Monday, September 22, 2008

Standing Meditation

Last year, I participated in a Tai Chi seminar with Chen Xiao Wang, one of China's Great Masters and a direct descendant of the legendary creator of Tai Chi, General Chen Wangting.

In this seminar, I really got that standing meditation with the correct posture is a profound and meaningful exercise that leaves you feeling energized, clear, quiet, focused, peaceful and balanced.

Practicing standing meditation for fifteen minutes or more a day will contribute to your well being and your ability to create and fulfill daily intentions with ease. You will experience deep levels of relaxation, chi (energy, life force) flow, and release of stress.

Standing meditation is simple, inexpensive to learn and very powerful. I learned this technique seven years ago from my friend and Tai Chi Coach Paul Viera. Below is a description on how to do standing meditation.

Standing Meditation Technique

Stand up in a relaxed manner.
Separate feet shoulder width, a comfortable distance.
Point both feet straight ahead and flat on the floor.
Feel stable, centered, rooted to the earth.
Relax your body (open, relaxed, calm).
Clear your mind. Notice and let thoughts flow like clouds.
Keep a gentle smile. Keep your head up and look forward.
Start with your eyes open, with a soft and wide angle focus.
Then close your eyes.
Breathe in and out in a relaxed, easy, and regular manner.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Keep your lips slightly parted.
Let your arms hang down in a relaxed manner at your sides.
Let the palms of your hands face your thighs, touching lightly.
Relax your shoulders and let them hang down.
Let your tongue lightly touch the roof of your mouth.
After you are relaxed, raise and extend your arms as if you are hugging a tree.
Now, scan your mind and body, notice any resistance that shows up (thoughts, pain, energy, tightness, worries, judgments, anger, etc.).
Just be aware and let go. Your attention should be 50% on your body and 50% in silence.

To learn proper standing meditation, hire a coach or participate in one of the Being Champion Workshop for Individuals.


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