Discharge Technique – Releasing Excess or Disruptive Energy
During Qigong, it’s not uncommon for the body to awaken or attract more Qi than the nervous system is initially able to handle. While this is a positive sign of the practice working — increasing sensitivity, vitality, and internal movement — it can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for beginners or during particularly deep sessions.
Over time, regular practice strengthens and refines the nervous system, increasing its capacity to hold, circulate, and integrate larger amounts of energy. However, in the early stages, or during periods of emotional or energetic intensity, you may encounter sensations such as dizziness, agitation, light-headedness, irritability, nausea, headaches, or feeling ungrounded. These are not signs that something is going wrong — they are indicators that your system is experiencing a strong energetic charge that needs to be safely regulated.
The Discharge Technique is a practical and essential tool for such moments. It offers a simple, embodied method to release excess or disruptive energy from the body, especially when it has become stuck in the upper centres — such as the head, chest, or emotional field — and is unable to flow downward or outward naturally.
This technique helps restore energetic balance by:
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Encouraging groundedness and reconnection with the Earth
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Calming and regulating the nervous system
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Supporting emotional clarity by helping you let go of residual charge
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Preventing energetic congestion or mental overstimulation
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Allowing the system to reset and integrate the practice more harmoniously
It can be used at the end of a session if you feel unsettled or energetically “full”, or at any time during the day if you feel you’ve taken on more than your system can manage — such as after intense interaction, emotional overwhelm, or overexposure to stimulating environments.
While Qigong often brings vitality and stillness, the journey also includes learning how to disperse and release. The Discharge Technique is part of that learning — a valuable skill for remaining safe, steady, and empowered within your inner work.
Practice Guide
Please watch the video to see the discharge technique.
[insert video]
A written description of the technique is provided at the Exercise Files tab.
After you have watched the video, and practiced the technique, please write down your experience in the Course Journal.