10 Ways to Sneak Qigong Into Your Day (Without anyone thinking you are crazy)

10 Ways to Sneak Qigong Into Your Day (Without anyone thinking you are crazy)

You know that feeling when you're standing in line at the coffee shop, stress-grinding your teeth, mentally rehearsing an argument with someone who isn't even there? Yeah, that's where most of us live now.

Here's the thing nobody tells you: Ancient wisdom isn't just for monks who own one orange robe and somehow look serene all the time. New Forest® Paradigm figured out what mystics worldwide have known forever—we're all running the same software, just different versions. Whether you're doing tai chi in Beijing or yoga in Brooklyn, the bodymind is basically the same.

So what if you could feel better right now—like, while reading this post? No special equipment, no app subscription, no influencer telling you to buy their $89 breathing course. By the way, we do teach this stuff, so you could learn more and take a class in person or online.

First, A Memory Trick (That's Actually Worth Remembering)

Before we dive in, you need this mnemonic. It's like a cheat code for your nervous system. Say it out loud three times—yes, even if you're reading this on the toilet:

1 Fun, 2 Shoe, 3 Tree, 4 Core, 5 Alive, 6 Thick, 7 Heaven, 8 Gate, 9 Shine, 10 Spin

Seriously, pause. Say it. Your future self waiting in the DMV line will thank you.

Once you've got it, these numbers become your mental Swiss Army knife. Stuck in a soul-crushing meeting? Hit number 1. Feeling scattered and anxious? Try number 4. Want to feel like a slightly magical version of yourself? Go through all ten while pretending to listen to your coworker's vacation photos.

The best part? Each number gets deeper every time you use it. It's like replaying your favorite game and discovering secret levels. In 25 years, you'll be sitting somewhere and suddenly think, "Holy moly, relaxation is actually profound," and you'll remember this moment.

The 10 Adjustments (Your New Secret Superpowers)

Here's the key: Don't try too hard. This isn't CrossFit for your consciousness. Light touch. Easy does it. Think less "MUST. ACHIEVE. ENLIGHTENMENT." and more "Oh, that's interesting."

1. Fun: The Smile Waterfall

Try this RIGHT NOW: Whatever you're doing—reading this, sitting, breathing—add fun to it. Imagine warm smiles flowing down through your entire body like honey. Front, center, back. Whisper to yourself: "I am Relaxed, Alert, and Aware."

Yeah, it feels weird at first. Do it anyway. This is what people who seem mysteriously chill are secretly doing.

2. Shoe: Ground Control to Major You

Stop. Feel whatever part of you is touching the earth right now. Your feet. Your butt in the chair. Really feel it. Say: "Feel the Ground!"

This is clutch when you're anxious. Anxiety lives in your head, spinning stories. Your feet touching the floor? That's now. That's real. Can't panic about future meetings when you're busy feeling your actual feet.

3. Tree: Rooting Like You've Been Here Forever

Close your eyes for a second. Imagine roots growing from you—thick, strong roots going down 2-3 times your height into the earth. Say: "Sink My Roots!"

Use this when someone's pissing you off and you need to stay calm. Use it when you feel scattered. Use it when you're about to have a difficult conversation. Instant emotional stability upgrade.

4. Core: Your Personal Power Reactor

Focus on a spot about 3½ inches below your belly button, deep inside. Imagine it as a spinning sphere of concentrated energy—like a miniature sun, a fire hydrant ready to burst, a battery at full charge. Say: "Gather Strength Around My Core!"

This is your actual center of gravity, by the way. Athletes know about this spot. Martial artists obsess over it. Now you know too. Game changer for feeling strong when you need it.

5. Alive: Activate Limb Mode

From that core, feel energy shooting out through your arms and legs like water from a fire hose. Not trickle—blast. Say: "Extend Chi Through Legs and Arms!"

Great for when you need to do something. Presentation? Turn on the fire hoses. Playing with your kids? Fire hoses. Dancing? You get it. Suddenly your body has PURPOSE.

6. Thick: Moving Through Honey

Notice the air. Not like thinking about it—actually feel it against your skin. Imagine you're moving through warm water or thick molasses. Say: "Feel the Air!"

This one slows you down in the best way. Everything becomes more intentional. You stop rushing through life like you're being chased. Bonus: Makes you instantly more graceful.

7. Heaven: The Invisible String

Feel a gentle upward pull at the crown of your head, like a puppet string to the sky, but made of light. Say: "Feel the Sky!"

Your posture just got better without effort. Your mood lifted slightly. You're now connected to earth (from #2) and sky. You're literally plugged into the whole universe. No big deal.

8. Gate: Breathing In Everything Good

Every breath in, imagine drawing energy from everywhere—through your skin, your bones, every cell. You're absorbing all the good vibes in a ten-mile radius. Say: "Absorb the Chi!"

This is especially good in nature, but honestly? It works in your kitchen. In traffic. Anywhere. The world is constantly offering you energy. Most people just never accept the gift.

9. Shine: Human Lighthouse Mode

Feel yourself glowing. Radiating. You're a human lightbulb spreading good energy in all directions. Say: "Exude Positive Energy!"

Real talk: This changes how people respond to you. Not in a woo-woo way—in a "your nervous system is calm, so their nervous system relaxes" way. Dogs and babies will like you more. It's weird.

10. Spin: The Juggling Act

Now lightly bounce between all nine. Touch number 1, let it go. Float to number 5. Let it go. Visit number 7. It's called "Focus and Forget"—like spinning plates, keeping them all going without gripping any one too tight. Say: "Focus and Forget!"

This is the advanced move. But once you get it? You're basically operating at a different level than everyone frantically gripping one thought at a time.

How to Actually Use This Stuff

Look, you're not going to do all ten every time. That's not the point.

Stuck in traffic? Try number 6 (feel the air) and watch your road rage dissolve.

Can't sleep? Numbers 1, 2, and 3 will drop you into your body and out of your spinning thoughts.

Need confidence before a big thing? Hit 4, 5, and 9. You'll walk in radiating "I've got this" energy.

Feeling disconnected and weird? Go through all ten slowly. It's like a factory reset for your nervous system.

Just want to feel better right now? Pick literally any number. They all work.

The secret is: These aren't just visualizations. They're actually changing your nervous system, your posture, your breath, your energy. Science is catching up to what traditions have known forever—your body and mind aren't separate. Change one, you change both.

The Part Where We Get Real

Here's what nobody tells you about practices like this: They work. Not in a "manifesting a Mercedes" way, but in a "you'll handle your life better and feel more alive" way.

After 38 years of this, it just gets more interesting. That's not hyperbole. These ten doorways have infinite depth. You could spend a lifetime with just number 1, as long as you find a way to engage the beginner's mind!

Want to go deeper? Sifu Fey wrote Morning Cup of QiGong specifically for people who want more. There are refined techniques, specific movements, whole worlds of Qi flow. But these ten? These ten you can start right now. In line at the grocery store. At your desk. While your in-laws are talking. If you want to learn Tai Chi and Qigong, join our community! We have 4 different classes to choose from in Crestwood or the Vestavia Hills Civic Center or the Online course

The best time to start was 25 years ago. The second-best time is literally right now, wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

So... what number are you going to try first?

P.S. - In 2055, you're going to be sitting somewhere, probably complaining about whatever the kids are doing with their brain implants, and you'll suddenly have a profound moment about number 1. We tried to warn you. It's that deep.