Awakening the dragon in this context refer to awakening the spine.
Awakening the spine physicly and energeticly is part of the nei gong process. Spine is also called the Heavenly Pillar. And as the name suggest it has higher stages of awakening and further work beside physical opening.
Our work starts with the physical spine, the space between the vertebraes, and surrounding connective tissues, flesh. Opening each joint in the body as well as targeted work with spinal spaces, processes. Transforming the spine into a well aligned, strong pillar that is also flexible and overall healthy. It is the base that further work must be built on.
Transforming the connective tissues surrounding the spine, ribcage and sternum, shoulder and neck is essential and can take couple of years. One’s body mus tbecome ready for real Qi gong work and deeper aspects of it can only unfold when foundations are ready. There is a certain quality and openness of the whle body that must be reached for optimal effeciency. Enhanced Qi flow produced by body opening and release of tension and blockages are part of this process.
Energetically, or on the Qi level several channels mus tbe opened, and tha tmay be a lengthy process as well. Strongly related energetic centers and vessels may need to be opened on their own accord by the methodical preparation of practise, to ensure safe unfolding of transformation. One fo the main vessels to open is Du Mai, or the Governor channel. The opening of this channel will be followed a broadening of the physical body as other channels connected to Du Mai will further open.
The Lower Dan Tian has a major role in this process as well, thus the physical preparation and the energetic aspect of the nei gong practise happen paralell to each other. It is common with them that Qi is needed to the process, as change can only happen via Qi. Finding the lower dan tian and getting the physical body ready is strongly interlinked process. Without open joints, streched open soft / connective tissues truly finding and integrating lower dan tian is difficult.
Amongst the four Dragon Dao Yin excercises there is one called: the Swimming Dragon. Beside its strong affect on spine and several other joints and connective tissues, it also affects the lower dan tian. The strong built the lower dan tian the more effective the dragon dao yins are. Besides these major functions, with specific instruction one can understand how to prepair the body and the energetics to release / purge the system, and get rid of blockages and pathogens.
As we can see on the photo there are a lot fo tiny physical parts of the body that can be streched elongeted, separated and integrated. Many joints where if we open effectively more space can be created for Qi. On top of these we have energetic tasks to follow and listen to.
Well, these are the intense topics of the upcoming Vienna | Dragon Dao Yins this weekend. Transformative nei gong practises ahead.
