Yoga and Qigong

In yoga class this morning, I noticed several overlaps between yoga postures and Qigong exercises. Most noticeable was how similar the yoga practice of pelvic rocking matches up with the Qigong clearing practice of bouncing. The yoga form is done lying down while the Qigong form is done standing up. But, the resultant effect on the body is quite similar.

Both practices work the back and pelvic areas, help loosen the spine and help relax the neck. The key difference--in Qigong there seems to be more attention to the breath and the flow of energies, along with the physical activity. It's not that I couldn't also pay more attention to breath and energy flow while doing the yoga. It just hasn't been as strongly suggested in yoga classes as is done in Qigong.

For me, given where my attention is at this time, I was able to do the pelvic rocking and maintain that subtle contact with the life force, as well as watch my breath in a Qigong fashion.