Question from a Student
“I have a miserable cold. Is it wise to do qigong during this time and if so, which forms might be better?”
My Answer
First of all, I’m sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. Get well soon!
With Flowing Zen Qigong, it’s not only okay to practice while sick — it’s recommended!
If you know it, and if you have the strength, then do the 5-Phase Routine.
Stick to simple exercises like Lifting The Sky, Swimming Dragon, or Pushing Mountains. Avoid advanced exercises like the Small Universe, zhan zhuang, One Finger Zen, Sinew Metamorphosis, and Bone Marrow Cleansing.
But don’t force it! If you don’t have the energy for the 5-Phase Routine, then do the 2-Minute Drill instead. Just get up from your bed or from the couch and do 2 minutes. Simple.
The goal with the 2-Minute Drill is to engage the Wei Qi, which is the energy that powers your immune response and your lymphatic system.
Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow
Different qigong schools have different approaches to this. Some schools recommend that you do not practice qigong while sick, especially with a high fever.
Obviously, I disagree with this approach. But why the disagreement?
The difference can be boiled down to one thing: Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow.
Most schools do not teach this skill. It’s not their fault. It was kept secret for centuries.
I happened to win the qigong lottery by learning this technique, and I don’t hold it against other teachers who haven’t.
But Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow makes all the difference and allows us to do things that schools without it simply can’t do.
Let it Flow
With Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow (FBSW), we stimulate the qi so that it flows freely in the body.
Then — and here’s the important part — we ALLOW it to flow. In other words, we allow the body’s own wisdom to do the healing.
If you’re sick and you go to an acupuncture physician, then she’ll have to do a diagnostic to determine exactly what is wrong with you. Once she knows what’s wrong, she can choose a treatment plan.
For example, colds and flus are common categorized in Chinese Medicine as either Wind Heat or Wind Cold.
But which one is it?
If you’re treating yourself with some types of qigong, then you need to know the answer, which means that you need a diagnostic.
But with FBSW, we don’t need to know. This is because we don’t direct the qi to any particular organ or meridian or system. Instead, we just get the qi flowing, and then let it flow.
But what about the 2-Minute Drill? In that routine, we don’t do FBSW. Is it still safe?
Yes, it’s safe because the dosage is so small. It’s true that the exercise that you choose, like Lifting The Sky or Pushing Mountains, will direct the qi to certain meridians. But because the session is so short, the qi doesn’t really get directed very much. The overall effect is simply a small boost to the ENTIRE system.
Feedback from Students
Why do I give this advice about practicing qigong while sick?
In a word: evidence.
When I make a decision to implement a teaching or a methodology in my school of qigong, it’s based on evidence.
I’m not just talking about scientific research. Sure, that’s important too. (Click here for a free infographic on the 13 proven benefits of qigong and tai chi.)
But I’m also talking about actual, real-world feedback from students.
For example, many of us have followed the advice above, and we’ve found that it works. Practicing a little qigong while sick typically kicks it out faster than usual.
Over the years I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of feedback from my students. This feedback matters! It means that my teaching is alive, and it’s based on direct experience.
Here are what some Flowing Zen Qigong students recently had to say on the subject in a discussion in our free Facebook group.
“In my personal experience; actually practicing Qi Gong has helped me to “get the flu out of my body” faster. Gentle movements; kind exercises and a big smile from the heart. If you are feeling a little ill now; I hope you feel better soon!” – Dani from Venezuela
“I usually do exercises to keep the qi flowing, but listen to my body and don’t overdo.” – Chuck from the US
“I like to do only my most favorite Qi Gong exercise for a couple of minutes when I am ill. And after that my preferred therapy is: SLEEP!” – Angelika from Germany
“Feedback about Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow: After practising 5-phase routine I feel amazing, I feel almost cured of a strong flu.” – Sanja from Croatia
“I continued Qigong while I had a cold/fever. And I believe that helped me recover faster. Thanks Sifu for the advice.” – George from the US
“When I have been sick, Qigong is a lot harder, but I still do it, and I’ve felt a lot better because of it. Also: I’ve had magic results with Shooting Bow and Arrow helping breathing related symptoms.” – Charles from the US
Other Tips
Don’t forget to sleep. Most people simply don’t rest enough when they’re sick. If you do your 5-Phase Routine or the 2-Minute Drill and you feel tired afterward, then go take a nap! Let the qi continue working while you sleep.
Also, stay inside if it’s cold. It’s nice to practice qigong outside, but if you’re sick and if it’s cold out, then don’t push your luck.
The Bottom Line
If you’re sick and you know Flowing Zen Qigong, then I recommend that you do the 5-Phase Routine or the 2-Minute Drill.
If you’re sick and you don’t know Flowing Zen Qigong, then go learn some! But realistically speaking, any form of medical qigong will still work fine while you’re sick.
Tell me about your experiences. Have you had any success with using Flowing Zen Qigong while sick? If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! From the heart, Sifu Anthony
Sifu Anthony,
I recently experienced a broken molar, followed by a bad tooth infection, and finally had my molar removed. Meanwhile, I continued to practice qigong from beginning to end. Here’s the most interesting part. I had the broken molar for over a year and my qigong helped me tremendously with the ongoing pain, even the pain radiating to my ear. It was a true lifesaver. Then, when the tooth became infected, my qigong made my pain worse. My tooth became super sensitive, and I started feeling pain on teeth that were on the opposite jaw. Matter of fact, I would feel ok, then I would try smiling from the heart and my pain would multiply x10 (pain scale of 1-10, I was at a 12). Finally, last week, I had the tooth removed and practiced my qigong a day later. And since then, I feel amazing, youthful, and quite happy. I’m still healing, but I feel really good now. To say the least, it was an interesting journey. However, do you have any idea why qigong would multiply my pain from the infection? Thank you in advance.
Jody from San Antonio, TX
Yikes. Sorry to hear about the tooth. That sounds painful!
Were you practicing Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow?
No, I wasn’t. I was unable to relax, and I was fearful of the pain spikes that I was experiencing.
So you do know Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow (FBSW) then?
If the pain spiked when you smiled from the heart, it means that there was massive stagnation. In Chinese Medicine, there’s a saying: “Where there is pain, there is stagnation.”
My best guess is that the qi started to flow to the stagnation, but was unable to break through. So it was sort of “pushing” on the blockage.
FBSW is the solution to that problem.
I know FBSW as “simply letting go”. Sometimes, I feel some emotions (it can feel like a sense of beauty and sometimes it’s emotional joy). My energy, however, doesn’t sway me. It feels more like a sparkle or a waterfall of energy inside me, if you will. If I allow it to flow freely for several minutes, I can smell of electricity on my clothes. Not quite sure what that means. I’ve never been fortunate to learn from a Master.
Hi Jody. It sounds like you need instruction in Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow. It’s more than “simply letting go”. It doesn’t sounds like you’ve unlocked the technique yet.
I teach this skill online now. You can learn it in this course: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/battling-depression-anxiety-with-qigong-tai-chi
Hi everyone! I do not know if what I practice is qigong or just physic exercise (I took Sifu’s online course and practice for 5 months almost everyday 30minutes, maybe only 6 days lost) and the facts are this : i have my nose clear from morning till evening and some good attitude about life, despite hard and long work. And I enyoyed my exercises. Still feel nothing on Fbsw but i have patience. And, by the way, all my family had flu (my wife, kids and my parents) and I escaped. Just saying. I don’t believe in miracles but is something with this qigong – maybe the respiration, maybe the relaxation… I’m wait for a revelation. Thank you Anthony for your course!
44 years old, Cristian from Romania
Hi Cristian. I’m glad to hear that you’re getting such good results! If you’re still not sure about FBSW, then go back and review Module 2 of the Qigong 101. It will make a lot more sense now!
Thanks so much for the post.Really thank you! Great.
Dear sfui anthony,
i justorderd your online course, & am very excited to learn some new forms. but ineed some help, i definatley have another episode of kundalini syndrome triggered by leaving my job. there is no doubt as i had several experiences with this. i spent 16 years with a guru nd didnt find any relief. is threr anyway i can do i skype session as i read how you helped someone. i was taught deep earth pulsing & micro cosmic orbit by one of mantak chia’s students(now master) as this is suppoose to help. but i beleive a life chabging triggered this latest episode.
thanks norm
Hi Norman. I’m excited to work with you in the 201! Remember that you’re going to learn much more than just forms. You’re going to learn important skills in this program as well.
I suggest that you set aside deep earth pulsing and the microcosmic orbit for now. Focus entirely on the 5-Phase Routine, which you’re already learning in the 201. That is the solution to your Kundalini issues.
I don’t do private sessions at the moment but feel free to attend our first live webinar. We can chat there!