Happy New Moon – February 1, 2022
Qigong and Gardening seems like a perfect topic for this first new moon post in my lunar blog schedule. – That’s because new moon is a time of hidden energies. And also a time to explore new concepts to see what might be revealed.
Qigong is a mind-body practice. It enhances health and well-being through focused breath, movement, massage, and meditation. I’ve received training through the IIQTC which has some great programs for making qigong accessible. Because I see the world through the garden, the connection between gardening and qigong seems obvious to me.
Here are five points of Connection (I’m sure there are more)
Flowing Energy
Gardening and qigong are all about flowing energy. Good gardeners pay attention to the flow of elemental energies – rain, sun, wind, and nutrients in soil. We work to adapt and balance those energies as best we can. In qigong we pay attention to both internal and external energies. Blocks in energy can cause stagnation and disease. And these blocks can happen on many levels – physical – emotional – spiritual. Intentionally connecting with and guiding the energy in and around our bodies enhances vitality and wellness.
Breath is Integral to Both
Breath is vital to life. The green world provides the ability for us to breathe and qigong provides the knowledge to do it well. In the garden, our breathing inimitably connects us to the green world. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. 
Humans reverse that process, creating a symbiotic balance with the green world. Qigong movements and meditations focus on the breath and provide the training and tools to engage with the breath in a powerful and healing way.
Accessible and Deeply Healing
Gardening and qigong are both deeply healing. And while you can say that about many other practices, what stands out about qigong and gardening is that they are easily accessible. The green world is everywhere for us to appreciate. And gardening on window sills or patios makes it attainable even for those with limited space. For qigong, no special equipment is needed. We can touch qigong with the simplest of movements making it very accessible. Qigong and gardening can both be adapted for people with mobility challenges making them available to all. (See the information below to learn more about qigong.)
Simplicity is All That’s Needed
Neither practice has to be complicated. Engaging with the simplest of qigong forms with intentionality and focus can result in profound healing. Similarly, when we strive for garden simplicity – one raised bed or pots on a window sill – the plants will gift us with immeasurable 
beauty and nutrition. Certainly there are more complicated ways to approach both gardening and qigong, but the simplest of gardens or qigong forms will provide rewards.
Reminders of Connectedness
If we are paying attention, the garden clearly shows us the interconnectedness of the world. We see the interplay of elements on plants and how plants influence each other. Of course, it goes deeper than that because we as humans are connected as well through breath and all the elements.
Like gardening, qigong reminds us of this connectedness. As we practice, we engage with the energies around us. They influence us and we influence them. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to practice qigong in a group setting you may have experienced this connectedness and energy flowing within the group. And often, our energies combined are more than the sum of our individual parts.
We connect through a flow of energy. So basically this last point of connectedness returns us in full circle to the first point on my list – flowing energy.
Flowing Energy as Mindful Focus
Flowing energy is the mindfulness focal point for new moon. Here are some ideas for working with this concept:
Hold the concept of flowing energy in your awareness each morning. Ask yourself where (if anywhere) you notice or experience it? Give yourself space to allow answers to emerge. Next tune into places where energy feels blocked. Remember this concept applies to your body – home – family – garden – community – world.
If you are aware of blocked energy ask yourself how you can help dissolve the blocks? Usually, it will be easier to disolve blocks in and around our body and home than in the world at large. However, because we are interconnected, we do have influence on the larger community. When we take time for contemplation, we might see clearly how we can be a part of disolving the energetic blocks in the world.
On this last point, it is important to know that our individual energies combine to be more than the sum of our parts. We can contribute some of the good flowing energy that the world needs.
Looking to Expand your Knowledge of Qigong?
Check out these products from Roger Jahnke and the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC) where I have studied:
- Healer Within Medical Qigong Video Program with videso, e-books, and printable guides
- Breath Medicine video workshop
- The Healing Power of Qi (book)
- The Healer Within (book)
If you live in the Denver area, I lead qigong and mindfulness walks at Bluff Lake Nature Center from April until October on the last Sunday of each month.
Looking for Gardening Ideas? Start Here
My blog post on Grazing Gardens
