In the middle of the night, when my mind thinks it’s dawn, I count my breaths, tongue to the roof of my mouth. Once in the rhythm, I rub a spot just below my navel until it is warm. The cage opened, a tingling host of healers is released to roll their circuit, nibbling away at walls of tension.
One night last week they reached my right shoulder blade, dispersing to surround, infuse, and soothe inflamed tendons and nerves. Two nights ago my seized up toes suddenly loosened in relief.
give, take, sacred space
lost in numbers, thoughts retreat
body’s workshop elves
My haibun is about qigong practices.
Frank is today’s host of dVerse’ Haibun Monday. Frank says:
Write a haibun that alludes to breath, breathing, or to breathe.
Tao Talk 
A most interesting Haibun. Lisa. I told Ruth about your way of releasing tension. Glad you find some relief from it.
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Dwight, thanks. The way it shows in the pictures is one sitting, but I adapt it to lying down and it works.
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That is good to know!
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Hands-on Qigong! Now that is self-healing at its finest. Vivid imaegry helped this one come alive. Brava, Lisa!
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Frank, thank you. Yes it is :)
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You’ve caught my attention with this!
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YAY! :)
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I’ll have to try that on my foot cramps. I know breathing works for back tension. (K)
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I am happy you will give it a try.
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This looks interesting. You know…my mom was a very traditional person but…she took me to doctors also who would push pressure points on my feet and face. They could make my sinuses go away with one touch. So this looks really good. I wish I would have asked her…what made her do that? She also took me to a chiropractor in grade school.
She also took me to regular doctors also…so she covered everything.
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Max you are lucky your mom was open-minded when it came to health care. I think human touch can be healing in and of itself. I think we literally need each other to stay healthy.
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It did help me accept other ideas. What confuses me personally is how she got like that? I love it…but it wasn’t like her. She always made sure I was alright. It was very alternative for the 1970s.
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That’s a good question then, Max. Your sister may know why. Maybe ask her?
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Yea I have…she doesn’t know… I may ask mom’s sister that is still alive.
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I’d never heard of this practice, Lisa, sounds sensational for healing relaxation. Beautifully described in your haibun!
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Dora, I do a less than formal practice of it, and I imagine if I got with the fine points of it it would work even better. Thank you :)
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My pleasure. Go for it, Lisa! I don’t know why I save such practices (like breathing/mindfulness) up for when I’m pushed to the limit with pain when it could possibly relieve it before it got bad.
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While Chinese medicine follows very different concepts than western medicine, it can definitely make a difference. I know my dad has seen a physical therapist who has studied some Chinese medicine and applied some of his knowledge. It has to do with exerting pressure on certain parts of the body. Apparently, it can be painful in the moment but does create relief thereafter.
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My understanding of one difference between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine is that Chinese medicine is preventive and proactive, and Western tries to alleviate symptoms once you have a disease/condition. I’ve read where Chinese practitioners are considered incompetent if they let the patient get sick. I love that philosophy.
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I’ve learnt something new from your haibun, Lisa. I do special breathing too, but not like this. It is something I would like to try. I love the idea of a ‘body’s workshop elves’.
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Kim, I hope you try it. You will feel a bundle of tingling energy traveling through your body and from what I can tell you have some control on where it goes but not complete control. I didn’t send it to my toes but it sure was a relief when it went there. Also, according to the book I have, keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth keeps the circuit complete.
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I must try this technique. Thanks Li
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Sadje, I hope you do. Let me know how it works for you. You’re welcome.
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Thanks. 🙏🏼
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Our own ‘powers’ to relax are greater than many realize. Your ability to ‘get in tune’ is inspiring. Thank-you. <3
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Susan, thanks. I often think we’ve been conditioned to believe we are powerless under the overlords and must seek assistance. I think much/most of the power we need is within ourselves.
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So true! 🥰
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Lisa, this is such a masterful use of imagery and metaphor! And I love how the haiku captures the subtle magic within the body’s workshop…
Much love,
David
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Thank much, David :)
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So good to be able to find release in such a good way… a good way to find it.
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that is so interesting Lisa! :-) Great poem!
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Carol Anne, thank you :)
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This is wonderful, Lisa. I must learn this!
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Give it a try, Dale, and let me know what happens.
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I truly should. I’ll have to look into the how to.
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My friend swears by Qigong and I have tried some techniques. One in particular was so good in relaxing me when I couldn’t sleep. I like this one as I have some nerve pain issues and this may help better than the prescription I got today. Very instructive haibun and thank you!
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Di, it’s definitely worth a try for relaxation and nerve pain.
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“body’s workshop elves”….love that! A very interesting technique to soothe what’s ailing.
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Thanks, Mish. Always carry plenty of tools in the tool belt I say.
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At first, the colours in the header image had me thinking of abstract artist Hilma af Klint . Now all I see is London’s Tube Map? 🤓
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LOL The mind has a unique way of looking at thing doesn’t it.
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It truly does. 😁
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I like how you tell it in such a way that it carries the sense of healing for the reader, Qigong, a great breathing way – also like your adaptation.
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Paul thanks, I’m guessing you’ve done some aspect of energy work.
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I have indeed Lisa, ain’t it grand :)
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:)
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Have heard mixed information about Qigong. Happy to know it’s helping you.
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Thanks, it does!
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