Our Healing Hands

Welcome to this session on exploring the hands. For us women, the hands are powerful tools for connecting with the world around us. As mentioned in another session, women naturally carry receptive energy — we sense and absorb what happens within our closest circles, such as family or community. Through the hands, we reach outward to give and support. We can also turn them inward to offer ourselves healing, comfort, and attention. You may place your hands directly on the body or hold them near specific areas — either way, the connection is real. The body has its own intelligence, and the hands communicate directly with it. In the center of each palm lies a point called Lao Gong. This point connects energetically to the Dantian, the body’s energy center in the lower abdomen — our inner battery. When we’re stressed, we often clench or close the palms, blocking this space. In Qigong, we gently open it — like a flower unfolding — allowing energy to spread in all directions. The fingers follow naturally, relaxed and alive. Let’s explore this. Stand with your feet parallel, knees slightly bent to loosen the hips, lower abdomen, and back. Feel your connection to the ground. Let your hands rise to the level of your heart, as if holding a round ball of energy in front of you. Now open that space gently. Keep a soft roundness through the arms and wrists, avoiding sharp angles. All the joints — from shoulders to fingertips — stay connected in one smooth curve. Lower the shoulders and breathe. Inhale to open the space a little wider, exhale to close it. Again — inhale, opening; exhale, closing. Let the palms face the chest and heart. Lower the hands to the level of the lower abdomen. Inhale to open, exhale to close. If you feel stiffness or the breathing wants to change, allow it. Generally, opening corresponds with inhaling; closing with exhaling. Keep the hands at the lower abdomen. Turn the palms upward — notice how this feels. This movement connects with Yang — rising, energizing — lifting up to the level of the heart. Now let the thumbs turn inward, palms facing down, and release the hands down to the level of the hips. Turn the palms upward again, following the body’s midline up to the heart, then back down. Inhale as the hands rise, exhale as they lower. You may take several breaths through each motion. Feel the downward movement as Yin — grounding and settling; the upward as Yang — light and expansive. To finish, draw a large circle with your arms. Inhale as the hands rise, focusing on the openness and softness of your palms. Exhale as they descend along the center line of the body. Make a smaller circle, bringing the hands together at the chest. Inhale, exhale, and let the fingers drop. Open the palms and rest them over your lower abdomen, thumbs near the navel. Notice the warmth of your hands. You may feel subtle movement under the palms as you breathe. Stay with this connection for a few moments. When you’re ready, gently come out of the position. Thank you for this session.