When we were infants we learned by observing. We learned to move by watching the simple movements of those around us, studying, trying, trying, ah– success. Through this process we patterned after someone and learned how to use certain muscles to achieve the desired movement. The muscles we used for movement became stronger and our abilities improved.
The muscles we trained ourselves to use are what I call “Big” muscles; they are the ones that do most of the work as we use our bodies. For most of us this is about 20-30% of the muscles in the body. We have “Helper” muscles which assist the “Big” muscles and we have a lot of muscles that simply are there and don’t do much except take up space.
As an infant, all of the muscles work together as intended. As we grow and continue to pattern after others, we allow the ‘Big’ muscles to take over more than their fair share of the work. The smallest ‘helper’ muscles become weaker with less demand on them. The ‘Big’ muscles are overused and the smallest are underused putting stress on the bigger muscles resulting in strained muscles, sore backs, etc.
Our use of the “Big” muscles may not be what some of these were designed for, however we made it work, and this is why we all have different postures, gaits, etc.
When you have a routine Qi Gong 18 Style practice, you begin to shift some of the effort from the “Big” muscles to the support muscles, the ones intended to be part of the action. This shift helps you to move easier, quicker, and with greater agility. Qi Gong 18 Style moves every muscle each time you practice. You awaken muscles that have not been active and help them to become viable, flexible, healthy, and strong. Some of theses muscles have not moved for years and tend to adhere to other tissues surrounding them. The ritual practice will release the adhesions which also adds strength and flexibility to your body. A bonus benefit to the work is our general health improves as our skeletal structure is affected by the awakening and strengthening of semi dormant muscles. We begin to bring our skeleton into alignment which then allows our organs and glands to be in the correct positions allowing them to function better, thus improving our general health.
Simple movements, Huge Results, Greater Health, Greater Strength yours for an investment of only 20 minutes a day.
