Free Opening the Heart Qigong Guide + Guided Video Practice
Explore Wuji foundations, eight core practices and the six-stage journey in a 10-page guide, with a guided video practice to help you begin. Enter your email to receive them.
Stage 1 Companion Guide — KI22: Creating Space. Included in the complete Opening the Heart Qigong programme. The free sample guide is separate.
The Six-Stage Journey
Stage 1 · KI22 — Walking Corridor: Creating Space Our journey begins by creating space within the body. Through gentle Body Swings, spinal movement, breathing and quiet standing, we begin to recognise where we may be holding unnecessary tension. Rather than forcing the chest or Heart to open, we learn to soften, breathe and allow movement to become more natural. This first stage establishes the foundations of the programme: awareness, relaxation, connection and creating space without losing support.
Stage 2 · KI23 — Spirit Seal: Softening Protection As awareness develops, we begin to explore the ways we protect and hold ourselves. The shoulders, chest, ribs and upper back can carry patterns of unnecessary tension. Through gentle movement, breath and awareness, we explore how to soften this holding while maintaining healthy structure and support. The intention is not to remove protection, but to recognise what is useful and gradually release effort that is no longer needed. Softness does not mean weakness, and opening does not require force.
Stage 3 · KI24 — Spirit Ruins: Releasing Old Holding As we move into Stage 3, we begin to explore deeper patterns of tension and holding that may have developed over time. Having created space and begun to soften unnecessary protection, we now turn our attention towards the foundations of the body — our feet, legs, hips and connection to the earth. Through gentle weight shifting, grounded standing, breathing and flowing movement, we discover how support from below can allow greater freedom and relaxation through the upper body. Rather than trying to force tension to release, we learn to recognise how the whole body works together. As the lower body becomes more connected, balanced and responsive, the chest, shoulders and Heart can gradually soften without losing strength or stability. Releasing old holding is not about letting everything go, but discovering what we no longer need to carry.
Stage 4 · KI25 — Spirit Storehouse: The Heart Has a Back
Explore how the spine, shoulder blades and ribs support the front, sides and back of the chest, allowing the Heart to open with less effort.
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Stage 5 · KI26 — Comfortable Chest
Continue to develop ease through the chest, bringing gentle movement, breathing and awareness together without forcing the body to open.
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Stage 6 · KI27 — Transport Mansion
Bring the journey together through familiar practices, quiet standing and reflection, carrying greater awareness and ease into everyday life.
Our Core Practices
Returning with New Depth
The course returns to eight core practices throughout. As you revisit them, you can notice more in your movement, breathing and awareness.
1. Body Swings — Gentle swinging movements release tension and help the body find a natural rhythm.
2. Spine Compass — Movements grow from small to larger as you explore greater ease through the spine, ribs and shoulders.
3. Breath of the Heart — Flowing, full-body Qigong movements encourage deeper breathing and help the body open.
4. Opening the Heart Qigong — Flowing movements gently open and soften the chest, then settle into the classic Hugging the Tree holding posture.
5. Taiji Commencement — The opening movements of Taiji connect the feet, centre, arms and breath.
6. Touch & Point Awareness — Gentle touch helps you locate each point and notice sensations without trying to force a result.
7. Draw Energy Down from the Sky — A slow, settling movement encourages release through the body toward the ground.
8. Quiet Standing (Wuji) — Stillness gives you time to feel the effects of practice and rest in a balanced posture.
Each practice can be adapted for different energy levels, including seated options.
What You May Notice
With regular practice, you may notice fuller, more comfortable breathing and less unnecessary tension through your chest, shoulders and back. Your spine and shoulders may move more freely, while your posture feels easier and more supported. Flowing movements can bring warmth and energy; quiet standing gives you time to settle and feel grounded.
Returning to these practices helps you recognise what your body needs and adapt your practice from day to day. Some changes may be subtle. Listen to your body and let the practice develop without forcing a result.