Mental Clarity is a state of mind that is awake, discerning, and in the present moment. The opposite of mental clarity is a cloudy mind, foggy mind or pensive mind that is filled with thoughts and worries. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a clear and focused mind depends on the state of your Yi spirit, or Intention Consciousness. The Yi is the aspect of your mind that can focus, make decisions, and direct your thoughts. 

Yi, often translated as intention or intent, refers to the focused mental aspect of one's consciousness. It involves the directing of energy through mental concentration and visualization, serving as a fundamental element in qigong practices. Shen, on the other hand, encompasses the broader concept of spirit and higher consciousness. It represents the divine, transcendent aspect of the human spirit and is considered the ultimate expression of one's vitality. The integration of Yi and Shen within qigong practices emphasizes the power of mindful intention and spiritual awareness in cultivating and circulating Qi (life energy) throughout the body. Through disciplined practice, you can harmonize your Yi and Shen, fostering a balance that promotes overall well-being and a deeper connection to the universal life force.

The Yi is rooted in the Spleen. If the Spleen and it’s organ pair the Stomach are weak or stagnant, the mind cannot focus or make decisions with confidence. This is often accompanied by physical symptoms of a “foggy mind”, heaviness in the forehead and lethargy. A weak or stagnant Spleen is most common during the rainy season in Late Summer (August-October, depending on the country) when the weather is humid and unpredictable.

Qigong Flow for Mental Clarity is a great routine to nourish the Yi, improve focus and help make decisions. It is a healing practice if you feel tired or mentally overwhelmed due to over thinking, stress, and worry. The beginning of the routine focuses on purging excess energy from the mind, and pumping earth Qi through the legs. Flowing movements are designed to strengthen the spleen, stomach and lower dān tián in the abdomen (sometimes called the second brain), thus nourishing the Yi spirit.

The dān tián (丹田, or “elixir field”) is understood to be the center of vital energy and the main source of physical and spiritual power. The lower dān tián, located in the center of gravity in your abdomen, is responsible for the storage, transformation, and circulation of energy throughout the body.

In addition, the brain aspect of the mind is connected to the flow of cerebral spinal fluid through the spinal cord. When the spinal cord fluid is dehydrated and not flowing, the Qi in the brain becomes weak. Therefore in this routine we will begin with by clearing stagnation in the spine, brain, and spleen. This is followed by flowing movements that balance the earth element and circulate Qi through the Three Dān tián and Central Meridian channel to enliven the brain. All Qigong movements promote deep abdominal breathing which also sends oxygen to the brain for a clear mind.

This program pairs well with Qigong Flow for Detoxification.