In Conversation with Tony Barrak
Tony Barrak is a QiGong, Taoist Microcosmic orbit and meditation instructor based in Lebanon.
In this interview Tony shares about the benefits of QiGong and Taoism, how it can enhance our overall well-being, what to expect in a session and how he stays grounded on the daily.
What are Qigong and Taoist meditation?
Qigong, is a practice and healing techniques that were developed in ancient China, It is practiced for a variety of reasons and has countless benefits, it focuses on meditation, breathing, and movement to connect with the energy in the body to heal and align itself.
Taoist meditation and microcosmic orbiting are energy cultivation techniques, they involve breathing exercises in conjunction with meditation, concentration, and visualization techniques which develop the flow of energy along certain pathways of energy in the human body, nourishing the organs and systems, strengthening the immune system, increasing energy levels, and reducing the internal stress that causes physical illness.
What happens in a typical session?
In a class environment we start by bringing our attention to our body, the breath, and the energy within us and all around us, then we proceed with the active meditation which is a combination of movement and awareness, the stretches are unique in a way that they focus on the nerves to activate and rehabilitate them, it also affects the posture and symmetrical alignment, which can allow better positioning of the organs, better blood flow, and overall neurological function.
We typically end the practice with an “Inner healing smile/light” meditation, or a light breathwork session, sometimes I personally give a mix of both, and add some other forms of meditations and hypnotic techniques.
In a 1:1 session we add “Inner healing sounds” and “Microcosmic orbit” to release negative stored emotions or memories, stimulate the energy, channel it from the root to where it’s needed, and if necessary, based on what the person experience or need to deal with, I might follow up with Hypnotherapy or Timeline therapy.
Who can attend a session?
Anyone from any age range can attend a 1:1 session as it would be tailored to their current state, needs, difficulties, and goals. As for classes some caution needs to be applied in case of severe injuries, illnesses, and pregnancies, in that case it’s better to have the approval of a doctor first, or at least a detailed explanation so I can pay more attention to what they need to skip or how long they can stay in a posture in it’s original or modified form.
How did you get into Qigong?
So I was already trying to mix psychology with fitness, since I used to be a life coach who uses NLP, Hypnotherapy, Timeline therapy, and Fitness as modalities, to guide people into overcoming their challenges in body and mind. And I was always interested in experimenting with meditation and spiritual growth, with a passion for philosophy and specially the ones originating from far eastern cultures, or any ancient culture for that matter, during a rough time I found out about a course in spiritual integration with NLP which I was already familiar with, during the course we focused mainly on Taoist practices and Qigong, and that was the answer for me, the integration of body mind and soul.
My practice started getting better and better, and I started to implement what I’ve learned with my coaching clients and immediately noticed how beneficial it can be, but it wasn’t until a personal setback and a major injury, that I really dwelled deep into the practice, and started researching and practicing more advanced methods, to then experimenting multiple times with prolonged water fasting states of 3 days or more, and in one instance for 10 days, while listening to the body, allowing the meditative fasted state to guide, and witnessing the healing effects on both the body and mind.
Your sun sign: Sagittarius
Your personal mantra: It’s better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.
Your favourite place to relax: In nature, in the breath, barefoot on the ground, laying down on grass, under a tree, on the sand, or in water…
What is your morning ritual? Ideally, light breathwork, some Qigong moves and stretches while heating some water for a warm cup of whatever I feel like having each day, doing some active meditation and mentally getting ready for the day while gazing towards the sea, the sky or trees… Then exercise as hard as I can with a mix of weight lifting and bodyweight workouts.
What are your other ways of staying grounded on the daily? Cruising in the car or the motorcycle, music, cooking, playing with my niece, or animals, attending other teachers’ classes, hugs, an in the now human connection with or without conversing, or conscious intimate lovemaking.
Tony Barrak is currently giving classes and private sessions in various spaces in Tripoli, Batroun, Fidar, and Beirut. You can also find him offering workshops in different retreats.
Get in touch with Tony Barrak by email barraktony@gmail.com | on instagram @barrak.tony | mobile +9613385929
