Types of Practices from Around the World to get you Through your Day

Author: Sydney Scott

Types of Ancient Healing/Strength Building Practices from Around the World to get you through your Day

What are Healing/Strength Building Practices? And Why Practice?

Healing and Strength Building Practices can be anything from Martial, ancient physical and mental practices, to modern day Yoga derived from those.

These practices are so much more than you may think. They focus on enhancing your balance, muscle strength, and controlled diaphragmatic breathing (which is learning to breathe deeper in correct patterns and motions).

Some of these practices not only do this, but they aim to energize you throughout your day, and provide mental clarity and strength.

Following are some of these practices that I highly recommend giving a go.

QiGong

https://www.holdenqigong.com/

Qigong, “the art of effortless power,” is an ancient traditional Chinese practice which dates back 4,000 years from the religion, civilisation, and beliefs of Taoism. Qigong is made up of many coordinated body posture, intricate flowing movements, and timed controlled breathing. The aim is to rid old stagnant Qi (energy), and cultivate Healthy Qi (energy), as well as allowing your energy to flow through your body.

Qigong has developed throughout the years but other practices have been derived from this, most commonly Tai chi.

There are multiple forms of Qigong, including….

Medical Qigong - Practitioners regulate Qi for medical purposes using Qi massage.

Martial Qigong - Traditional martial meditation to enhance battle tactics, movements, and instincts.

Spiritual Qigong - Use Qigong as a means to achieve a state of consciousness that brings clarity, wisdom, and blissful life, as well as a clear mind.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi as I mentioned before was derived from Qigong 3,000 years ago from the Taoist beliefs of traditional ancient Chinese martial arts.

Tai Chi revolves around the idea of Yin and Yang and balancing these factors within.

It can sometimes be referred to, or known as shadow-boxing. It is similar to Qigong in the fact that it involves Qigong as a whole, but broadens the form of Martial Qigong.

Therefore Tai Chi was promoted for its health benefits like Qigong but evolved into a martial practice that focuses on Qigong flowing awareness exercises involving striking and attacking, as well as weapons; making Tai Chi a fighting art.

Liu he ba fa

Liu he ba fa was thought to be primarily created around the time of the Five Dynasties (907-960), and the Song Dynasties (960-1279). It is sometimes referred to as water-boxing, because of the types of soft flowing, yet powerful movements within the boxing forms.

Liu he ba fa is made up of differing hand forms, weapon forms, and internal exercises; like meditation.

Liu he ba fa is translated as Six Harmonies, and Eight Methods.

Six Harmonies

1. Body and mind combine

2. Mind and intent combine

3. Intent and Qi combine

4. Qi and spirit combine

5. Spirit and movement combine

6. Movement and emptiness combine

IN FULL …

One’s body should be fit, and in tune with one’s mind. One’s mind should be capable of controlling one’s desires to convert into intent. One’s intention should be sharply focused on each movement, and the movements are led by one’s mind and intention. Intention, rather than physical force, is used. As a result, at the connecting points of different postures, although physical strength appears to be momentarily disconnected, one’s intention connects the postures and makes them a seamless whole.

Eight Methods

1. Qi

2. Bone

3. Shape

4. Follow

5. Rise

6. Return

7. Retain

8. Conceal

Liu he ba fa’s exact practices have been passed down for many generations, through oral traditions. The practice was considered almost sacred, and therefore only a handful of the mentally and physically strongest students, as well as those with moral character, and courage, were taught this art. Due to this Liu he ba fa is unknown, and enveloped in mystery.

Water Style for Beginners (Liu He Ba Fa) Part 1. https://www.tmaa.com

Yoga

https://www.yogaanytime.com/

Yoga is an ancient practice that is believed to most likely originated in India. It involves movement, meditation, and breathing techniques.

Yoga is popular for enhancing and promoting an individual's endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility, and mental health.

The Original Forms of Yoga

Hatha Yoga - The oldest and most practiced yoga. Focuses on priming the mind and body.

Raja Yoga - Meditation and strict discipline known as the eight limbs of yoga. Raja not only involves yoga, but also a whole lifestyle that one would have to keep with.

Karma Yoga - One of the three classical Hindu paths for Moshka (Spiritual Liberation). A practice of action to achieve a spiritual state known as Moshka; Karma yoga believes that genuine effort, hard work, and determination is one of the pathways to Moshka.

Bhakti Yoga - One of the three classical Hindu paths for Moshka. Bhakti Yoga is a spiritual

yoga focused on acts of devotion to any personal deity. The overall goal of Bhakti is to attain oneness with your personal divine through the pathway of your practice.

Jnana Yoga - One of the three classical Hindu paths for Moshka. Jnana Yoga revolves around the path of knowledge as well as the path of self-realization. Jnana is Sanskrit for, “wisdom.” The main concepts of this practice is for one to attain true knowledge of the nature of reality through meditation, self-inquiry, and contemplation. One may also realize the true nature of Maya, (the power that creates illusion of the physical world) or (The veil between the physical world and the reality of the spiritual world).

Tantric Yoga - Yoga practice that focuses on reaching spiritual enlightenment, through connecting with your inner energy. Tantric, as in Tantra, meaning in Sanskrit, “Weaving.”

Modern-day Forms of Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga - Also known as Flow Yoga. Vinyasa is a form of yoga where each pose connects to another therefore creating a flow. In Sanskrit, ‘Nyasa,” means, “to place,” and, “Vi,” means, “in a special way.” In Vinyasa repetitive movements are avoided to prevent injury, and everytime one practices, the experience differs.

Bikram Yoga - Also known as Hot Yoga. Bikram is a form of yoga that repeats 26 poses over a period of 90 minutes. It is referred to as Hot Yoga because it is practiced in a heated room.

Iyengar Yoga - Iyengar Yoga is a modern yoga that is unlike any other form. This is because it requires the use of many types of equipment. This is because Iyengar is focused on creating perfect alignment throughout one’s body in every pose, therefore strengthening the core; this practice relies on the precision and symmetry of the body.

Summary

I really, truly, recommend that you give one of these practices a go. There is so much content and information on the internet that can guide you through your practice, as well as many online classes.

I remember first starting my Qigong and Yoga journey, and not being fully committed to it.

But after at least a month of doing it 5-6 times a week I saw the true benefits of my practice.

I feel energized throughout the day, and overall feel a connection to my practice; I love it, and I don’t think if I’ll ever stop. It’s so significant that once you feel the full connection of your practice you’ll never stop.

All you need is to match yourself with the practice that suits you.

Written by: Sydney Scott