The #1 health problem in America is stress. We’re talking about millions of people dying every year because of a national failure to manage stress.
Luckily, there’s a simple and effective solution.
The 2-Minute Drill is a great way to de-stress yourself.
Even if you haven’t yet taken any of my courses, you can still do the 2-Minute Drill. And you can do it virtually anywhere, without any drugs or special equipment. Here’s how.
- Find a place where you can be undisturbed for 2 minutes.
- Perform Lifting The Sky 10-15 times, focusing on enjoying your breathing.
- Walk around briskly when you’re finished.
Let’s say you’re in the middle of a stressful day (in the middle of a stressful week). Even if you’ve learned the 5-Phase Routine, there’s no time for it. You need something NOW!
That’s where the 2-Minute Drill shines. Here’s a great goal for you: Do the 2-Minute Drill every day for 30 days. Once you make it a habit, once you learn to use this amazing tool, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.
For those who know the 5-Phase Routine, you’re going to skip most of it. No opening, no closing, no energy flow. Just do Lifting The Sky. That’s it.
For those who don’t yet know the 5-Phase Routine the 2-Minute Drill is a great place to start. It’s not nearly as powerful, but it’s something, and it works wonders on stress.
There’s just one rule: Don’t do the 2-Minute Drill in a bathroom. I know that it’s convenient to sneak into the bathroom, but the energy in there isn’t good (big surprise). Go outside, or find a quiet corner, but skip the bathroom please.
Click here to learn more about an entire online course called 2 Minute Qigong.
Drop me a comment below if you have questions. Best regards, Sifu Anthony 
I’m Anthony Korahais, and I used qigong to heal from clinical depression, low back pain, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. I’ve already taught thousands of people from all over the world how to use qigong for their own stubborn health challenges. As the director of Flowing Zen and a board member for the National Qigong Association, I'm fully committed to helping people with these arts. In addition to my blog, I also teach online courses and offer in-person retreats and workshops.
Thanks for this inspiring article Sihing Anthony.
I read this article in the old web some time ago and it proved to be really useful to me. I wake up at 6:30 in the morning so it is quite difficult (most of the times) to dedicate 15 minutes to practice.
This inspiring technique makes me start the day in a different mood and moves my energy so I arrive work with a positive energy. Don’t underestimate this practice as it is really powerful even when short.
Brilliant post. 🙂
Sifu, thanks for the email with info to help me to stay Zen during the holidays. I’m going to pass it on to some of my family! Hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving.
This was excellent advice and works extremely well. 🙂
Hi Anthony Siheng,
Can you do this routine in the afternoon (11 am to 15 pm) or after you’ve made love to your beloved one? Also can I reduce the amount of repetitions of LTS? Thank you for your answers!
Kan
Yes, you can do it any time. And you can do fewer repetitions if you like. Try it out and see how you feel!
Dear Anthony siheng,
I find myself swaying everytime after I’ve done this drill. Should I gently think of my dantian or just walk straight away? Because I kind of feel little odd when I just walk straight away.
Try doing fewer reps of Lifting The Sky. But thinking of Dantian is also fine. Either way, you should feel good at the end, not “odd”.
Thank you for your reply!
Yes, I was walking straight away when my chi flow was still active, which most probably caused the uncomfortableness. I just think of my Dantian everytime when I finish the drill.
If I practice in the morning and afternoon 15 minutes can I do it many times during the day (I work with the computer and need a good excercise to make a brake), is there some limit? On the course I was Sifu Wong said that it was better to underpractice than to overpractice. Won’t I overpractice accidentally?
Thank you
Hi Marek. Yes, you can add the 2-Minute drill to your day. The limit is this: how do you feel? If you feel good doing 2x 15-Minute sessions plus 3x 2-Minute drills, then enjoy it!
If you start to overdo it, then you’ll get signs. Read this article for more on the dangers of over-practicing:
http://flowingzen.com/3883/7-reasons-to-avoid-over-practicing/
Dear Sifu Anthony,
I decided to practice Lifting the Sky 1 month ago and this is an awesome thing for me. I practiced in the evening, at 22:30 o’clock. I have sufferred an anxiety 6 months ago. I like running and then I overtrained with my sessions of running training like 10 km running each 2 days. Also, I’ve gone to psychoterapy and my psychoterapist encourages me to practice an exercise of meditation and I said him thats I discovered QiGong which brings me a lot of benefits. And thanks to you, I can said that!
Sifu Anthony,
I’ve been practicing the exercises you’ve tough us in Costa Rica retreat, almost for a month now, and feel amazing at all levels. I have to agree that “Lifting the Sky” is a true jewel!!
Thank you for passing on your knowledge to all of us. Love being part of the qigong family!
Fernanda
You’re welcome, Fernanda! It was a pleasure teaching you. I look forward to seeing you again soon!
Good Evening from Sweden !
I have a question, please.
Can I do Lifting the Sky seated ? Can I have some good results when seated ?My problem is Osteoporosis with two fractures in my vertebrae. I cannot stand straight as i have my back rounded forward.
Thank you very much.
Best regards
Jan, Malmoe, Sweden
The time here right now is 22.00
Hi Jan. Yes, of course you can practice it sitting down! Do the best you can with what you’ve got.
Hi Sifu,
Thank you for the info on the 2 minutes drill. Is self massage alone considered a qi gong practice?
I teach a basic qi gong class but I am having a difficult time to get people in their 30’s and 40’s more interested.
Can you make any suggestions. Thanks!
Hi Marie.
There are forms of qigong self-massage, but really, that crosses into what is known as tui na, or Chinese massage therapy.
Most qigong forms do not involve self massage.
Teaching qigong is hard because it is unknown. The way to raise interest is to educate.
Hi i have a question. The first time i practiced lifting the sky i got all its benefits, (less stress,anxiety,better mood, felt amazing and more. However the next day i didnt do it and i went back to how i felt before(anxious again). So the next day i practiced it again and i felt a small benefit, then the next day and again a small benefit. Not even close to the first time i did it, and im still doing it the same way. |Let me know why this is the case? maybe its because i need to let me energy rst or something before doing the exercise again? like rereving up an engine.let me know, thank you.
> Don’t do the 2-Minute Drill in a bathroom…..
This is quite a pertinent point. For many people, the challenge is finding a place where they can do this or any other Qigong when they’re not at home or in a secluded place.
Being able to do some of this in your workplace is a great help. However there are challenges with people seeing it and asking questions later on etc. I guess doing this with your eyes closed at least reduces the “self-consciousness” side of things, but it’s still a factor.
If Sifu Anthony or anyone else has any tips on this you’ve found useful, that would be appreciated. At least until the time when we’ve persuaded our workmates to join us in the 2 minute drill 🙂