The Crane Exercise - a gentle exercise anyone can use.

This is a very simple method to help weight loss.  This method also promotes proper digestion and helps eliminate toxins from the body.  Often when a person is overweight their internal life force energy is sluggish and out of balance.  Energy exercises, including the Crane exercise described here, can revitalize the life force energy and therefore bring the body back into balance, which is a great help in losing weight and feeling better.  

This weight loss method does not come from Western medicine but from medical Chi Kung (Qigong).  The ancient Taoists who developed medical Chi Kung were meticulous and patient observers and experimenters.  If something worked well, they used it; if not, they discarded it.

This simple method to support weight loss is one from a series of ancient self-healing Chi Kung exercises.  Chi Kung exercises often are deceptively simple and yet effective.  Some Chi Kung movements are based on the characteristic movements of animals, and each exercise is named after the animal from which it is taken.

Chi Kung exercises are designed to energise the entire body, balance the energy levels, and promote a more effective functioning of the internal organs.  The Crane exercise was developed by early Chinese doctors to strengthen and energise the abdominal muscles, internal organs and circulatory system.  It is a fact that energy of Chi (Qi) circulates both in and around your body.  Chi Kung exercises are intended to manipulate or move this energy for the benefit of your health.

When a person becomes overweight, the whole body is burdened.  For every inch you gain in girth, the body grows approximately four miles of blood vessels to nourish the extra tissue!  Blood, which would normally be sent to the head and brain, remains in the abdominal cavity, aiding the digestive organs with their increased workload.  The heart must work harder due to the increase of fatty tissue, causing undue strain.  Extra weight brings on mental as well as physical fatigue and the extra weight puts stress on the skeleton and joints causing pain.

This simple exercise is a natural way to assist weight loss.  First lie flat on your back and relax, then place the palm of your hand on your navel and rub/massage as described here.

If you are right-handed, use your right hand; if left-handed, use your left hand.  Begin to rub in a clockwise spiral from the centre of the navel outwards, first in a small circle and then gradually expanding the movement until the upper and lower limits of the stomach and abdomen are being rubbed.  When you have completed the first movement, reverse it, rubbing anti-clockwise in smaller and smaller circles until you are back to the centre of the navel.  You need not press down with any force.  Rub slowly and smoothly with gentle pressure.  Repeat this clockwise and anti-clockwise motion as long as you feel comfortable, or have time to do so.  Two to three minutes at a time is ideal.

Try to visualise the energy in your abdominal area following the movement of your hand as you massage both physically and with the use of your own energy.  When you rub in a clockwise direction (which is from your right to left), you are encouraging proper bowel movement.  This clockwise motion stimulates the peristaltic activity of the intestines.  Rubbing anti-clockwise has the opposite effect, slowing the activity of the bowel for those who suffer from diarrhoea.  You can concentrate more in one direction than the other, according to your prevailing bowel habits.

The second, and equally important facet of the Crane exercise, involves the use of your imagination.  As we know, visualisation can be powerful instrument in achieving your goals, as well as in healing.  As you rub, concentrate on a feeling of warmth within the area being massaged.  When you feel the warmth visualise excess fat being burned off.  Try to imagine the cells of fat actually melting away.  The important point is to rub gently and concentrate on your hand moving smoothly over the whole area.  Try to feel the warmth and energy. Energy can be felt as a warmth or tingling sensation.  The movement of your hand is a method of passing the vital energy from the palm of your hand into your abdomen.

Try to perform this exercise twice a day, while lying on your back.  The best times to do it are first thing in the morning when you wake, and then again just before you go to sleep. You needn’t feel you must do it for more than two minutes at a time for it to be effective. Performing the exercise for any length of time is better than not doing it at all.  But do give it time to produce results for you, try to perform the exercise with real attention and concentration/visualisation for at least two weeks, twice a day, and then you can begin to see results.

We suggest that you start your weight loss programme with a gentle cleanse and detox and then eat a balanced diet, gradually increase exercise and use the crane exercise each day.  Maintain a positive frame of mind and get counselling help and support if you need it to deal with life problems and issues that have been holding you back.

This exercise is not suitable if you are pregnant.