Qigong Move of the Month: Scoop the Moon from the Sea
Shawn Cartwright, January 2009
Scoop the Moon from the Sea is an excellent Qigong movement from the Wudang Tai Yi Five Element form. This form, once only taught to Taoist adepts, strengthens the body and balances the major internal organ energies in the body.
Scoop the Moon from the Sea is beneficial for the lower back, heart, and kidneys.
1) Stand in a horse stance with feet two shoulder widths apart. Arms hang loosely by the sides.
2) Move the arms up and out in a vertical circle until they are directly overhead.
3) Bend forward at the waist. The legs remain straight. At the same time, Circle the arms out and down as if scooping up the moon from the bottom of the sea.
4) Bend the knees and sit into a horse stance. At the same time, let the body rise up straight. The arms rise out in front, still holding the moon. Imagine holding 10,000 pounds.
5) Continue the movement by standing up higher. At the same time, lift the moon over the head.
6) Continue the movement by bending backward and letting the arms fall to the sides and down as if releasing the moon to the heavens.
7) Return to the posture as in movement 1.