Qigong for the eyes
This qigong exercise – Black Dragon Displays Claws – is from the Yi Jin Jing tendon strengthening set where it is one part of a balanced system.
You will find different versions of all the classic qigong sets. But rather than thinking of them as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, consider what the different variations offer you. Which ones do you think follow the principles and make sense for your body?
The ‘black dragon’ here can tell us this exercise is to do with the kidneys and the water phase – you can feel how it mobilises the spine. The twisting and flexing massages the liver as well as the kidneys – both important for eye health. Connecting the front mu of the spleen – LIV 13 zhang men – it also stimulates the sinews and tendons.
The movements work and train the eyes themselves to flex and relax, as well as stretching the gall bladder, bladder, san jiao, small intestine, liver and kidney channels.
Enjoy!
Duncan McGechie has been in practice with Chinese medicine (CM) acupuncture since 2003, and MSc Chinese herbal medicine since 2009. He regularly integrates CM treatments with myofascial and neuromuscular techniques including qigong as rehabilitation to treat complex patients.
