Face Qigong

Prep

The Head and Face Qigong starts by warming the hands with Qi, focusing on the first three fingertips of each hand that will be used to apply and stimulate the Qi. Relax the arms so the hands are below the elbows and rub them together with vigor but without muscular effort. Then a good stance is assumed (like a Taiji stance), bending the knees slightly, unlocking the hip joints, and allowing the spine to be plumb upright. The feeling is as if sitting down on a tall stool and growing the spine at the same time. The spine grows by allowing the crown point of the skull (the Bai Hui point) to feel suspended from above, while you sit down in your legs. This feeling will become more clear with daily practice.

1. First Step

The first part of the head to be washed is the forehead, the index finger riding at about the hairline and the little finger riding just below the eyebrow. Start by laying the palm on the forehead with the fingertips at the temple. Turn the head, keeping the neck relaxed by thinking about pushing, instead of pulling, the head to turn it. When you have turned as far as is comfortable, change palms and turn in the other direction. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

2. Prep again, (see top paragraph).

Next is around the eyes, beginning with index, middle and ring fingertips of both hands resting at the bridge of the nose. Ensure you do not put any pressure on the eyeballs themselves as you proceed. Slowly trace around the eyes, first across the eyebrows, then out to the temples, and then back under the eyes along the lower edge of the eye socket. Then return full circle to the bridge of the nose. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

3. Prep again, (see top paragraph).

Next is under the eyes, one finger riding on top of the cheekbone and the other below, pulling again to the tops of the ears. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

4. Prep again.

Next along the nose, one finger on the side if the nose and one next to the nose on the face, pulling from the bridge of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

5. Prep again.

Next, using the right hand only, run the middle finger along the top lip and the index finger rubbing the nostrils, alternately closing the right passing one way and the left passing the other. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

6. Prep again.

Next the middle finger running in the channel in front of the ears and the index finger riding on the bone behind the ears, from the top of the ears down to the corner of the jaw. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

7. Prep again.

Next the index finger runs under the jaw line and the middle finger runs just above the jaw line from the corner of the jaw to the tip of the chin. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

8. Prep again.

Next locate the hollow at the base of the rear of the skull. Massage this hollow with the fingertips and then pull along the base of the skull, around the neck to the middle of the throat. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least nine times using whatever pressure feels best.

9. Prep again.

Next place the thumbs on the backs of the ears and massage the front of the ears with the index and middle fingers. Do this in three parts, starting with the top third of the ears, nine times, prep again, middle third nine times, prep again and bottom third and ear lobes nine times last. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed.

10. Prep again.

Place both palms over the eyes sealing out as much light as possible and being careful not to put any pressure on the eyeballs, open the eyes wide and look as to the horizon. Feel the energy of the palms being absorbed into the eyes and the toxins from the eyes being neutralized by the palms. Relax here for several deep and slow breath cycles. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed.

11. Prep again.

Seal the ears with the palms, laying the fingers on the base of the skull. Flick the index fingers off the middle fingers so that they drum the skull. Keep the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands relaxed. Repeat at least forty-nine (49) times using whatever pressure feels best.

12. Last Step

Stand and observe your breathing and your breath for at least seven cycles.