QiGong Tapping

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that involves cultivating and balancing the body's energy through posture and breathing techniques. For this guide, we're going to explain how Qigong tapping can awaken sleeping energy in each part of the body and charge the Qi.

What Is Qigong Tapping? 

Qigong tapping is a variant of Qigong and ancient practice. This method involves tapping certain parts of the body to release pent-up energy acquired by stress or emotional imbalance. Its primary purpose is to influence the body's meridians and channel a free flow of energy.

The routine of Qigong or chi kung has several benefits and multi-layered effects to charge the body's qi.

What Is the Purpose of Qigong Tapping?

The main purpose of the qigong tapping is to awaken lying energy by tapping on the body's acupressure points. It can soothe the body muscles, increase blood and energy flow and relieve stress.

Qigong tapping can also stimulate the lymphatic system and eliminate negative energy and toxins. The forms differ in pattern, rhythm, and sequence.

Some forms of Qigong tapping can calm the body, while others may help invigorate the body. Regardless, these methods all work to help treat illnesses and balance the body's energy.

How to Practice Qigong Tapping

Qigong tapping follows the process of stimulating key meridian points to release energy and balance the mind and the body. It involves a 3-step process of warm-up, activation, and flow of energy.

• Warm-up: The warm-up practices help strengthen the body by tapping into the energy within. These stretching exercises generally engage various muscle groups to condition the body.
• Activation: This process awakens the body's energy to step into your potential power. Activation brings out the body's dormant energy, letting the body and mind get an abundant flow of Qi. This happens as you tap or massage specific meridian points.
• Flow of energy: In flowing exercises, you're letting the Qi move you instead of using willpower to harness energy. When in flow, you have a feeling of oneness as you move with the energy o nature in a deeply peaceful and calming way.

How to Get Started

The tapping method involves a meditative tempo combined with simple movements for maximum effect. Anybody can practice it regardless of their physical strength or age limit.

• Rub your palms together, applying gentle pressure on your palms. As your hands warm up, blood flows to the surface, and Qi follows the blood.
• Point the second and third fingers on each hand out in front of you. (Just as you would an imaginary gun)
• Tap each meridian point gently at first. Over time, you can start to tap harder once your body starts to get accustomed to the tappings.

How to Tap the Meridian Points

Qigong tapping focuses on key meridian lines and acupressure points on the body. Each meridian point affects a specific organ or part of the body.

You can find the meridian points at the top of the head, several points around the face, in the torso, and down the arms and legs. They also overlap with several lymph nodes, including those around the breastbone. Here are a few meridian lines for you to focus on during your qigong tapping routine.

Head Meridian Points

Using the second and third fingers of both hands, tap each head meridian point gently at first. Over time, you can use the whole hand and apply more pressure as you feel the energy flowing.

• Top of the head: Lightly pat the top of the head to awaken sleeping energy from the brain.
• Back of the head: Pat this portion to charge Qi for the pineal gland.
• Between the eyebrows: Use your fingertips to stimulate energy for the pituitary gland and the liver.
• The temples or the side of the eyes: Massage this area using your soft fists to move Qi to the eyes.
• Below the eyes on the cheekbones: Gently tap this area to provide energy for the kidney.
• Between the nose and upper lip: Use the fingertips to tap this section to activate Qi for the heart.
• Between the lower lip and chin: Tap this area to harness Qi for the colon and stomach.
• The sternum: Do soft tapping in the sternum for thymus benefits.
• Both sides of the neck: Tap the sides of the neck to allow Qi to flow to the thyroid.

Arm Meridian Points

With either the fingertips, cupped palms, or soft fists, tap these arm meridian points to let Qi flow in various body organs.

• Between the thumb and the first finger on the backside: Use your fingertips to apply pressure, sending qi to the large intestine.
• Above the wrist on the inner arm: Use soft wrists to tap this portion. This affects the lungs to help treat headaches, facial paralysis, neck stiffness, and asthma.
• The inner arm: Use cupped palms to tap this section, affecting the pericardium for treating cardiac disorders, nausea, and vomiting.
• The side of the hand below the little finger: This affects the small intestine to alleviate symptoms of neck pain, seizures, stiffness, fever, and mental disorders.

Leg Meridian Points

Sit or prop the heel up to prevent too much blood and Qi from going to the head. Start with finger tapping, then move to soft fists or cupped palms to awaken energy from the leg meridian lines.

• Front of the leg below the knees: Apply pressure below the knees to help treat digestive disorders, immune deficiency, and fatigue.
• The inner side of the leg right above the ankle: Do soft tapping to awaken dormant energy for the spleen.
• The top of the foot between the first and second toe: Use the fingertips or the whole hand in tapping this part to balance emotional energy and alleviate headaches.

This video has some tapping exercises you can do

How to Do Body Shaking

Once you have activated the body energy through the meridian lines, you should then circulate this energy through the body using a body shaking technique.

You would experience a buzzing sensation moving all around the body, which means you're in the state of energy flowing. After warming up and activating Qi, entering a state of flow requires being mindful by regulating breathing. Remember to relax your body through the entire body shaking process.

Conclusion

Qigong tapping is a simple exercise process with multiple health and spiritual benefits. Anybody can practice it as the tapping requires minimal effort. Qigong tapping is practiced to activate dormant energy and improve the body's overall health.