Natural flow Qigong is also known as Spontaneous Qigong or Zi Fa Gong (自发功) which literally means “self-emitting energy work”. Attributed to prehistoric times in China, Mongolia and Southern Siberia it is said to have grown out of Shamanic healing dances, however it is also found in other cultures and traditions under different names. The Sufi practice of Latihan (spontaneous dynamic meditation), Yogic practice of some Kriyas (spontaneous movements caused by the awakening of kundalini), Japanese martial dance of Akuma-Barai “the spirit purification” are only some of those examples.

Natural flow Qigong can be defined as a dynamic meditation, a kind of a naturally unfolding healing dance allowing a practitioner to develop an intimate connection to the Qi, the energy-matter continuum that forms, permeates and connects all things in the Universe. The unity with this energy while following the universal order (Dao) that guides it in a harmonious way, is seen in Chinese philosophy as key to health and longevity.

What’s in the name?

Qigong as a discipline is only known under this name since early 1950s, when one famous Chinese doctor coined this term to describe a variety of energy-related practices that existed in China over thousands of years. For example, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (circa 250BC), the foundational text of Chinese medicine refers to Qigong as Dao-Yin:

In the past, people practiced the Dao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of balance, of Yin and Yang, as represented by the transformation of Qi in the Universe. Thus, they formulated practices such as Dao-Yin, an excercise combining stretching, massaging and breathing to promote the Qi flow, and meditation to help maintain and harmonise themselves with the Universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of any kind. They maintained well-being of body and mind; thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.

However, when all these practices came to the West under the umbrella term of Qigong, they were often associated with different routines of exercises that were promoted by the teachers who developed them. The examples include Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocade of Silk) Qigong, Fine Animals Qigong, White Crane Qigong … and many others. Many of them follow generic patterns established by the Chinese medical theory, however there are also more martial forms of Qigong used within martial arts schools.

Qigong forms vs. Natural Flow

It is difficult however to create a predefined set of exercises for all varieties of people, their needs and health conditions. While the popular forms of medical Qigong promote natural flow of Qi in accordance with Chinese medical theory, they need to be tailored to the needs of a particular person to have a profound effect. Ideally, you need a highly qualified teacher to recommend you a set of exercises and keep changing them while observing you on a regular basis. Essentially, you need to trust this teacher unconditionally, entrust yourself to him or her, which is often mentally difficult for a modern Western person.

Natural Flow Qigong offers another way. The exercises of Natural Flow Qigong are not predefined but emit directly from the the needs of your body and mind, when you understand how to follow the flow of your own pattern of movement while being aligned to the natural flows above and below.

For a Buddhist, the essence of Natural Flow practice may be seen as a perfect example of Wu Wei or non-doing, the concept found in Buddhist philosophy. “Non-doing” in natural flow Qigong does not mean that you do not perform any actions during your training but rather all your actions emit spontaneously following the natural course: the mechanics of the Universe is reflected in your body, and there is no interference caused by your casual mind.

In Dao De Jing it is said that the “Dao is formless” and yet “it produces ten thousand things”. Likewise, when a practitioner is able to accept and submit to the natural way, ten thousand movements may be born from this state.

The alignment at large

The Chinese sages believed that the Universe has its order and every creature from the tiniest insect to an enormous star have a unique place in its immense carpet. As humans, they said, we are entrusted with “Integral Qi” which means that we can create our own way of living. However, this new way often leads to disease and suffering, simply because we cannot “create” and act in harmony with the rest of the natural world.

However, by listening to the nature and following the “natural flow” you become aware first of the way your body is meant to work and move, and then your heart-mind, and finally - your whole being, and the role you are supposed to play in relation to the world. So, instead of learning another set of execrises, like dance moves, it is practically a very welcome return to your own inner nature in all aspects. From that inner awareness of “your own” - your health and happiness emerge naturally and spontaneously, and the style of life created as a result of that constant following - provides you the fulfillment and joy you are longing for.

The training

“Blood follows the Qi, Qi follows the Intent” - that is the key principle of Chinese Medicine. Thus, the practice of Natural flow Qigong begins with the intent to accept and be guided by the energy of the Universe. The trick here is to disregard urges of your habitually busy mind - to leave all your learnt patterns of motion behind and follow the natural way your body desires to move right at the moment. Our body holds thousands years old silent knowledge of how to restore its balance, and by letting go of the acquired patterns this knowledge is surfaced into being.

This kind of state of acceptance is not so easy to achieve in the beginning. The presence of a teacher who has been immersed in this state for some time already is the very key that makes it happen to you initially. With ongoing training however, your personal connection to the natural flow is established and there will be no need for the teacher to be there anymore, although his or her presence may still help. From then on you would be able to practice all by yourself strengthening the link to the universal flow of things.

At first your movements might seem a bit clumsy, however this is what happens when the Qi is not able to pass through its channels easily. The movements created by the Qi therefore will come exactly in a way to help the Qi pass and restore the balance in the areas of stagnation. One of my teachers used to say: “awareness will spontaneously arise in the form of sensation”. As it continues on and on, more channels will be unblocked, the body re-vitalized, and the pain and numbness in the tissues, joints and bones will silently leave you. Your movements from certain point will become smooth and graceful, more like a Tai-Chi water-like flow, when the body is in balance at every turn.

Following the training

Although you may feel a bit tired at the end, the state of freedom, lightness and clarity always engulfing you after the training is not something that passes unnoticed. Very often you may need some food and sleep after the training, as the energy structure undergoes the restoration process. After that you feel a surge of energy and can do so many things you were putting up for a better time. One student said: “my whole week went nice and smoothly after the class, and even my boss who is usually so aggressive was happy with me and easy to deal with!”

Addressing you body, heart and mind (in this order)

As your body becomes more aligned with the natural flows of Qi, it becomes harder for sickness and disease to take root in you. Very quickly you will be able to forget about your “external” musculoskeletal issues such as sore back, neck or painful joints, and then the internal organs' healing follows, which may take a bit longer.

Next, the stream of pure Qi will refresh and reorganize your emotional sphere. Practicing Qigong you will become aware of the largely “mechanistic” emotional reactions inherited through the family or learnt off your friends and teenage authorities in your formative years. Consequently, the effect of negative emotions such as anger or jealousy will gradually diminish in your life.

After that, there is a time for your mental sphere to be purified. You may experience an unusual peace of mind, feeling “like a child”, and many events of your past will cease to be a burden recapitulated, re-lived in the state of tranquility and clarity created by Qigong practice. People around you will definitely feel it, and even those who are otherwise aggressive and demanding may become nice and easy with you.

These three stages do not necessarily come sequentially. Rather, the layers of your problems or unhappiness will be revealed to you just as the layers of onion become visible when you peel them away one after another. During your Qigong practice you may see your whole life passing by and you will understand quite clearly why were you given this or that experience and make that peace with yourself.

Qigong as a Healing modality

Eventually you become clear enough to conduct the Natural Flow to help others, projecting out the Qi that you constantly draw from the Nature. It is possible to help all living creatures with Qigong and also promote a happy resolution of some difficult life situations.

There is a certain threshold in the Natural Flow Qigong training when you become sensitive of the acupuncture points, energy centers and fields, and the knowledge what to do with them to correct the imbalance will also arise spontaneously.

Truly, the way of Natural Flow Qigong is the way of constant learning, a door into the wonderful world of the healing powers of Nature that eventually lets you help yourself and others in a most natural and supportive way.