Time Wise - When To Practice Qigong

There are many theories on the best time of day to practice qigong.

Some people believe that working out early in the morning at the time yang energy grows is the best option. Others believe that a couple of hours after your largest meal of the day is a good time.

I believe that your body will tell you the best time by intuitively moving you to practice. Once you determine the best time for you, do try to practice at the same time each day.

There are, however, some beneficial and interesting things to know about time-of-day. In Tradition Chinese Medicine, certain hours of the day correspond to certain energetic channels, organs of the body, and emotions.

If you are experiencing illness or emotional distress, you may want to practice at a time within the two-hour period which corresponds to the area of your complaint. Doing this takes advantage of enhanced energy in that area, and promotes additional curative benefits.

Hour of
Rat 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM: gall bladder: anger

Ox 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM: liver: anger

Tiger 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM: lungs: sorrow, anxiety

Rabbit 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM: large intestine: sorrow, anxiety

Dragon 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM: stomach: pensiveness, over-concentration

Snake 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM: spleen: pensiveness, over-concentration

Horse 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: heart: joy (overexcitement), grief

Sheep 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM: small intestine: joy (overexcitement), grief

Monkey 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM: bladder: fear

Rooster 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM: kidneys: fear

Dog 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM: pericardium: joy (overexcitement), grief

Pig 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM: triple burner: joy (overexcitement), grief

The triple burner (or san jiao) is not a recognized organ in Western medicine. Chinese medicine considers this a connector and coordinator of the functions of all the organs as well as an energy regulator. Unless you have another preference, this would be an all-around good time of day to practice qi gong.