How to Use QI to Open a Bottle of Wine

Did you ever have trouble opening a bottle of wine? Doesn’t matter what kind of opener you’re using, some corks just don’t want to budge. What’s a person to do? I wondered if I could use my qigong to do this. Well I could and I did.

One usually thinks of qigong as a series of forms or exercises. We think of it as a way to improve health, lower blood pressure, but opening a bottle of wine? Yes, the skills you learn in a qigong class can be used in your day-to-day living. Broadly put qigong is the skill of moving qi or energy with intention. My intention: open a bottle of wine. With this in mind I began the process by noticing my feet and their connection with the ground, I imagined the qi coming up from the earth, through my feet, up my legs and about the time I got to my knees the cork flew out of the bottle. I was stunned, because I hadn’t really done anything.

But obviously I did do something, but what? We have already mentioned intention, which is in qigong parlance: Yi. It is a necessary part of one’s qigong practice. At the beginning of my weekly qigong class each student states his or her intention, aloud or silently. These are simple statements of purpose, one person may want to work on a back or knee issue. Someone else may want the ability to stay focused, centered or grounded. Your intention need not be this specific; one can have a general focus on improved health and well-being. Or maybe your intention can be as mundane as remembering the next sequence of a form, or opening a bottle of wine. It’s all good and all part of a qigong practice.

Did you notice how fast the qi moved? Much more quickly than my thoughts. My mind was only at my knees when the cork came out to the bottle. Imagine how much qi I had actually moved up to my hands by the time I noticed it at my knees. It’s pretty awesome when you think about it. The force of the cork coming out of the wine bottle was unexpected and surprising.

I have used this technique to open stubborn jars and those little tubes of watercolor paint that are notoriously difficult to open. So, in addition to the overall health benefits of qigong there are practical applications. Your qigong practice can affect all aspects of your life.

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. If you have trouble opening up your champagne at midnight this year, consider studying qigong as a New Year Resolution.

Noticing, The Essence of the Trager Approach

Last night my husband and I went to an amazing jazz performance by singer, songwriter, and upright bass player Esperanza Spalding. She sang, she danced, she played an instrument that towered over her slight frame. She seemed to be doing it so effortlessly, so naturally. How was this possible? It boggled the mind watching her do all these seemingly disparate things without getting confused. I still have trouble patting my head and rubbing my tummy. How did she keep it all together and separate?
Mark summed it up, “it’s all one thing for her, she was the music.” Being one with her environment is in Trager parlance: “hook up.” Several times during the concert, especially when performing without her back-up band this state of hook up included the audience, and we the changed from mere onlookers and became part of the performance. This is the magic that happens at concerts, the boundaries between audience and performer are softened. The feeling is expansive, effortless and wondrous. This is hook up, the essence of the Trager Approach.
There are other terms for hook-up, (and other meanings for hook-up, but let’s not go there.) Being in the zone or a state of focused attention is another way to explain this state of being one with our environment. In qigong we call this principle “wu –wei” or the art of using the least amount of energy to do something. You can think of it as getting out of your own way. Both modalities do this by acknowledging that we are part of a system larger than oneself. Once we know how to access this state, things get easier. In qigong we use the qi (chi) that is naturally all around us. With Trager we notice where we are now, and then we ask questions. “What can be easier?” “What can be softer?” “What can be better?” “What could be____________?” Get quiet, listen/notice, you will get an answer.
So the next time you feel stressed, or uneasy, uncomfortable, take a moment to ask yourself, what could be better. Listen closely for the answer and make whatever little change you can. Each increment is a step towards a more peaceful life. I will end with the words of Milton Trager, MD, “World peace, one body at a time.”

Qigong Classes

Beginning Qigong
Wild Goose & Wuji Gong

Monday 1:00-2:00p.m.

$20/Class

Cultural Integration Center

2650 Fulton St @3rd Ave

San Francisco, CA 94118

MUNI: 5 Fulton

Wild Goose Qigong
Tuesday 12:00-1:00 p.m.
$2.00 donation
San Francisco City Hall
South Light Court

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What I offer at Fogdragon Studio:
Trager Sessions
Introduction to Trager Workshops
-CEU Provider
Qigong Classes
-Public
-Private

Ever wonder how you could blend ancient studies with modern science and move more easily, more gracefully? Do you have old aches and pains that you would like to say "Good-bye" to? That's what can happen at Fogdragon Studio a place for Movement Education and Body Awareness. Using the Trager Approach and Qigong we will explore how you move and how you can move more easily. You can learn how the past is affecting how you move today. Do you have old injuries, or chronic pain? Do you hold stress in your body? Maybe you want to manage high blood pressure, or find ways to improve your health. If you want to learn the skills to relieve pain be it emotional or physical, chronic or acute this is the place to go.

I am a Certified Trager Practitioner and Qigong Teacher. Qigong was first practiced in China 1000’s of years ago. It is often called “moving meditation: or “poor man’s acupuncture.”

The Trager Approach was a lifelong exploration of movement by Dr. Milton Trager, MD. He found that by asking questions, like “What could be easier?” “What could be softer?” coupled with movement and reflection, one could learn how to move with less effort, less pain.

What is the Trager Approach?

The Trager Approach is a system of movement education. By lifting, compressing, weighing, twisting and moving muscles and joints within your comfort range, you are learning, through your proprioception system how to move your body in a more natural, comfortable range. The movements either done by the practitioner or self directed help your brain learn easier ways of moving. Repeated pain, even unconscious leads to more pain, so in your Trager session you will be exposed to pleasurable movement and then asked to recall this feeling. By learning what feels good, you will have a choice and will be able to chose pleasure and not unconsciously choose pain.

What is the Proprioceptor System?

Simply, it is the ability to sense where our body is in space, specifically our limbs. Proprioceptors supply information to our central nervous system (CNS) via the brain stem. This sense is continuous, unconscious and is involved in every move we make. It can be automatic or trained. We reflexively withdraw from a hot stove. Training this sense, as in learning a sport or musical instrument can be purposeful. In addition, our proprioceptors may unconsciously learn patterns of dysfunctional response after injury, poor ergonomics or overuse

What to expect from a Trager Session?

The first thing we will do is discuss what you want from your session. From there we will explore and play with everyday movements, looking for unconscious holding patterns. Then you will lie on a massage table. As you lie there you will have your body moved in ways that allow you to feel your body’s weight and rhythm. I will steadily & rhythmically rock, cradle, jiggle, vibrate and stretch your body, looking for your harmonic resonance. At times these movements will be subtle. Or the movements can be quite fast. No matter what the rhythm, being ‘tragered’ will feel good. You will be asked to notice what you feel. And taking those memories and some self-care movements home with you can keep your session going, for as long as you let it.

What is Qigong?

This practice is done for health, and is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Learn what qi (chi) is and the skill to move it through your body. According the TCM all disease and pain results from qi that is stuck in the body.

What to expect from a Qigong Class?

Class is typically divided into 3 parts, opening and warm-ups, including self-massage. Then we will work on a longer form called “Wuji Gong.” We will close with a guided meditation. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your sense of humor. Most qigong practitioners say that they are, “playing qigong.” You should feel refreshed and calm after class.