Health meditation: Mindfully building strong bones

In the spirit of being strong boned,

Toby

Health meditation: Mindfully building strong bones

In Qi gong philosophy it is asserted that the real or deep strength of our body comes not from the size of our muscles, but from the health and strength of our bones, particularly in the energy, or qi that we build and store in our bone marrow. The meditation that I describe below is one that can be done for short periods, or longer, and that is designed to direct regenerative energy to our bones and bone marrow. It might be said to belong to the set of Qi gong meditations that are called ‘smiling to the internal organs’, except this meditation is focused on the bones rather than an organ group.
The bones also sit in the structural center of many parts of our body, so by focusing on the bones, you are really allowing your awareness to penetrate into the core of your physical being, and by doing so the energy of your life-force will follow.

Position 1 – Relaxation and posture: Sit or stand in an upright position, crown high, chest open, shoulders relaxed down and back off the neck. Take a few slightly deeper breaths, breathing in noticing any tension in the upper part of the body, breathing out inviting that tension to flow down into your lower belly area. Over a few breaths feel your center of gravity settling at the belly level of the torso, and your upper body becoming pleasantly relaxed.

Position 2 – Smiling & breathing from the belly: With a gentle, warm half smile on your face, breathe in and out of the belly. Imagine a warm smiling energy building gently in the belly, and then positively radiating out from the belly into the rest of the body.

Position 3 – Being present to the bones: With this warm qi or energy now in your body, focus on the bones. Scan thru your body building awareness of the basic bone structures, feeling their solidity and stability. Start to extend your warm smiling energy to them as you breathe.

Position 4 – Energizing the bones, building marrow strength: Either focusing on your bone structure as a whole, or on a particular set of bones (Eg: Thighs and knees), imagine them to be strong and healthy, with the marrow in the center of them glowing with health and vitality. If you like, as you breathe in, see qi and energy in the form of light flowing into the bone marrow, as you breathe out feel them warm, strong and glowing.
If you like you can add in a mental affirmation such as ‘My bones are strong, healthy and full of life-force’. For some people this type of affirmation really enhances the practice, for others not, so just try it and see what works for you.

Example: Injury recovery
The above meditation is one that I integrate regularly into my own Qi gong meditation practice and do in my Qi gong classes, but it is also one I have been using specifically for a knee sprain and ankle twist that I sustained in a squash game. Essentially I have been applying the above technique to my knees and ankles for the last month or so for about 5mins each day, and then organically thru-out the day. In this case it is specifically the knee joints and ligaments/meniscus that I include as well as the bone structure:

• I relax the knees and ankles
• I visualize the knee and ankle joints filling with warm Qi/healing energy, glowing with light and health
• I affirm in two ways: ‘My knees and ankles are strong and healthy’ and ‘My knees and ankles heal quickly and easily’.
• I enjoy!

So, this type of mindfulness work doesn’t replace rest, mobility rehab and strengthening work, but in my experience, it plays a significant pat in the healing process. It also makes me feel me feel that I have a living and enjoyable relationship with my biological being and a direct role in the creation of my own health and wellbeing!

PS: Its can also be powerful to combine bone meditation with simple Qi gong standing postures

© Toby Ouvry 2022, you are welcome to use or share this article, but please cite Toby as the source and include reference to his website www.tobyouvry.com

Tues & Weds 20th/21st  September – Autumn equinox balancing & renewing meditation

The Autumn Equinox in the northern hemisphere marks the mid-point between the warmer, lighter seasons of the year and the cooler, darker ones. The forces of day and night, light and dark are of equal strength. As such it is a great time to emphasize balance and harmony, both in our life and meditation practice…read full details

Saturday September 24th, 9.30-11.30am – Monthly Qi Gong & Taoist Breathwork Clinic & Mini-retreat

In a sentence: Experience unique Qi gong and Taoist breathing techniques to improve your immune system, energy level, psychological wellness and enhance your meditation…read full details

Sat & Sun 22nd/23rd October – Shamanic meditation workshop retreatLearn how to practice the fundamentals of the most ancient meditation tradition on the planet in a clear, practical and concise manner, and understand its relevance and value to you and the challenges that you face in your life.

The workshop will give an overview and introduce some simple but profound shamanic practices on day one, with a deeper dive into Shamanic meditation practices on day two…read full details