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<strong>and</strong> life-force awakening that he did. Nothing shows you the path <strong>to</strong> yourself or your place in nature<br />
<strong>and</strong> the universe as well as qigong does. It is one of the most potent outlets <strong>and</strong> vehicles for catharsis<br />
you likely have ever experienced. A treasure trove of riches, this is the practice that started it all for<br />
me, <strong>and</strong> the one that inspired the name of this book.<br />
With the Awaken <strong>and</strong> Play practice, you’ll greet yourself <strong>and</strong> say, “Hello, body!” In the process,<br />
you’ll cultivate an entirely new love for yourself as well as a newfound respect <strong>and</strong> appreciation for<br />
energy in the world around you. Awaken <strong>and</strong> Play takes you back <strong>to</strong> your innocent beginnings of<br />
boundless energy <strong>and</strong> unfettered joy. Let it be a return <strong>to</strong> the source wisdom you came in<strong>to</strong> the world<br />
with as a child.<br />
With Awaken <strong>and</strong> Play, the <strong>Waking</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> Way comes <strong>to</strong> life. It begins here. In this sacred flow,<br />
qigong represents the energy of morning. The sun is now rising over the dew-covered fields of your<br />
internal l<strong>and</strong>scape, <strong>and</strong> you’re about <strong>to</strong> learn how <strong>to</strong> capture <strong>and</strong> cultivate this precious nectar. Birds<br />
are singing for you as you embark on a journey filled at every turn with surprises. It is just as the<br />
ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu said: “A journey of a thous<strong>and</strong> miles begins with one step.” <strong>Your</strong> first<br />
step will be <strong>to</strong> align your being with your breath. With the breath, a veritable river of energy will start<br />
<strong>to</strong> move inside you—<strong>and</strong> in this chapter you’ll learn how <strong>to</strong> consciously direct this flow.<br />
<strong>Your</strong> body is a miracle, a gift, a wonderl<strong>and</strong>, a sacred temple. It is your soul’s temporal<br />
playground, a cosmos in miniature. <strong>Your</strong> body is a powerful vehicle for healing <strong>and</strong> empowerment<br />
that already naturally possesses the intuitive knowledge of what <strong>to</strong> do <strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>re your innocence <strong>and</strong><br />
zest for life, once it is presented with the right <strong>to</strong>ols.<br />
Welcome <strong>to</strong> Wonderl<strong>and</strong>!<br />
the awaken <strong>and</strong> play practice<br />
TIME OF DAY: Morning or evening<br />
QUALITY: Yin <strong>and</strong> yang<br />
SUBTLE ENERGY: Opens, stimulates, <strong>and</strong> harmonizes meridians <strong>and</strong> related organ systems.<br />
BENEFITS: Activates life-force centers, optimizes all physical systems, creates smooth skin, improves endocrine <strong>and</strong> metabolic health, <strong>and</strong><br />
strengthens the body overall.<br />
The Practice<br />
Opening the Gates<br />
St<strong>and</strong>ing Meditation<br />
Opening the <strong>Energy</strong> Gates<br />
Meeting the Chi<br />
Collecting the Chi<br />
Swimming in the Sea of Chi<br />
Love Thyself<br />
Shake It Up <strong>to</strong> Wake It Up<br />
Ringing the Temple Gong<br />
Upper Torso Rounds<br />
Hip Circles<br />
Celestial Shampoo
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