Many practitioners (I'm not a teacher, rather a forever student) concur that Hatha Yoga (postures or asanas) moves at a moderate or fast pace, focusing upon static postures that strengthen; it has always felt to me very much a masculine or yang system, no matter how much I slow it down or try to soften the postures. Qigong is felt to be a distinctly more flowing movement practice, often quite slow; far more feminine or yin in its character. Yoga usually requires greater athleticism while Qigong can be done by nearly everyone, no matter their physical limitations. That said, there are certainly some Yoga vinyasas (flows) that are less rigid while some Qigong videos present far less flow than others (I've found those to be presented by teachers who began with Yoga and added Qigong later so they seemingly still retain the rigidity.
I began practicing Yoga more than a decade ago, which led me to the holistic medical system of Ayurveda, both traditional practices in India for many thousands of years. The practice of Hatha Yoga suited me for a while, granting me greater strength and focus (even though I didn't 'advance' very far in the postures). As I had never been an athletic or "exercise" person per se, I surprised myself in keeping to a fairly consistent practice. That was then.
Moving through my mid-fifties, and following an accident that limited my mobility for several months, I found myself less satisfied with the practice of Yoga as it pertained to postures. My body felt so much more stiff than ever before and most of the postures weren't just uncomfortable but downright painful. I kept at the Yoga I knew for a while but began to realize something needed to shift. This is now.
Last week, as it happens, I received an email invitation to observe a free Qigong Summit (via the Shift Network, an organization that has provided me with many helpful programs over the years). Yes. This resonates on multiple levels. I'm ready for a change. I had tried Tai Chi many, many years ago but found it too difficult; Qigong is much more simple, especially in the beginning. Not that I will completely abandon Hatha Yoga but can feel an inner knowing that Qigong is where I need to be residing right now for movement and healing and wellness as I edge closer to turning sixty.
All of us need to move consciously in our lives, to keep the energy (Prana or Qi or Chi) flowing, the energy that heals.
What do YOU need? Where is your body, mind, and spirit guiding you?
