With feet together, bring your weight to your right leg and step out to the left. Keeping your knees bent, shoulders dropped, and palms facing your lower tan tien, you are in the rest position.
Reach out with your right hand, palm facing up, to gather yang energy from heaven, keeping your shoulder loose, slowly turn your palm to face the earth, gathering yin qi, as your palm nearly touches your lower tan tien. Push your hand straight back behind you, continuing this smooth arcing motion.
Begin the same movement with your left hand when your right is extended just in front of you and to the right. Continue this swimming motion, breathing deep, coordinating inhales with your right hand moving toward your body and your exhales with your right hand moving away from your body. This beautifully simple exercise evokes a swimming dragon moving through the ocean.
Gently turn your head from side to side, your gaze following the hand that moves behind you. Gently close your eyes, and imagine that you are filled with light. Your arms extend far beyond your fingertips, and your feet sink deep into the earth.
Keep your joints loose and your body flexible. Stretch out to open qi flow through your shoulders. Maintain a steady and deep-breathing rhythm with your slow and fluid movement. Imagine energy smoothly flowing through your body.
Gently come to a stop and return to the rest position.
