7 Ideas to Move from Your Centre

Collection: Qi Gong

In Qi Gong, balance is more than just physical stability—it’s about aligning body, mind, and energy around a central point. At the heart of this balance is your centre of gravity, an internal anchor that determines how you move through the world with strength, precision, and fluidity.

Reflection for this week

When you feel out of balance, what is your central point of gravity? Do you perceive this physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually?

Move like an Egg

On the North Sea Tai Chi Festival in August, I attended an inspiring workshop with Sam Franklin, about the 'stick and the egg'. Imagine holding an egg. No matter how you tilt it, the egg always rolls back to the same position, seeking its centre. In martial arts, the concept is similar: your centre of gravity is like the egg’s core, always drawing you back to your point of equilibrium. The stick is the axis through which you align to gravity - which we've played with a lot in this week's Qi Studio classes!

When you move from this centre—whether stepping into a posture, carrying the shopping, reaching out to catch something—you are connected to the ground and able to maintain stability no matter what external forces you encounter.

Why Your Centre Matters

1. Effortless Stability
   Like the egg, you naturally return to balance when you understand and connect with your centre. This allows for effortless movements, reducing the strain on muscles and joints. The power comes from within, not from external force.

2. Efficient Movement
   When your actions arise from your centre, your movements become more efficient. You conserve energy and flow gracefully, much like a wave returning to the shore. This efficiency translates into quicker reactions, better control, and heightened awareness in both your movement practice and daily life.

3. Resilience and Power
   A strong sense of your centre makes you less likely to be thrown off balance—literally and figuratively. This resilience helps you stand strong in the winds and waves of life. When rooted in your centre, you have a greater capacity to absorb, redirect and transform energy with ease.

4. Connection to the Ground
   Your center of gravity is a link between the Earth and your body. Just as the egg’s centre constantly finds its balance on a surface, you too draw strength and stability from your connection to the ground. This grounding ensures that your movements are powerful, centered, and aligned with natural forces.

Bringing Balance into Your Everyday Life

To cultivate this awareness, here are a few key tips:

1. Know Your Centre: Take time to feel your centre. It's located below the navel, around the lower abdomen or hips. Begin with gentle movements, paying attention to how your body shifts around this point.

2. Ground Yourself: Feel your connection to the Earth. Just as the egg rolls back to its center, allow yourself to settle into the ground beneath you, rooting your energy so you can act with power and stability.

3. Move from Your Core: However you move, try this week to initiate every movement from your centre. This keeps your balance intact and helps you move more fluidly.

Like the egg, finding balance isn’t about rigid control. It’s about allowing yourself to naturally align with your core—your point of gravity—so that every movement flows effortlessly. This principle, while central to martial arts, extends into every aspect of life. When we move from our center, we’re grounded, balanced, and powerful.

Please leave a comment below if you have any reflections you'd like to share!

In balance and strength,

Eline