line witheach other, but the hands should not touch.

Now slowly begin to move your hands in one of twoways.

Either (1) make circles with your hands, as if you were rolling asmall ball between them, or (2) move them towards and awayfrom each other slowly in a pulsing motion, as if you wereclapping in slow motion, but without the hands touching. Dothis for two or three minutes, keeping your body and mind asrelaxed as possible.

At some point, most people will feel something betweentheir hands.

The "something" may feel sticky or gooey, like pullingsalt-water taffy, or may feel like two magnets attracting orrepelling each other. Other common "somethings" people feelare: cold or warm spots on their hands (not the normal bodywarmth, but specific spots), the feeling of pushing down on aballoon or spring, a "squishy" feeling to the air between thepalms, or a tingling in the palms.

You may see some visual changes in your hands, as the palmsmay take on a mottled appearance of red and white spots during this exercise.

You may need to play with the distance your hands are apart from each other. Havingthe hands too close together or too far apart may not be effective. You need to find the distancethat works for you, and this distance will be different for each person.

The feeling of "something" between your hands is simply the result of chi that naturallyemanates from your palms. Again, this not a visualization or imagination exercise. Just honestlyask yourself, "Do I feel something?" If you do feel something, you will know it with certainty.

Some people will have this feeling on the first attempt. Others may need to practice this exerciseseveral times over a few days before sensing the chi from their palms. Most people will feel

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something within a week or two of practice.

If you are having trouble feeling anything, it's helpful to practice some moving Qigong, Tai Chi,yoga, full-body stretching, or meditation to open up the chi channels before each time youattempt the exercise. In addition, the Qigong Self-Massage techniques in this special report maybe very helpful.

What is Chi?

For those of you who have some sort of feeling, what you feel is the effect of chi emanating fromyour palms. "Chi" is the Chinese word for internal energy, and the concept of chi is theunderlying basis for all of Qigong, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture. Theconcept is that we have energy pathways that run through are body. These pathways are similarto the nervous system, and some teachers equate chi with the bioelectric energy that runsthrough our brains, spines, and nerves.

The exercises that you’ve learned in our Complete ChiFusion Course are not merely stretchingexercises. They are also designed to activate and affect the various chi pathways through yoursystem. Part of what we’ve been doing is opening those pathways through focused movement.

What You Are Feeling

Far from being something mystical orimaginary, what you are feeling between yourpalms is scientifically measurable.

Scientific research over the last few yearshas arrived at an explanation for chiemission in terms of infrasonic waves.

Infrasonic waves are sound waves vibrating below 20 Hertz (Hz) - too slow to be audible to thehuman ear. Every living person emits these waves from the palms of their hands. These waveshave been measured in a number of scientific experiments and have become a well-establishedscientific fact.

With Qigong training, we can learn to increase these waves, and also direct them

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through any part of our body. In one research study, 29 Americans with no prior Qigongtraining had the intensity of the infrasonic waves from their palms measured both before andafter a week of Qigong practice. After the training, the average intensity of the waves emittedwas 500% greater than before the training. And as part of the same study, one Qigong masterwas able to generate waves 1000 times greater than the average person emits.

Adding to these studies, Western medicine is exploring the value of distance healing methodsthat include therapeutic touch - using healing energy in the hands - when working with patients.In the long run, therapeutic touch and chi emission may actually involve more than justinfrasonic waves. But the fact that at least one component can be measured suggests that chiemission is more than just part of our imagination.

In higher levels of the ChiFusion™ program, we'll use this healing energy from our hands for anumber of purposes. Chi emission also forms the basis of Chi Washing that you'll learn in thenext chapter.

So it's important at this time to practice this Chi Emission exercise regularly, so thatyou can consistently and regularly feel the energy in the palms of your hands. It's a safeand effective exercise you can do almost anytime and anywhere. Practice it for a few momentsdaily, and enjoy the increased awareness and energetic sensitivity that it brings you.

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Chapter 10. Chi Washing: Manipulating the Chi Field Outside theBody

As we mentioned earlier, Chi Washing involves using yourhands to direct and affect the chi outside your body. Themovements of your hands often are similar to the movementsyou might make while taking a bath or shower, so they areoften called "Chi Washing". But unlike while bathing orshowering, you won't actually be touching your skin. You willbe touching your energy field.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), the chi in ourbody creates an energy field that actually extends outpast your skin in all directions. This field may extendanywhere from a few inches up to a few feet from your body inall directions. In Chinese, this field is called Wei Chi(pronounced "way chee"). Wei Chi literally means "guardenergy." According to TCM, the Wei Chi field is like an energy shield that may help protectus from pathogens and toxic elements in the environment. The field acts as a protective layeragainst all types of toxins, whether they are physical, psychological, or energetic in nature.

For example, the Wei Chi is said to help protect against such pathogens as colds or viruses,extreme changes in weather and temperature, daily stress, negative emotions from others, andeven negative thoughts of our own. The strength and thickness of this protective chi layeroften gives us an overall indicator of our health and well-being.

Chi Washing is an Extension of Chi Emission

Chi Washing is an extension of the Chi Emission work we covered in the last chapter. In thatchapter, you learned a simple exercise that allowed you to feel your chi as it emanated from thepalms of your hands. It's important that you are able to perform that exercise well, so that youcan consistently and regularly feel the energy in the palms of your hands. We will be building onthat skill in this chapter.

We're now going to take that energy sensitivity in the palms of your hands, and extend itto increase your sensitivity to the Wei Chi emanating from your arms, shoulder, and yourtorso. What follows is a step-by-step breakdown of how to sense the Wei Chi field.

To get a good result from this experiment, it's important that you perform these steps below

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fully and completely in this order! In other words, do not go on to Step 2, unless you have agood sense of the energy described in Step 1. Do not go on to Step 3, unless you feel the energyof Step 2, etc.

Practice these steps up until you reach a step where you do not feel the energy described. Staywith that step for a few minutes, then discontinue your practice session if the sensation doesn'tappear. Wait several hours, or until the next day, then start the process over with Step 1.

For example, let's say you feel the energy described in Steps 1, 2, and 3, but are unable to feelthe energy in Step 4. If that happens, stay with Step 4 for a few minutes. If after a few minutesthe sensation doesn't happen, stop practicing. Later that day or tomorrow, start over at Step 1.

Always stop when you reach a step that doesn't seem to work for you. Stop even if you don'tget as far as you did the day before! For example, even if you got to Step 4 yesterday, butStep 3 isn't working today, stop at Step 3. Once you stop, wait several hours or a full day beforere-attempting.

If you practice this way consistently over a number of days orweeks, you will increase your sensitivity and awareness muchmore quickly than if you try to rush through or force any ofthese steps. You will eventually be able to accomplish all thesteps consistently and accurately in every practice sessionthrough persistent training and practice.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to begin sensing theWei Chi field.

Begin by performing the Chi Emission experiment fromthe last chapter. As we mentioned in that experiment,place your hands next to each other and slowly beginto move them in one of two ways. 1) Make circles withyour hands, as if you were rolling a small ball betweenthem, or 2) move them towards and away from eachother slowly in a pulsing motion, as if you were clappingin slow motion, but without the hands touching. (Reviewthe last chapter if you need more detailed directions forthis experiment.) Look for those strong feelings of chi we described in the last chapter.

As we also said in the last chapter, you may need to play with the distance your hands areapart from each other to get the proper feeling. Having the hands too close together or toofar apart may not be effective. You need to find the distance that works for you, and thisdistance will be different for each person. However, this distance can be used as anindication of the thickness of your Wei Chi field as it is in the palm of your hand.

1.

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Remember, you are looking for a definite "feeling" of chi, such as a sticky or gooey feelingbetween the hands, like pulling salt-water taffy, or like two magnets attracting or repellingeach other. Or you may get the feeling of cold or warm spots on the hands (not the normalbody warmth, but specific spots), the feeling of pushing down on a balloon or spring, a"squishy" feeling in the space between the palms, or a tingling in the palms. You may seesome visual changes in your hands, as the palms may take on a mottled appearance of redand white spots during this exercise.

Get a strong feeling of the chi between the palms of your hands before moving onto the next step. If you do not have strong feelings of chi, stay with this step for a fewminutes, then discontinue your practice session if the sensation doesn't appear. Waitseveral hours, or until the next day, then start the process over with Step 1.

After completing the previous step, and continuing thecircular or in-and-out motion of your hands, move yourright hand up to the wrist of the left arm. Move yourhand slowly enough so that the energy sensation fromyour palms is pulled up to your left wrist. Stop at yourwrist, staying on the inside (palm-side) of your wrist.

Try to get the chi feeling in both the palm of yourright hand and the wrist of the left arm. Again, you'llneed to play with the distance of your hand from yourwrist. In other words, your Wei Chi field may be thickeror thinner at your wrist. You need to find the correct distance that gives you the feeling ofchi in your hand and in your wrist.

Get a strong feeling of the chi in your hand and wrist before moving on to thenext step. If you do not have strong feelings of chi, stay with this step for a few minutes,then discontinue your practice session if the sensation doesn't appear. Wait several hours,or until the next day, then start the process over with Step 1.

2.

Continuing the circular or in-and-out motion of your hand, move your right hand downaway from your left wrist back to your palm. Re-establish the feeling of chi in yourhands, then work your left hand to your right wrist, just the opposite position of theprevious step. Move your hand slowly enough so that the energy sensation from yourpalms is pulled up to your right wrist. Stop at your wrist.

Try to get the chi feeling in both the palm of your left hand and in your rightwrist. You'll need to play with the distance of your hand from your wrist, and it may bedifferent than the distances from your palm and your other wrist. (Over time, with furtherpractice, you'll smooth out the different distances until they are more consistent. For nowthough, you may find many differences in thickness of your Wei Chi field in the different

3.

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parts of your body.)

Again, look for definite feelings of chi in the hand and wrist. Get a strong feeling of thechi in your hand and wrist before moving on to the next step. If you do not havestrong feelings of chi, stay with this step for a few minutes, then discontinue your practicesession if the sensation doesn't appear. Wait several hours, or until the next day, thenstart the process over with Step 1.

Now move your left hand back down to your right palmand re-establish the chi feeling there. Now work yourright hand up your left arm to the elbow. (Onceagain, you've switched arms and hands from the laststep.) Try to pull the sensation of chi from your palms upover your left wrist and up your arm to your elbow. Stayon the inside (palm-side) of your forearm. Stop at theelbow. Vary the distance as you move up your arm togive you the strongest sensation.

Get a strong feeling of the chi in your hand andelbow before moving on to the next step. If you do not have strong feelings of chi,stay with this step for a few minutes, then discontinue your practice session if thesensation doesn't appear. Wait several hours, or until the next day, then start the processover with Step 1.

4.

Now move your right hand back down to your left palm and re-establish the chi feelingthere. Then work your left hand up your right arm to your elbow. (Again, you'veswitched arms and hands from the last step.) Try to pull the sensation of chi from yourpalms up over your right wrist and up your right arm to your elbow. Stay on the inside(palm-side) of your forearm. Stop there at the elbow. Vary the distance as you move upyour arm to give you the strongest sensation.

Get a strong feeling of the chi in your hand and elbow before moving on to thenext step. If you do not have strong feelings of chi, stay with this step for a few minutes,then discontinue your practice session if the sensation doesn't appear. Wait several hours,or until the next day, then start the process over with Step 1.

5.

Continuing the pattern we've been following, work your way back down to your palm,re-establish the palm feeling, switch hands and work the right hand to your leftshoulder. Establish the feeling of chi there, go back down to your palms, and now upyour left hand to your right shoulder. Remember, we work our way up our left arm,get a feeling of chi there, then back down to our palm, then up the right arm to theshoulder, getting a feeling of chi there, and back down to our palm.

6.

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Follow the same pattern and work your way past yourarm and shoulder, up to about half-way between yourshoulder and the centerline of your body on the frontof your torso, approximately chest high. Establish goodfeelings of chi on the left side of the torso underneathyour hand before going back down the left arm, then upthe right arm to the right side. Get good feelings of chion both sides before you move on to the next step.

7.

Follow the same pattern and work your way up your armand shoulder, all the way towards your centerline onthe front of your torso, chest high. Establish good feelings of chi on the front of the torsounderneath your hand before switching hands. Get good feelings of chi on both sidesbefore you move on to the next step.

8.

Follow the same pattern and work your way up your arm and shoulder, to your centerline,and down your centerline, half-way to your navel/lower dantien. Establish goodfeelings of chi on the front of the torso underneath your hand before switching hands. Getgood feelings of chi on both sides before you move on to the next step.

9.

Follow the same pattern and work your way up your arm and shoulder, to your centerline,and down your centerline, all the way down to your lower dantien near your navel.Establish good feelings of chi on the front of the torso underneath your hand beforeswitching hands. Get good feelings of chi on both sides before you move on to the nextstep.

10.

It's important that you follow these steps precisely, and practice according to thedirections. Practice these steps up until you reach a step where you do not feel the energydescribed. Stay with that step for a few minutes, then discontinue your practice session if thesensation doesn't appear. Wait several hours, or until the next day, then start the process overwith Step 1.

Even if it takes you days or weeks, it will be time well spent. This process is important inimproving your sensitivity and awareness to your Wei Chi, as well as to help strengthen yourenergy field and improve circulation to it.

If you've followed the above steps, you will have a good sense of your Wei Chi field from yourpalm, all the way up your arm to your shoulder, across your chest, and down your centerline toyour navel.

In addition to the value you'll get from practicing Chi Washing on its own, it becomes even morevaluable when you learn the Energetic material for Tai Chi in Level 3 of our Complete ChiFusionCourse.

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In Level 3, we teach you how to "power up" your Wei Chi field from your dantien with oneTai Chi movement. (Yes, you need to learn only one movement to learn this skill.) You will findthis skill of Chi Washing will serve you well when you go on to learn the Energetics behindTai Chi in our Complete Course.

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Appendix A. Final Words

Congratulations on completing this special report on "Qigong Self-Massage and Chi Washing". Ihope that you now have a better understanding of Chi Manipulation, and that you've learnedsome valuable techniques to improve your health, stress relief, and Chi Development.

Of course, Qigong Self-Massage and Chi Washing are just a small part of Tai Chi and Qigong. Ifyou would like to really boost your Chi Development to its highest levels, you would benefitgreatly from our ChiFusion courses.

To help you get the full benefits of Chi Development, here are the links for our ChiFusioncourses:

ChiFusion Sample Lessonshttp://www.CloudWater.com

ChiFusion Complete Coursehttp://www.CloudWater.com/taichi/advanced-training

And thank you again for purchasing this report and supporting our work. We appreciate havingdedicated students like you who show their support.

As always, you have my best wishes for success in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development,

Al SimonCertified Tai Chi Master,Three-time Inductee into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame

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Appendix B. About the Author

Al Simon

Al Simon learned his first Qigong exercises in 1975(back when it was called "Chinese yoga"). He studiedZen meditation in 1982 and began Tai Chi in 1984. Hereceived certification in Yang-Style Tai Chi from MasterLawrence Galante, author of the book Tai Chi - TheSupreme Ultimate. Al is also mentioned in the bookMastering Yang Style Taijiquan.

Al has been inducted into the United States Martial ArtsHall of Fame three times for his contributions to Tai Chi,Qigong, and martial arts. Al was inducted with therank of "Master" by the International Martial ArtsHeadfounders Grandmasters Council. He was alsoinducted with the rank of "Founder" for thedevelopment of ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong.

Al also wrote the best selling book 50 True Chi Stories (www.Chi-Stories.com) that includesinspirational stories from fifty people whose lives have been made better by Tai Chi and Qigong.His latest book is To Float Like Clouds, To Flow Like Water: Tai Chi as a Zen Path toMindfulness, available from Amazon.com. (www.TaiChiZenBook.com).

Al also appeared as a guest on both season one and season two of the Living Energy Secretsseries, as well as BlogTalk Radio’s Secrets of the Qigong Masters. In addition, Al's articles onTai Chi have appeared in magazines such as Wholistic Alternatives, Natural Health Newsletter,The Empty Vessel, and Qi Journal.

Al is also a member of Mensa, the high IQ society for those whose intelligence test scores are inthe upper two percent of the general population.

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