Qigong for Emotional Balance

Practicing White Tiger Qigong for emotional balance has been a key to maintaining a balanced and positive state of mind.

Many emotional bodies on the planet today exist in an overstimulated state, when we attune the body and focus the mind we begin to direct the internal state independently of external stimuli. This frees up immense amounts of energy that support higher brain function and adaptogenic immune response, amongst a host of other tertiary benefits. When addressed via White Tiger Qigong for emotional balance there is an emphasis on a trinity approach; body (external) breath (solvency) and spirit (internal). When we engage all three aspects we create a synergistic balancing effect. 

To achieve the emotional balance we begin by looking at the primary duality of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  As long as our sympathetic nervous system (known as the fight or flight mechanism) is engaged endemically, our ability to adapt is obstructed. Balancing controlled stress triggers and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (known as the rest and digest mechanism) begins to bring the nervous system’s two aspects into balance. Exposure to controlled stress modulates our body's response to stresses, however, this effect cannot take place until the system is given a chance to rest. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system brings about a state of relaxation and begins activating our sense of tranquility which is an intrinsic initial step on the path of creating pathways to emotional balance.

When addressing the physical (external) aspect of white tiger qigong practice, fascia is a primary focus. The fascia is a unifying layer that encases nerves, bones, joints, muscles, glands, and organs. Qi flows within the body along the facial pathway. Tightness and looseness throughout the tissues create an effect similar to the tuning on a string instrument. This informs the harmonics throughout the cellular body. This fascial layer is held in a tensegrity; a term commonly utilized to refer to tensile integrity which occurs when something becomes structurally supported when put into a state of tension thus the mobility and structural integrity are held in a state of dynamic balance.  When we work through the fascial layer we are able to affect the other layers of our biological system. 

Even though we often generate feelings from a mental construct they are ultimately expressed and stored in the fascial tissues and within the organs. When we balance the tensegrity of the facial system and subsequently the organs and nervous system, we bypass the mental layer and change the vibrational signature directly. 

In White Tiger Qigong the organs are associated with specific emotional patterns. The health of an organ dictates to some degree whether a person will experience the virtuous or the imbalanced variation of emotion. Each organ is also connected to one of the 5 elements, (spleen/earth, heart/fire, kidneys/water, lungs/metal liver/wood). By balancing the active and receptive (known as yang and yin) principles in each organ’s element we bring balance to the whole system.

 On a molecular level, all of our cells and tissues are vibrating in relation to each other. When we experience what is known as a virtuous emotion, such as compassion or forgiveness, the body vibrates in harmonic frequencies. When these vibrations are harmonic they feel good inside the body. If these vibrations move out of a harmonic state it creates a feeling that is uncomfortable. This discomfort is the seed of imbalanced emotions such as fear, worry, anger, sadness, dissatisfaction. Focusing on the virtues stimulates a vibrational state that brings inharmonic emotional frequencies back into balance.

In the (internal) aspect of the practice, we engage the mind in the process of emotional balance. This is the engagement of “YI” which is considered a projection of intention and will.  When we focus our YI on the virtuous emotions we are confronted with the sense that we are creator beings. We begin to feel courage, honor, kindness, joy, nourishment, and peace. 

As we focus the Yi (intention) summoning these states without any external stimuli the ability to create different emotional states for ourselves becomes apparent. As we progress in our discipline we become more adept in this process until we are able to maintain our internal state of being throughout the day, especially when we are confronted with life's various challenges.

Breath is both voluntary and involuntary. It is the connection point between substantial and insubstantial. Breathing is our interface between internal and external. Breath is a key element in consciously engaging the nervous system, lymphatic system, glandular system, immune system. Breath modulates the body’s adaptogenic response to stress. In White Tiger Qigong it is considered critical to engage body, breath, and spirit. and in this article, I believe I have outlined how and why this is true for those seeking emotional balance.

Discover our Qigong for Emotional Balance online courses

by: Gaven Horne

Certified White Tiger Qigong Instructor

Listen to how White Tiger Qigong helped Kamau achieve emotional balance through a tough relationship.