The lymphatic system moves by muscle contraction. That means that when we move, our lymph moves and when our lymph moves our immune function is increased and our tissues are cleaned more effectively.

How often do we hear that exercise is good for us? Moving our lymphatic fluid is part of that benefit.

BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT
	Increased immune function
	Promotes blood circulation
	Increased metabolism
	Promotes healthy muscles
	Enhance mood
	Opens energy channels
	Promotes energy movement
	Prevents stagnation/disease

When we move, our muscles contract and relax – it is a two-step process. If we are stressed, or our muscles are chronically tight, our muscles may contract but not relax. This will inhibit lymphatic flow. By trying these simple movements, we relax and encourage lymphatic and energetic movement.

There are some very specific ways that we can move which will open up our energy channels or meridians that run through the chest. The intention behind these movements is to enhance breast health.

There are two parts to learning these exercises. First, get familiar with the movements. Second, learn to observe how your body feels when the energy is moving in your system. This second skill takes time to develop. Pay attention to how you feel before and after doing these exercises. Try to stay focused on the movement of your body through space as you do them. After each exercise, stay still and breathe three breaths. This will help you learn to observe how energy feels as it moves through your system. The period of stillness that follows the movement is as important as the movement itself. This is where the body heals itself.

Breathe naturally as your do these movements; they should not cause any strain.

These exercises are part of an instructional video called Creating Breast Health.

If you have any health concerns, check with your doctor before trying these exercises.

EXERCISE ONE

Part One:

Stand comfortably. Feel your feet on the floor. Feel the sturdiness of your stance. Take a deep breathe.

Part Two:

Raise your hands up, facing out about shoulder height. Slowly extend your arms straight out in front of you.

Part Three:

Then pull your arms back as shown in the pictures below. Repeat this movement series for one minute.

Part Four:

Rest your arms by your side and close your eyes. Hold still for 30 seconds (minimum) and breathe. This is the time to learn by observation. Notice what you feel in your body. There is no right or wrong thing to feel, this is very unique to you.

This part of the exercise is important for several reasons. In the yogic philosophy, the time we spend resting in between poses is the time that the body heals itself. From a neurological perspective, when we take the time to feel inside our body, we develop neural pathways between our brain and that part of our body. This benefits us in two main ways: 1) As we become more sensitive to what is happening in our body, we will notice more easily if something does not feel right. For example if the energy is stagnating or the muscles are tight and causing tension. 2) It increases our mind body relationship. This helps us learn to relax our body more easily.

These exercises are part of an instructional video called Creating Breast Health.

EXERCISE TWO

Start by noticing your feet on the ground. Feel the sturdiness of your stance. Relax and take a deep breathe.

Part Two:

Hold on hand up close to your shoulder with the palm facing out. Hold the other hand with your arm outstretched, palm up.

Part Three:

Switch places with each hand. As the left hand comes in and up, it turns so the palm is facing out. The right hand moves down and the palm turns upwards as in this next series of photos. Sometimes this one feels awkward at first. Try it a few times until it becomes a smooth movement from one to the other. Breathe slowly and rhythmically as you move.

Part Four:

Rest again with your eyes closed and again notice how it feels

These exercises are part of an instructional video called Creating Breast Health.

EXERCISE THREE

Shake your shoulder and arm to release tension. This is a great one to do with your kids! If you feel tension anywhere else as you shake, shake that too! Try to shake for one whole minute and even longer if you like!

If you would like to learn more about Qi Gong, try reading this ebook.