Barefoot Medicine

In the days before the widespread availability of health care, local herbalists, shamans and healers all practiced what is known as barefoot medicine. This is basically the use of what is available around you to cure ailments of all kinds. Herbology was always a major part of this practice. In those days, especially throughout Asia, many healers also prescribed various forms of energy exercises known as qigong.
In modern times, there are now literally thousands of different qigong practices each with their own specific purpose. Some traditional Chinese doctors prescribe them for their patients, while others do it for health maintenance, martial arts or specific ailments.
In this column I want to introduce a bit about qigong practices and a very simple exercise for health maintenance. In today’s world it’s crucial we learn to take better care of ourselves and take responsibility for our own health. The practice of qigong benefits us in the understanding of our own bodies and how to take care of our mental, spiritual, physical and emotional selves.
Qigong, literally translated as “energy-work”, is a type of exercise designed to allow our bodies energy to flow more smoothly and evenly. It is the blockage, stagnation or over abundance of energy in our internal organs that create disease. A smooth strong current of energy flowing helps to balance and even out our health. One of the most basic theories of qigong healing is that of yin and yang, known as the modern symbol. [ This symbol embodies the idea of two equal and opposing forces twining together in harmony to create a balance and basic theory for healing. This goes along the lines of, if it is hot, cool it; if it is wet, dry it; if it is deficient, tonify it. Bringing balance to all things, body and mind will help you function in a normal and healthy way. I will expand more about the yin and yang theory at another time. It is enough to understand that the purpose of qigong practice is to balance the body to create health.
Now we will look at a simple qigong exercise. As we head into fall and the summer heat begins to wane, it is important to make sure our bodies remain balanced while the seasonal changes take place. I will take an exercise from the famous “eight brocade silk qigong” practice that has been used for health maintenance for over 2000 years. Millions of people each day practice this set of exercises and this has been proven to accomplish many things in the body.
The exercise I will describe is specifically designed to help the lung and respiratory system rebalance itself and is helpful for all kinds of afflictions. Please keep in mind that we do have access to hospitals and highly trained doctors and qigong practice should never replace the help of a professional, but merely supplement it.
Stand with your feet together and your inner legs gently touching. Straighten your back as best you can into the posture “stand tall like the monkey” and breathe. Spend a moment relaxing and feeling your body settle into place. A number of our health problems are caused by stress and a tight and rigid body is a prime symptom and sign of stress. You should take the time to settle your weight from the top of your head down to the bottoms of your feet and relax all the muscles not necessary for the action of standing still. This is economy of motion, done in stillness. Many of our movements are not done in the most economical way and thus cause extra stress on our body and our minds.
When performing qigong movements you should be in a state of deep relaxation and only using the musculature of the body necessary for the exercise. Breathe deeply into your abdomen and bring your palms up your chest until they stretch out over your head. Your fingers should be gently linked together and the spine elongated in a gentle way. As you bring your hands down on the sides of your body, gently exhale and bring them to rest in the same position as that which you started. Repeat this simple exercise eight times each morning and you will feel how much it helps open the lungs and invigorates your chest throughout the day. Do not just try to do this exercise just simply do it
As a great master once said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” 9
Sifu Neil Ripski runs Red Jade Martial Arts in Creston and teaches Kung Fu, Qigong and Tai Chi. He is running a barefoot medicine course for health maintenance at the College of the Rockies this fall. For more information call: 250-428-7237

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