Generally speaking, it is inadvisable to practise Qigong too soon after eating – at least two hours after a heavy meal (at least one hour and ideally three). If you try to practise, and thus open gateways and activate your Qi flow while the stomach and colon are still digesting food, you could cause indigestion or an organ blockage, which in turn may affect your absorption and excretion. Furthermore, interrupting the process and the production of postnatal Qi will disturb your replenishment and you will not achieve the full benefit and will perhaps have to rely more on your prenatal Qi.

An exception to this general rule is the practice of Qigong for digestion, which should be practised directly after eating. The idea is to generate warmth to aid the stomach and spleen, which do not like being cold.

• Lie or lean back and relax in a comfortable position so that your stomach is unrestricted and not compressed in any way.

• Gently close your eyes. 

• Place your left hand just below your navel and circle clockwise with your right hand passing gently – or hovering – over your stomach, spleen, descending colon, ascending colon, liver, stomach and so on. 

• After about five minutes, place both hands on your Lower Dantien, thank your stomach and visualise it as healthy, smiling and beaming a yellow light.

• Falling asleep after this practice is normal and healthy and restorative.

If you have digestive issues you may feel some discomfort or pain during or after this practice. This is common and will gradually diminish then disappear. An increase in saliva is indicative of improved conditions.

References

Master Wing Cheung. Qigong Mode and Tai Chi Posture Requirements. Tai Chi, Qigong and Feng Shui Institute (n.d.), p.31.

Image courtesy of University of Leeds: Anatomy: Know Your Abdomen (https://www.leeds.ac.uk/short-online-courses/doc/undergraduate-taster-courses/page/3)