Qigong "Side Effects"

You’ve heard me say it often: “Be sure to modify the movements so they feel good to you. Go slower, move in a smaller range, or skip it all together if it doesn’t feel right.” One thing I often forget to mention, however, is that you may experience some initially disconcerting side effects, especially when you first begin practicing Qigong. This is not at all unusual. The most common one is dizziness or light-headedness. If you’re not used to taking deep, slow breaths, your system will need time to adjust to all that oxygen. If this happens to you, simply take a break and breathe normally for a minute or two until the dizziness abates. Other side effects people report include feeling very warm, or tingly, or perhaps sensing a kind of heaviness (or lightness) in the limbs. These are all good signs that your qi is flowing! Of course, if you experience any discomfort or unease, please be sure to speak to me; we can figure out together how to adjust your practice so it feels better to you.

Qigong is gentle, yet works in profound and powerful ways. As you gain experience (and it doesn’t take long) you’ll come to recognize and enjoy the unique sensations of qi circulating through your mind, body and spirit. You’ll soon notice other “side effects” accruing from regular practice: increased immunity, more flexibility, lower blood pressure, better sleep, improved digestion, clearer thinking,  joy, and a renewed zest for life.