Yijin Jing Qigong Experiences
This article is about my personal experiences when I first started practicing Yijin Jing Qigong.
I think the best way to encourage an open minded conversation or to motivate people to dive deeper into their own practice is sharing some personal insights. That being said, I also believe that every individual should verify information within their own bodies. I hope that this post will motivate you. It will show you that everyone has to start small. But the moment you stood up to begin your practice, you have already surpassed those who have not yet started. Don’t procrastinate and take your health and well-being into your own hands!
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits and instructions of the Yijin Jing, I suggest you read this series of posts. Here I cover the most important facts of Yijin Jing Qigong.
What does Yijin Jing mean?
The concept of Qi and Chinese Qigong can be quite mysterious sometimes. In the beginning it seems like a fictional subject, the stuff Japanese anime is made of. But the more you decode it, practice it, learn about it and make your own experiences, the clearer it gets. It does actually make a whole lot of sense and everyone can grasp it. I want to give you some insight about my own experiences today, especially of the Yijin Jing practice. “Yi “ means change or transformation and “jin” means as much as muscles & tendons. However, this includes all of the soft tissues like ligaments & fascia. Together the word “Yijin” applies the total transformation of the body and mind. When you develop this practice to a high level, the Yijin Jing can transform even the smallest framed individual into a healthy and strong person capable of incredible feats of strength and willpower.
For me this practice has been absolutely amazing so far but I definitely had a slow start! Before I will rave about it I will tell you about my first attempts of the Muscle and Tendon Changing Qigong. When I started the first set of 100 days, I was doing it in quite a "half-ass" way. (Excuse my language) I kept getting very frustrated because you have to hold your limbs out in different positions for a longer period of time. Why the heck? I got tired quickly (as impatient as I was) and my “calm mind” not like slow-flowing water in a creek, but more like a storm in the ocean. You can see that this recipe is likely not going to be very successful. However, I had built up some stamina to hold these positions and developed a better sense of my inner energy. I missed many days though and wasn’t fully concentrated. I figured that I could gain quicker progress doing some standard muscle-up training in the gym. I forgot an important thing though. - It wasn’t about the muscles, and the Yijin Jing is not like your typical workout. First of all, you are breathing in a long and relaxed manner, using the breath to refine your Qi. Then, unlike the exercises done at the gym which focus on developing muscles or cardio, the Yijin Jing focuses on infusing soft tissue, including the ligaments, tendons, fascia, and even the bone marrow with that refined Qi.
In order to do this you need to succeed in one thing. - Relaxation!
It didn’t take long to get back the motivation, to prepare properly, to improve my meditation practice (including standing Qigong, Zhan Zhuang) and to start with the next set of 100 days! I’ve never learned about my body and energy more than in these 100 days and understood why the Yijin Jing starts out as a relaxation practice...
I told you about my difficulties starting the practice, but howabout nowadays?
Well, I have finished the 3rd set of 100 days (and by the time you read this probably more). I have just recently discovered some major results/changes of the training. Sometimes you are not aware of the change until you put your body into positions or situations that challenge you. I realized that I am able to do many different exercises with ease. I felt so light and limber and I had never even trained for flexibility specifically. Simply by learning how to relax the hips properly and moving from the kua, a lot of my chronic tension has dissolved. The movements in taiji are getting softer and more powerful and sometimes I feel like an elastic band. Releasing all the large muscles down (and being “song”) is a key in Taiji practice and due to Yijin Jing Qigong I even finally got in touch with my “jing” (internal force utilized in Yang Taijiquan). There is a definite increase of energy and I feel that my body and mind run a lot more efficient and coordinated. In addition to that I can’t even remember the last time I was sick. (Not counting in one particular unforgettable food poisoning occasion...)
There is no finish line or ultimate goal.
I believe that we never stop learning. Qigong is a practice for a lifetime, especially considering the internal development and self-cultivation. In fact, there is not such a thing as a “finish line” or a final goal to achieve. The practice is to further ones skill in many aspects e.g. health or martial arts, sensitivity to Qi, for self-cultivation and awareness, as well as harmony with what is and what will be. Throughout that journey we will observe the transformation and welcome the beneficial change in our body, mind and spirit. We are in charge of how much we master ourselves!
The Daojia Yijin Jing is particularly good for beginners because you’re basically starting out by setting the correct foundation for any type of Qigong. - Relaxation and the awareness of Qi. Only if you are able to fully relax in each position you will gain the benefits of this practice. When your are deeply relaxed into your body your Qi channels will be open and you can lead the Qi efficiently. Through maintaining and creating a specific environment in the body you will allow the Qi to transform the tissues. They will get a tendon-like quality. The Yijin Jing enhances and maintains your health but also builds up your martial power. It depends on your intention and focus of attention. Through practice, you will cultivate a calm and peaceful mind. Your breathing will be harmonious with your internal and external movements well balanced.
A lot of the things I am describing are happening naturally within. All it takes is a relaxed mind and body and a regulated breath in combination with a structured Qigong method. You need to approach the training in a holistic way, practicing the Yin side and the Yang side (Neigong and physical postures and movements) simultaneously. Don't get discouraged if the beginning is a little slow, once you grasp the technique it's really quite “simple”.
When I first started practicing the Yijin Jing I didn’t know how exactly it would “serve” me. I didn’t know much about it yet. I only knew that the true strength of the body was expressed through the tendons and not the muscles. I knew the difference this fact made from a martial arts point of view. I wasn’t aware yet that this practice will improve more then just my tendons and my martial arts. I believe that the peaceful mind and strong will which you will cultivate by practicing the YJJ carries over into your daily life and helps you out in many different situations. I think it’s fantastic to see how your health or martial arts practice can influence many aspects of your life. You’ve probably heard about the power of the mind. But have you ever associated this with yourself? This applies to you just as it does to everyone else. This is YOUR power of the mind... But let me keep to the point…
The transformative benefits of the YJJ go even deeper than the physical body. Not just the whole body constitution changes, but also your internal organs and your emotional mind. All your internal functions will be optimized and your body will run a lot more efficiently.
I constantly check in with myself and observe the change and sensations. How do my experiences compare to the theory? What did I feel? How do I feel? How did I feel before and after practice; or when I have missed a day of training compared to a smooth and concentrated day of practice, etc.
Sit back, observe and let your experiences sink in.
After practicing the Yijin Jing I sit quietly and relaxed. I let the experience sink in to ponder upon it. I hold this type of Qigong very dear and look forward to explore the Yijin Jing even more. I think you should give it a shot. Ain’t got nothing to loose. Anyhow, I think it’s time to conclude this post for now. If you want more informations you can click on the links in the beginning. I wrote an entire series for you.
Best,
Marco