A 30-second Exercise to Boost Your Energy

A long winter is nearing its end. Our mind is already riding on the wings of spring, yet our body drags its feet, still not quite awake from a wintry dormant stage. It’s easy to overdo things in this spring excitement and end up with the mind and body out of sync.

To bring the mind and body together, and more importantly to increase your energy levels, I would like to introduce a 30-second exercise called Unity Posture, one of the 12 mindful movements. You can watch the video (Posture #12) if you are visual learner.

Using Unity Posture to Boost Your Inner Energy

Unity Posture enhances the functions of your liver by stimulating the Liver Meridian, which begins from the big toe, ascends through the inner thigh and the lateral torso, and arrives in the liver.

The liver is a vital organ for energy metabolism and storage of nutrients, without which we cannot digest food and defend ourselves against germs and viral invasion. We get easily tired when the liver functions less than optimally.

Fortunately, the liver is incredibly resilient and can regenerate itself through rest, diet and moderate exercise.

About Unity Posture

This exercise helps you develop sense of balance and the ability to link each part of the body to the core. It is a challenging movement because you stand on a single leg and perform multiple movements.

It becomes easier with practice one step at a time, very slowly. It’s a rewarding experience. The key is in cultivating your internal awareness of the changes in your body so you can adapt to the changes and better control your body.

Practice tip: The less you try to control your body, the better flow you feel. If you feel imbalanced, usually resulting from awkwardness, repeat the step you already know and then familiarize your mind with the new steps one at a time. In time, you will feel more confident, relaxed and balanced. If necessary, you may use a chair to support yourself and enhance your balance.

How To Practice:

1. From natural stance, raise your arms sideways and inhale.

2. Place your left upper ankle above your right knee and gently bend the standing leg. Keep your arms open. Exhale.

3. Inhaling, bring your hands to the front of your chest. Exhaling, gently bend your standing knee. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds.

4. Place your left foot on the ground, raising your arms. Inhale.

5. Place your right upper ankle above your left knee and gently bend the standing leg. Keep your arms open. Exhale.

6. Inhaling, bring your hands to the front of your chest. Exhaling, gently bend your standing knee. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds.

7. Place your right foot on the ground while raising your arms. Inhale.

8. Return to natural stance. Exhale.

You can watch a demonstration of this movement in this video.(This is the 12th movement in the MBX-12 sequence.)

This article is adapted from the book, Mindful Movement: Mastering Your Hidden Energy

For more MBX-12 Exercise Articles, go to MBX-12 page.