Marriage of Heaven and Earth Chi Gung (Qi gong) helps heal back and spine problems and is especially effective for mitigating repetitive stress injury and carpal tunnel. Pulsing joints (openings and closings) without muscular tension and more complex longevity breathing techniques—Nei gung (neijiaquan) techniques—are taught.

Popular and easy to learn

This two-movement exercise is easy to learn for people of any age or body type and is the most popular program I teach in the core chi gung practices—the people’s choice. Although primarily done standing, it can be practiced while sitting and doing repetitive work, such as computer keyboarding.

Yin and Yang

The name, "Marriage of Heaven and Earth," comes from its ability to combine the female qualities of yin, associated with earth, and the masculine qualities of yang, associated with heaven. The whole universe (heaven and earth) is pulsating with chi or energy and so is the human body.

Pulsing: the rhythm of the universe

Practitioners of both Western and Eastern traditions agree that the spine, joints, organs, blood and indeed all the internal systems of the body pulsate —open and close—in a natural rhythm. When the body is healthy this pulsing is even and strong. When the body becomes ill this pulsing deteriorates and our bodies and well-being are compromised.

Openings and Closings

The simple movements of Heaven and Earth are containers for the chi work that happens internally. You will learn the procedures for opening and closing of the joints (pulsing) without using muscular tension. Opening and closing is the core energetic process of Heaven and Earth and an important components of the nei gung.

Benefits of pulsing

Pulsing is good for your health and relaxation. It enables you to:

• Develop better chi circulation
• Improve the circulation of fluids in your joints
• Smooth and release physical, mental and emotional blockages in your body
• Deeply relax and reduce the effects of stress and tension inside your body
• Have more awareness of your energy

Moving chi

Marriage of Heaven and Earth chi gung teaches you how to efficiently move chi through the acupuncture meridian lines, joints, muscles and fascia of the body and to coordinate the ascending and descending flows of chi. The ability of the body to pulse and have elasticity and spring is a fundamental component of nei gung energetic practices.

Advanced energetics

Advanced levels teach you to energetically open and close the soft and hard tissues of the body and cavities and then to progress to opening and closing areas of your subtle energy anatomy (channels, points or Aura). These internal components can be incorporated into other energetic practices and are an essential foundation for advanced Taoist practices. Opening and closing is crucial to generating chi in Tai Chi chuan.

To learn more please look at the Marriage of Heaven and Earth DVD or Video .