If you’ve learned directly from me or my sifu, then you’ve learned the Qigong technique called Lifting The Sky. And if you’ve learned it from us, then you also know how awesome it is. It is quite possibly the best Qigong exercise ever.
Don’t mistake Lifting The Sky for a beginner’s technique. Yes, it’s great for beginners, but it’s also great for masters. To give you some perspective, I still practice this exercise regularly, and so does my teacher. Don’t underestimate the power of Lifting The Sky.
The following review is meant for those who have learned directly from me. However, those who have learned it from books will also find the review useful.
Remember, Lifting The Sky is only one fifth of your standard Qigong routine. Read my article The 15-Minute Routine if you need review.
Lifting The Sky – Posture 1
- Your feet are close together.
- Your mouth is gently open.
- Your toes are pointing forward.
- Your hands are relaxed by your sides.
- Your posture is upright but relaxed.
- Your chest is soft and open.
- Your nose is pointing forward.
Lifting The Sky – Posture 2
- Your palms face down toward the ground.
- Your fingers point toward each other.
- Your fingers have some space between them.
- Your arms are as straight as comfortably possible.
- Your neck tilts down, as if looking at the hands.
- Your body remains upright.
- Your shoulders remain relaxed.
- Your jaw is still relaxed.
Lifting The Sky – Posture 3
- Your arms arc up smoothly to the top.
- Your nose follows the movement of the hands.
- Your head ends tilting back comfortably.
- At the top, you lift up gently from your heels to your hands.
- Your arms remain comfortably straight.
- Breathe in gently through the nose as you arc upward.
Lifting The Sky – Posture 4
- Your arms drop smoothly down, like a bird slowly flapping its wings.
- Your wrists are no longer bent.
- Breathe out gently through the mouth as your arms are dropping.
- The neck gradually returns to normal with the nose pointing forward.
- Finish in Posture 1.
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I don’t know if others appreciate this, but this and your 15-minute routine are invaluable “secrets” that you are sharing and we’re all blessed to have the access you are providing to help us in our own wellness journeys.
Thanks, John!
My question is about “Lifting The Sky”…
I want to embark upon a thirty day commitment, as you’ve suggested, but have a technical question: I was taught to draw my hands (palms facing up) up the front of my body ..with elbows out to each side, and little fingers nearly touching the torso, rather than arcing the hands up with fully extended arms.
The palm turn occurs at the forehead, as in Master Wong’s version, but I was taught a definite “push” at the fully extended point…What do you think? Am I eliminating or reducing the benefits by doing it this way?
Thank you so much for your informative articles and advice.
Lowell Hein
Jensen Beach, FL.
Hi Lowell,
Lifting The Sky is one of the oldest and most widely practiced Qigong exercises out there. So it’s no surprise that there are many different versions of Lifting the Sky.
I have practiced many different versions over the years. Obviously, I believe that our version is the best, which is why I practice it and teach it. But other versions are also good.
If you enjoy the way you were taught, then do that. If you enjoy the way it is described in this article, then do it that. In other words, choose the version that you enjoy best.
Warmly,
Sifu Anthony
Sifu,
Could you touch a little bit on what the purpose of the exercise actually is, and how the benefits are derived?
I understand it’s to “regulate the triple burner”, but that’s Cantonese to me. : )
Thank you, sir.
Lowell
Lifting The Sky is one of the most holistic of all Qigong exercises. The “Triple Burner”, or “San Jiao”, is a complex (and invisible) system in Chinese medical theory. The simple answer is that Lifting The Sky regulates the flow of Qi through the upper, middle, and lower body.
The purpose of Lifting The Sky is to get the energy flowing. Similarly, the benefits are derived from letting the energy flow. My students will know exactly what I’m talking about, but those who have not learned “Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow” from me or my teacher will be a bit confused. This is why it’s so important to learn from a living teacher.
After you finish practicing Lifting The Sky, what do you do, Lowell?
Hi Sifu,
I follow with “Draw The Bow and Release Arrow”, “Separating Heaven And Earth”, “Wise Owl Gazes Backward”, “Punch with Fiery Eyes”,”Big Bear Twists From Side to Side, then ” Hold Feet”, I finish with a few minutes of “holding the urn”, or embrace tree” then seal the dan tien for a minute or two.
Regards,
Lowell
HI Lowell,
That’s a fairly standard approach, but our approach is different. The various exercises, like Lifting The Sky or Separating Heaven and Earth (which we call Plucking Stars) get the energy flowing in different ways. But getting the energy flowing is only the first step. Once the energy is flowing, you have to let it flow!
This is the secret that most Qigong students miss. Because the secret was so well kept, your approach has actually become the norm, especially in China. Although the results can be good, your results would improve dramatically if you learned how to let the energy flow.
I teach the secret of energy flow, Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow, in my beginner classes. Unfortunately, the secret can only be learned face-to-face
Until then, I recommend that you take 1 or 2 minutes towards the end of your session (before you seal dantian) to enjoy the flowing stillness. That’s the best that you can do for now, and your results should still be good.
All the best,
Sifu Anthony
Sifu,
I appreciate your input…and will incorporate (my interpretation of) your suggestion into my 8 Pieces of Brocade practice. Perhaps one day our paths will cross in person. I look forward to it.
Thanks again,
Lowell Hein
Jensen Beach FL