Reactions and results

By bringing the body weight forward on to the balls of the feet during exercising, the muscles in the legs and lower abdomen can relax and the mind can become calm. A force from the earth through the feet and legs to the lower abdomen can be experienced. This force can induce two reactions; internal or external bodily movement and emotional release.

The internal force can cause sensations like coldness, wind, itching or warmth to move to the extremities of the body. If they are sent to the hands and feet, we can see a change of colour: first they become red or blue and change back to normal colour.

The internal force can cause sensations like coldness, wind, itching or warmth to move to the extremities of the body. If they are sent to the hands and feet, we can see a change of colour: first they become red or blue and change back to normal colour. Sometimes white spots may occur beneath the skin. These types of reaction are called Binqi-reactions. Binqi is a general name for negative elements in the body. Usually the internal and external movement will spread out over the entire body: starting with vibrations, followed by jumping, kneeling, prostrating, dancing, martial postures. Finally, the person may want to sit or lie down. We can see that the internal forces correct the body posture in a spontaneous way. In general, the movements are more vigorous with young people, while the aged have slower and softer movements.

Continuously quietening the mind can also allow the release of emotional information. People with emotional stress may start to cry, shout, sigh, laugh and sing. Yawning and burping, sweating and farting often accompany these emotional releases.

After one or more sessions of Spontaneous movement great changes can be experienced in the body. Most practitioners feel more lightweight than before and report reduced or vanishing pain, itching and swelling. Also negative emotions change: after the lesson most practitioners feel relieved and happy. This occurs because physical and emotional tensions, which have accumulated in the body, have been released during exercise. In some cases even chronic complaints related to long term illness and unaffected by traditional western or Chinese medicine can be much improved by spontaneous movement.

During the first few sessions, sometimes less pleasant reactions can occur. Internal movement consumes a large quantity of energy. If a practitioner has not eaten adequately, the blood sugar level can drop and cause dizziness or shock. In the first instance, internal movements cause Binqi to be moved through the body. If this movement is blocked, for instance in the stomach, vomiting can be a reaction. In practice, this occurs only if the hands are not opened enough during the exercises, preventing Binqi from being expelled through the hands.