Dear Qi family,
The holidays can bring joy, but they also suck up a tremendous amount of Qi – mentally, emotionally and physically. After the excitement wears off, the body is often left exhausted, with very little energy to rebuild on its own.
In addition, the cold in winter places even greater demands on the body. Master Lu teaches that cold is a serious pathogen that drains energy from the body and causes stagnation. When you are young, extra reserves ensure that you recover quickly. But as we get older, a large part of that reserve has already been used up. Therefore, it takes longer to recover.
So give the body a break and let it rest deeply. Here’s how:
Holiday relaxation program
(Doesn’t that sound great?) Start when you’re ready, before or after the holidays. No stress! Choose what works best for you.
Commitment to yourself:
- Determine how long you can commit to this program. (Ideally 7-10 days)
- Make time every day to disconnect and be peaceful.
- Read a book, watch a movie or just do nothing.
- Reduce the use of computers and cell phones.
- Get your phone from the bedroom.
- Dress warmly and take a warm bath.
- Use a heating pad on your lower back to support Kidney Qi.
- Warm the bottom of your feet. (Cinnamon oil, Ginger oil)
Daily practices:
- Morning: Start with the Four Energy Gates to build a deeper relationship with your body.
- Movement: Excercise The dragon floats on the sea for at least 30 minutes, one to two times a day. The posture is shown in the image at the front of this blog and will be assessed on Qi Thursday.
- Evening: Practice before bed Mind Gate Breathing to calm the mind and support restorative sleep. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Concentrate your breath on your navel. Breathe in gently and deeply, drawing in from your navel. Then breathe out slowly, from your navel. Repeat this, holding each inhale and exhale for a count of five. (Join our free workshop, December 15.)
Eating plan:
- Keep it light. Give the body less to digest and allow the body to accumulate more Qi.
- Enjoy vegetables (steamed, roasted, fried), light soups and warming tea.
- Search our recipe database for delicious recipes and teas.
- Add mung bean or radish soup for gentle support.
- Add warming spices such as pepper, ginger and cinnamon.
- Make warming tea with warming herbs, such as ginger with chamomile or herbal tea.
- Avoid meat, bread, cheese and alcohol.
- Limit yourself to one cup of coffee.
Share this 7-10 day holiday relaxation program with friends and family! Healing begins with a single intention.
Coming soon!
Mind Gate Breathing
This workshop is our holiday gift to experience inner care. Spirit Gate Breathing is a natural technique that brings an overall sense of calm to the body and mind. This virtual session is free and will take place on December 15, 2025. REGISTER
Qi Thursday
Come practice almost every Thursday evening The dragon floats on the sea. This Qigong form will carry us through the winter season and nourish Kidney Qi. Join us
Yin Yang of the season: Winter
This program opens our year-long seasonal series, in which Master Lu reveals how Yin and Yang form the blueprint of your physical, emotional, and spiritual life. For seven days, Master Lu guides you to experience how your inner world responds to Winter’s Yin and Yang. By means of Wu Ming Qigong practices, seasonal Eating-for-Healing principles and insights rooted in Chinese psychology – and how your inner dialogue shapes your energy, emotions and direction in life. This virtual program runs from January 18 – 25, 2026. REGISTER