Last week on The Science of Happiness, we discussed the scientifically proven health benefits of the ancient Chinese practice of qigong with Harvard psychologist Peter Wayne. This week, we practice a standing meditation, with qigong master Sherry Zhang.
Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3t5wdexe
How to Do This Practice:
- Take a moment to stand upright with your feet together and take a few deep breaths.
- Have your eyes looking forward.
- Soften your knee.
- Gently shift your weight onto your left leg and step your right foot aside.
- Face your palms inward, with your fingers relaxed and pointing down.
- With your chin slightly in, relax both shoulders, and tuck in your tailbone.
- Ground your feet and relax your knees, armpits, and fingers.
- Take a deep breath and exhale.
- Spend a few moments focused on your natural breathing and relaxed body.
- Now, bring your right foot back, so both feet are together.
- Lengthen your spine.
- Take a moment to observe how your body feels, until your breathing slows.
- Next, bring your hands together and rub them together vigorously, creating heat in between your palms.
- Now "wash" your face with your hands.
- "Wash" the side of your ears, to the back of your ears, the back of your neck.
- Now relax both hands at the front of your chest.
- Repeat this practice for one to five minutes.
Today’s Happiness Break host:
Sherry Zhang is the founder of Tai Chi Solutions and a Master Teacher of Qigong. She is faculty at Pacific College of Health and Sciences in New York City.
If you enjoyed this Happiness Break, you may also like these ones:
Walk Your Way to Calm (Guided Meditation), with Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/4w37zwpy
A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier: https://tinyurl.com/4dv4ckzc
Check out these episodes of The Science of Happiness about movement-based practices:
How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body: https://tinyurl.com/2ywsck4e
Episode 5: Walk Outside with Inside Out’s Pete Docter: https://tinyurl.com/2nfc94zb
We love hearing from you! Tell us what movement based practice you’ve tried!
Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
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