Movement for unwinding meridians and holding patterns in the nervous system. This is a spin on “bowls of rice” qi gong move by using a ball balanced on the hand, for added proprioception (our awareness of our bodies movement in space) and introduces some fine motor skills for extra sensorimotor input - to down-regulate an active amygdala (fight/flight response). I’ve been really drawn to this exercise lately because from a qi gong view - I feel it opening the shao yang and small intestine meridians. Shao yang in KMS acupuncture theory, is directly related to the ANS (autonomic nervous system) and specifically stress & sympathetic overdrive (fight/flight). The small intestine is responsible for sorting information for the heart to know and remember. This meridian often gets stagnant from excessive screen time and media consumption, showing up in the body as eye strain, and neck/shoulder tension/pain and sleep issues.

I also appreciate the movement being in a spiral motion which really embodies the notion of “unwinding” our system. You can start with the first movement for a few cycles to warm up the joints and meridians. Once warm, if mobility is available, practice the whole spiral motion over the head. Can you notice your breathing while focussing on movement? Does it change when the movement requires more concentration? Can you do parts of the movement with your eyes closed, sensing your body in space? Can you feel your system settling? Your shoulders or arms releasing tension?